Sake Tasting Benefit, Thursday, May 26
This Thursday, come to Japantown for one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year. This is your chance to sample over 25 sakes and enjoy some Japanese food and culture all for a good cause. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the programs of Yu Ai-Kai Senior Services and its participants. Some of the delicious sakes being poured come from Japan and others from the US, and range over various grades such as daiginjo, ginjo and junmai. This is a great opportunity for connoisseurs and novices alike to sample and learn about a variety of sakes. There will also be a chance to enjoy an Akiyama Premium Sake Tasting, where industry experts will guide more ardent tasters through a special collection of premium sakes and accompanying “small plates” in the James Akiyama Wellness Center’s Sakura Room.

Learn how to Cook an Elegant Lunch, Friday, May 27
With warm weather comes the desire for lighter meals and more ways to entertain friends at home. This Friday, learn how to cook an elegant lunch light as the wing of a butterfly at Draeger’s Cooking School. On the menu will be zucchini vichyssoise,tomato and goat cheese tart and strawberry cheesecake bites in Filo cups for a sweet finish. The class will be taught by Patience Thien.

Edible Gardening Class, Saturday, May 28
Spend Saturday morning with Rosalind Creasy learning how to grow your own food at Palo Alto’s Common Ground center. Rosalind Creasy, pioneer in the field of edible landscaping, award-winning professional photographer, and author of “The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping,” will give a mouth-watering slide presentation. Among the topics she will cover are an A to Z of her recommended beautiful edible plants for home gardens, an overview of the wide variety of edible landscapes, as well as the principles of landscape design particular to edibles.

Port and Chocolate Tasting, Saturday, May 28
Is there a better combination than port and chocolate? None that I can think of, which leads me to believe that there are fewer ways one can better spend a Saturday than tasting the two together. On May 28th, Artisan Wine Depot is having a vintage premium port and madeira tasting paired with handmade chocolates from Snake and Butterfly. A great start to anyone’s weekend.

Sheep Milk Cheese Tasting, Saturday, May 28
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the bounty of California’s cheese goodness. Join Chef Jaimie at Hidden Villa for a 100% California sheep’s milk cheese tasting class. The first stop will be a visit to the wooly creatures themselves where you will learn about sheep care in case you’re considering a flock of your own. The second stop will be the Duveneck house where there will be a banquet of local artisan cheeses with food and wine pairings anyone can recreate at home. There will also be a special guest speaker joining Jaimie to talk more about the cheese making process.