Food

The Week in Food Events: Gingerbread House Decorating, Repeal Day Parties

Plus an oyster shucking class

Cork Market is hosting a kid-friendly gingerbread house decorating party on Sunday. Photograph by Flickr user Lexie Wang.

Party like it’s Prohibition: This Monday marks the 83rd anniversary of the day Prohibition was repealed. To celebrate, Jack Rose Dining Saloon is throwing a party with Prohibition-era cocktails and burlesque performances. Dram & Grain, the cocktail den in the saloon’s basement, will also convert into a 1930s-style speakeasy complete with Prohibition-era bourbons, rye whiskeys, and other vintage spirits.

Game on: Also on Monday, Volt is offering a five-course, game-centric tasting menu inspired by chef Hank Shaw’s newest book Buck, Buck, Goose. Dishes include “Ministra Mariata” (venison brodo, kale, and black winter truffle) and “Steak Dianne” (venison loin, green peppercorns, foie gras, and puréed potatoes). Tickets cost $75 per person and include a signed copy of the book; beverage pairings cost an additional $35. Call 301-696-8658 to make a reservation.

Booze and a book: Get schooled on the history of drinking this Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Columbia Room. Bartender Derek Brown and author Steven Grasse will discuss Grasse’s latest book Colonial Spirits: A Toast to Our Drunken History. Guests will receive a copy of the book along with complimentary food and drinks. Tickets cost $150 per person and can be purchased here.

More Repeal Day festivities: The DC Craft Bartenders’ Guild is holding its ninth annual Repeal Day Ball this Friday from 8 pm to midnight at the Carnegie Library. The popular black-tie event will draw over 600 attendees for a night of drinking cocktails by expert mixologists and dancing to Prohibition-era music. Tickets start at $80; purchase one here.

Ooh la la: This Friday at 11 am, chef Jacques Haeringer of L’Auberge Chez François is teaching Washingtonians how to prepare authentic Parisian classics at home. Participants can sip sparkling wine while learning how to make dishes featuring luxurious ingredients like lobster, caviar, and foie gras. Tickets cost $110 per person; click here to register.

Aw shucks: Head to the Peruvian spot Del Campo for an oyster cooking class on Saturday from noon to 3 pm. Participants can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a signature cocktail while watching chef Victor Albisu demonstrate how to select, shuck, and prepare oysters. Afterward, an oyster-heavy lunch will be served. Click here to purchase a $98 ticket.

Free cake for a cause: Have your cake and feel good about it too at Central Michel Richard on Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm. Chef David Deshaies and his team are hosting a free dessert reception that benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Those who bring an unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation can feast on treats including opera cake, crème caramel, and macaroons. Space is limited; email alexis.polakoff@stjude.org to RSVP.

Gingerbread house decorating: If you and your kids are looking for a festive activity, check out Cork Market’s seventh annual Community Gingerbread House Decorating Party on Sunday. Two sessions will be held at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm, and tickets cost $40 per house. The event sells out every year, so be sure to reserve a spot by emailing events@corkdc.com.

Editorial Fellow

Maxine is an editorial fellow passionate about covering food, news, and politics. Her work has also been published in Forbes, Marie Claire, and Inside Higher Ed. She recently graduated from Brown University with honors in nonfiction writing.