Here are some upcoming food and drink events in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area’s this week.
Cider Rally
Join Wilson’s Hard Cider and the Cedar Rapids Brewing Society for a discussion on all things cider. Cider maker Nick and Wilson’s Orchard chief apple officer Paul will talk about what apple varieties are best for pressing into hard cider, point out which juice characteristics brewers should look for pre-fermentation and answer questions about making your own hard cider.
• When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday
• Where: Rapid Creek Cidery, 4823 Dingleberry Rd. NE, Iowa City
• Details: facebook.com/pg/rapidcreekcidery/events
Fall Greek Dinner
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church hosts it’s annual Fall Greek Dinner Sunday. Choose two of three entrees: gyros pita, chicken pita or pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna). Meals include Greek-style green beans, spanakopita, Greek salad and a drink. Greek desserts like baklava, galaktouboureko (custard pie), karidoita (walnut spice cake), lemon cake and koulourakia (shortbread twisted cookie) will be available for additional purchase. Eat your meal there or take it to go.
• When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite Temple, 616 A Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids
• Cost: $14 adults, $7 children 12 and under
• Details: stjohncr.org/Home/greek-fall-dinner
Hancher Culinary Arts Experience: Pullman Diner/St. Burch Tavern
Pullman Diner and Saint Burch Tavern executive chef Benjamin Smart will present a dinner in Hancher’s Stanley Cafe. The meal includes hors d’oeuvres, a first course of mushroom and hazelnut pate, prosciutto, herbed ricotta and pickled butternut with bread, an entree of braised pork belly with roasted brussels sprouts and apple fennel slaw, plus dessert.
• When: 5 p.m. Wednesday
• Where: Stanley Cafe, Hancher, 141 E. Park Rd., Iowa City
• Cost: $40
• Details: hancher.uiowa.edu
ProStart Student Cook Off
Cedar Rapids high school students will face off against Davenport and Mount Pleasant students in a “Top Chef”-style cooking competition presented by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation and Soyfoods Council. Competitors from culinary education programs in the three school districts will have 60 minutes to prepare two courses using only two butane burners. With mentorship from a professional chef, teams must create an appetizer and entree, use two mystery items and incorporate a soy food item in their dishes. The event is open to the public and includes a pizza buffet dinner. Proceeds benefit Iowa ProStart.
• When: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17
• Where: Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf
• Cost: $20
• Details: restaurantiowa.com/product/cook-off
Wine with the Witch
Raise a toast to Halloween with a wine tasting in Bloomsbury Farm’s Corpse Cellar. Tickets include one drink and appetizers, as well as a visit from Wheezy the Witch and monstrous entertainment, as well as VIP access to two haunted attractions and a moonlit hayrack ride, bonfires and more. Registration required.
• When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17
• Where: Bloomsbury Farm, 3260 69th St., Atkins
• Cost: $37.95
• Details: bloomsburyfarm.ticketleap.com/wine-with-the-witch-2019