November food events help you get ready for — and enjoy — the holidays

Credit: JIM WITMER

Credit: JIM WITMER

When it comes to the complete calendar year of dining, November is home to one of the country’s favorite meals of the year.

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and more turkey, combined with quality family time and the official kickoff to the December holiday season puts Thanksgiving dinner on the top of the list of meals that many of us know going into each year we will savor the most.

Besides this beloved feast, there are other food events happening this month to savor. Here are a few interesting ones coming up to consider.

>> Local restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 12: Holiday Baking Class

Need a new holiday go-to recipe? Join SPARK Fairborn's kitchen collective for a cooking class highlighting Thanksgiving's favorites — pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll. Each attendee will leave with these two desserts ready for company. The class takes place from 5:30-8 p.m. at Spark Fairborn, 305 W. Main St., Fairborn. Tickets can be purchased via www.eventbrite.com and are $37.40 with fees.

Nov. 14: Bourbon Tasting with Joe Head of The Century Bar

Step into the elé Speakeasy and join elé Cake Co. Bistro & Wine Bar, 3680 Rigby Road, Miamisburg, for a blind bourbon tasting led by Joseph Head of the Century Bar. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just want to sample and talk about bourbon, you're sure to be entertained by this Kentucky Colonel and his one-man bourbon show. Enjoy five bourbons along with a bountiful selection of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, small plates and decadent desserts by Chef Samantha Trick and her culinary team. The cocktail lounge opens at 5:30 p.m. and the event starts at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Visit www.elecakeco.com for more information.

>> Get to know the man behind Dayton’s famous bourbon bar, The Century Bar

Nov. 14, 21, 28: All You Can Eat Crab Legs

Each Wednesday from 4-9 p.m., Basil’s On Market, 312 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, will be offering all you can eat Crab Legs and sides for just $38 per person. Reservations are accepted for groups of any size with a two-hour time window. Sides include signature truffle fries and Basil’s vegetables. On Mondays and Wednesdays, Basil’s offers half-priced bottles of house wine, so grab a bottle and dig in.

Nov. 14, 21, 28: Fresh Oysters at Watermark

Each week, Watermark, 20 S. First St, Miamisburg, features a different variety of the freshest oysters you can find raw or grilled and served with all the accompaniments.

Nov. 15: November Centerville Farmers Market Day

The November and December Centerville Farmers Markets are held the third Thursday of each month from 2:30-6:30 p.m. indoors at the Benham’s Grove Barn, 166 North Main St., Centerville. Fresh produce is where it’s at and this market is a good spot to find it.

Nov. 17: November Holiday Wine Dinner

Zinks Meats & Fine Wines, 409 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton, will be featuring holiday dishes and wines at their dinner from 6-9 p.m. Visit http://zinksmeats.com to learn more and to make your reservation.

Nov. 17: Kids in the Kitchen: Hot Chocolate and Holiday Goodies

Once Upon a Thyme Bookshop, 1275 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek, is teaming up with local Pampered Chef Director Jennifer Jones, to make fun holiday goodies in our kitchen with special hot chocolate. Attendees will get to take home a Pampered Chef mixing bowl (valued at $17). All ages open for this class, but we ask parents to stay with their toddler and pre-school-aged children. The event takes place from noon-1:30 p.m. Visit onceuponathymebookshop.com to learn more.

Nov. 17, 21: Kids Class Turkey Cookie

This is a chance for your child to create a holiday masterpiece. Each child will receive an 8-inch chocolate chip cookie cake with an assortment of icing and demonstrations on how to create their own masterpiece. This ele Cake Company class, 810 E Dixie Drive, West Carrollton City, is geared toward kids creating their very own cookie cake for $15 per child. This class is geared toward kids ages 18 and younger. The class will last approximately 45 minutes.

Credit: File photo

Credit: File photo

Nov. 21: El Meson Thank You Day

El Meson, 903 E Dixie Drive, West Carrollton City, will be hosting its second annual Thank You Day, a day dedicated to its customers. They will be offering lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner from 4:30-9 p.m. Specials of $3 for nachos, battered cauliflower, elote corn bites and veggie meatballs, along with $5 margaritas will be featured.

>> 40 things to love about El Meson

Nov. 29: Wine and Steins

And speaking of El Meson, they love to travel the world in search of the most authentic and delicious dishes to bring back to customers in Dayton. Their special "Wine & Stein" four-course tasting meal will showcase all of the highlights of their most recent trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Tickets to the dinner, which will happen from 6:30-9 p.m., are $40 before tax and gratuity. Purchase tickets online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-and-steins-tickets-49564344288

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