Grand opening events at Spice & Tea Exchange: This new Grosse Pointe shop is celebrating its opening with a series of events and discounts. Through Saturday customers can get 10% off all teas. Sunday through Jan. 25, get a free 16 ounce tea with the a purchase of $35 or more. The actual grand opening and ribbon-cutting is set for 4 p.m. Jan. 31. 17037 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe. Spiceandtea.com.
COTS Soup City 2025 at the Roostertail: Sample gourmet soups and small plates at this fundraising event for COTS, a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides emergency shelter and other support to those in need. Participating restaurants include Grey Ghost, Standby, Soil 2 Service, Cork & Gable, Bar Pigalle and the Detroit Institute of Gastronomy. There will also be live music, artwork, a silent auction and a silent disco. 5 p.m. Jan. 23. $100 per person. 100 Marquette, Detroit. Cotsdetroit.org/soup-city.
Date night cooking class at Evelyn’s Midtown Kitchen: Chef Evelyn Stokes leads a hands-on course in preparing lobster ravioli with cognac cream sauce and made-from-scratch pasta, plus a salad and crostini appetizer. 6-8:30 p.m. Jan. 24. $99 per person, $193 per couple. Eastern Market Shed 5, 2934 Russell, Detroit. eventbrite.com/e/date-night-lobster-ravioli-bliss-hands-on-cooking-class-tickets-1102736968959
Pierogi Making 101 at Pietrzyk Pierogi: Learn how to make this Polish comfort food staple from start to finish, including how to prepare the dough, fill, pinch and boil them. The class will show how to make a dozen, and is best for intermediate to advanced cooks. Lunch is available for purchase. 9 a.m.-noon. Jan. 25. $75. 1429 Gratoit, Suite 109, Detroit. eventbrite.com/e/pierogi-making-101-tickets-1069081283899.
Wine and chocolate pairing class at Blue Skies Brewery, Winery and Distillery: Learn the nuances of pairing chocolate with alcoholic beverages. Tickets include the class and a dozen chocolates, and wine and beer are available for purchase. 1 and 4 p.m. Jan. 25. $35. 3358 Auburn, Auburn Hills. eventbrite.com/e/wine-and-chocolate-pairing-class-tickets-1135038222879.
Italy vs. France Wine Showdown at Beverly Hills Grill: Taste 10 wines paired with a five dishes and try to guess if the wines are Italian or French. 6 p.m. Feb. 3. $100 per person. 31471 Southfield, Beverly Hills. Beverlyhillsgrill.com.
Chili Cook-off Competition at Blake’s: This ninth annual event will put chili chefs from the area against each other to see who makes the winning pot. Besides chili tasting and voting, the event has live music, games and other wintertime fun. Tickets include samples, a logo pint glass and a pint of hard cider or craft beer. 1-4 p.m. Feb. 15. $23 in advance, $28 at the door. 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada. Blakefarms.com.
More food and beverage news
J. Baldwin’s offers lunch: This 20-year-old family owned favorite in Macomb County is now open for lunch service at noon on Fridays. Happy hour will also start at noon Fridays. 16981 18 Mile, Clinton Township. (586) 416-3500. Jbaldwins.com.
Low-calorie menu items at Seasons 52: To help you stay on track in the New Year, this national chain is offering new menu items that won’t break your calorie budget. Try the farmhouse chicken soup (200 calories), black lentil Bolognese (440 calories) or peanut butter chocolate mini dessert (310 calories). Open daily for lunch and dinner. 1000 W. Big Beaver, Troy. (248) 362-9752. Seasons52.com.
Melody Baetens
For subscribers:New Metro Detroit restaurants expected to open in early 2025
