Virtual Food & Drink Events in Houston: August 20 through 24

ROMA virtual wine dinner

As the Houston area continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, many events that would have been held inside restaurants or bars are now finding new life online. Thanks to innovations, such as Zoom, many wine and spirit tastings, group dinners and even cooking classes are now virtual. Below are several opportunities for Houstonians to enjoy unique culinary experiences in the comfort and safety of their own home. Please note, several of these events include ingredients, wines or other items that will need to be picked up, so be sure to check registration details for information regarding pickup times and locations. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20

Gonzo247's Grafitti Cocktails
A sneak peek at Gonzo247’s Graffiti Cocktails. Courtesy photo.

Bayou City Art Festival: Starting Thursday, August 20, at 6 p.m., the festival is hosting a series of virtual happy hours on Facebook Live and Youtube Live. These function as lead-ups to this year’s festival, which will be held virtually October 5 to 11. Each happy hour features a different artist, starting with Gonzo247. The hour-long events will also entertain participants with art trivia and a Q&A session. There is a suggested $10 donation. For more information, visit the festival’s happy hour page.

Roma, 2347 University: The Rice Village restaurant is teaming up with Alessio Inama of Inama Wine to host a virtual wine tasting and dinner event on Thursday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. For $119 per couple or $89 for individuals, participants receive a three-course dinner featuring slow braised sweet and sour pork paired with wines from the Inama family. For more information or to reserve a spot, email Jeremy Parzen or call (713) 664-7581.

Smart In The Kitchen: Cooking instructor Marcia Smart is offering a free webinar to about how to plan meals for the week. The goal is to teach participants to strategize, shop and adapt if the plan goes awry. This educational session takes place on Thursday, August 20 at noon and will feature a live Q&A afterward. Register at the Smart In The Kitchen website.

Women of Wine Charities (WOW): On Thursday, August 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Ryan Levy of Nice Wines is hosting a tasting and discussion about organic and sustainable wine making. The event is part of Women of Wine Charities’ Safe Night Sleep campaign and benefits the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC). For $45, participants receive an access code and zoom link for the event. Proceeds from this fee goes directly to HAWC. The wine purchase is separate, and there is a Package 1 and Package 2 from which to choose. Pickup is at Nice Wines at 2901 West Sam Houston Parkway North. For event tickets, visit WOW Charities

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 AND 23

French Country Wines, 2433 Bartlett: This wine importer and retailer in Rice Village is hosting weekly tasting events. Tasting kits come with six different wine samples and are $12 or you can get a complimentary kit with a $20 purchase. Tastings, including this Saturday’s (August 22), are at 6 p.m. and you can pick up tasting kits on Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. Visit French Country Wine’s Saturday tastings page for more information.

Underbelly Hospitality's Redneck Mac and Cheese
Underbelly Hospitality’s Redneck Mac and Cheese. Photo by Julie Soefer.

Underbelly Hospitality: Saturday, August 22, at 1 p.m., culinary director Nick Fine is hosting a virtual mac-and-cheese cooking class for kids. The $45 class comes with all the ingredients needed to make the mac and cheese, plus participants will receive enough frozen dough to also bake a dozen cookies. For more information, visit the event page. Check registration information for ingredient pickup location and times.

In addition, pastry director Victoria Dearmond is leading a biscuit class on Sunday, August 23 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. For $45, get access to Dearmond’s lesson and all the ingredients necessary to bake Butter Biscuits, a signature item at Blacksmith and Hay Merchant. Information is on the event’s webpage and you can pick up your ingredients between noon and 5 p.m. at The Hay Merchant at 1100 Westheimer. 

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