Canton Food Tours is sponsoring Corks and Forks, a wine education-focused dinner and downtown walking tour that concludes with a multicourse meal and dessert at the Canton Club Event Center.
Dave Baloun of Elevage Wine Advisors gives tips on wine and food pairings along the way, while Barbara Abbott of Canton Food Tours leads the group through the various stops including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Onesto Hotel.
The tour is being held on Feb. 19, March 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s $65, and includes a progressive dinner and guided tour with four stops, food and wine pairings, shuttle transportation during the tour if needed, taxes and a goodie bag with wine-related items.
On Feb. 26 and March 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the food tour company is sponsoring a Heat Seekers Dinner that includes four progressively hotter dishes at Basil Asian Bistro, with dessert, beer flight, take-home items, tax and tip, for $47.
For tickets to either event or more information, visit www.CantonFoodTours.com or call 330-495-0929.
Chocolate bash in Akron
Celebrate Valentine’s Day from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the West Point Market’s Chocolate Bash.
The event begins with a sparkling rosé paired with chocolate and Parmesan cheese fondue and hand-dipped chocolate strawberries.
There are tasting stations for wines, beers and cheeses that complement chocolate; chocolate-inspired appetizers and center-of-the-plate creations from the West Point kitchen, along with chocolate desserts from the bakery.
The event is $30, which includes a $5 gift certificate that may be used for purchases that evening. Phone 330-864-2151 to reserve. The market is at 1711 W. Market St., Akron.
Vincent’s anniversary
Vincent’s Bakery, 2038 E. Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, is celebrating its 57th year in business with a special deal on its Italian Torte cakes.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 22, owners Nick and Tina Massoli will host an anniversary open house with plenty of samples to give away and sale prices on many items.
In addition, 7-inch undecorated Italian Tortes, with chocolate and vanilla custard fillings and rum-soaked layers, will be sold for $15 to anyone who places an order by Feb. 18.
Phone 330-923-8217 to order.
Hoppin’ around the world
Through Nov. 8, the tasting room at Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, 1680 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, is offering a menu that promises to take diners around the world in 80 dishes.
Each week, for 40 weeks, chef Shawn Sweeney will prepare two dishes from one location. At the end of the journey, the brewery will produce a cookbook containing all 80 recipes. Those who try at least 40 of the 80 dishes will get a free copy.
The trip begins this week in New York, with a different place being featured each week. The tour will finish back in Akron.
Chauffeured dinner
Zack Bruell Restaurants is hosting a chauffeur-driven progressive dinner with wine pairings.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 26, at Table 45, and will progress to four other Bruell restaurants, Parallax, Chinato, Cowell & Hubbard and L’Albatros. Bruell and sommelier Robert LaBuda will guide guests through the five courses.
The dinner, which includes transportation, is $120 plus tax and tip. Reservations are required and may be made by calling L’Albatros at 216-791-7880.
Market vendors sought
From now through March 14, the Countryside Conservancy is accepting new vendor applications for its Countryside Farmers’ Markets at Howe Meadow in Cuyahoga Falls and Highland Square in Akron.
The Howe Meadow market opens May 10 and will continue every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. through Oct. 25. The Highland Square market will take place Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. May 29 through Oct. 2.
Countryside is concentrating its search for new vendors on those providing grains, fermented foods, pickled foods, flowers, and staples such as cornmeal, flour and popcorn. Submit applications at www.cvcountryside.org. Applicants will be notified by March 28 whether their application has been accepted.
Market guidelines and fees can be found in the Vendor Handbook on the website. For additional questions, contact Beth Knorr or Erin Molnar at 330-657-2542.
Wine dinner at Vaccaro’s
Vaccaro’s Trattoria, 1000 Ghent Road, Bath Township, is hosting a dinner with winemaker Tom Meadowcroft at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The five-course dinner, which includes wine pairings, is $75. Seating is limited and reservations are required; phone 330-666-6158. All wines will be available for purchase at retail prices.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.