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Bliss' first class begins today where she will briefly lecture on the history and culture of fermentation and demonstrate crème fraiche, mascarpone, and cultured butter. Those attending will learn how to make crème fraiche or mascarpone using cream, and they'll get to  enjoy their creations with mixed berries or baguettes.

The class on Feb. 27 will cover Yogurt, Cheese and Soda. Bliss will lecture briefly on the health benefits of bacteria for the final March 12 class. To close out the series there will be a fermented food potluck buffet.

18 Reasons serves as a non-profit "community food space to learn, think and do" near Dolores Park and is a member of the Bi-Rite family: Bi-Rite Market and Bi-Rite Creamery.

Buy tickets here.

What: "Sour Milk" Lacto-fermentation classes

Where: 18 Reasons

When: Monday Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Cost: $55/ $65 per class. $150/$180 for series.

Where: 18 Reasons

When: Third Wednesdays and Saturdays, January-June

Cost: Sliding scale: $350-$425

The rundown: 18 Reasons has compiled a series of new classes and owner Rosie Branson Gill says, "We think [they] would be excellent gifts this holiday season." We agree! One of the most interesting is the Urban Gardening School. Each course is an in-depth opportunity for home gardeners to learn how to improve their skills and have a ton of fun while they do it. Gill says, "These are classes for anyone, and not designed to turn people into professional gardeners, but rather to re-train home gardeners to be able to grow delicious food!" Take your urban homesteading to the next level, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

When you're done, SFoodie is available for taste testing, should you need to make sure those tomatoes are perfectly ripe. The things we do for you people!

To learn more about the Urban Gardening classes, check out 18 reasons.

Carina Ost

Dianne Jacob at Book Passage in 2010

But that hasn't stopped people from chasing their gustatory and literary dreams by writing about food in a myriad of media -- cookbooks, reviews, blogs, food memoirs, and more. And Bay Area food-writing doyenne Dianne Jacobs is here to help.

Jacobs published an all-encompassing guide, Will Write for Food, in 2005 and put out a revised edition -- now with blog advice! -- last year. Hands-on guidance, though, still is one of her most popular pursuits, and she's offering her annual class through Book Passage again this year, "probably for at least the sixth year now," she says.

Lou Bustamante

Mixology 101 at Boothby Center
Where: The Boothby Center, 1161 Mission (at 8th)
When: Weds., Nov. 2nd, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Cost: $95 in advance

The rundown: Get all the fundamentals down with hands on training in tools, cocktail construction, categories, and ingredients. Focused on the home enthusiast, it breaks down the various components of a drink by mixing a series of cocktails. It also includes planning tips on prepping and setting up your bar so that you get to enjoy your own party.

Lou Bustamante

Joel Teitelbaum at the Starlight Room

Historic North Beach Bar Stroll with Dominic Venegas and Jackie Patterson
Where: Buena Vista Cafe, 2765 Hyde (at Beach)
When: Sat., Sept. 24, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $45 regular; $55 at the door

The rundown: Start your Saturday with an Irish Coffee at the iconic Buena Vista, then continue through North Beach learning the history of the area with Dominic Venegas and Jackie Patterson through cocktails along the way.

The Legends Awards
Where: Sir Francis Drake Ballroom, 450 Powell (at Sutter)
When: Sat., Sept. 24, 6:30 - 10 p.m.; after-party in the Starlight Room, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Cost: $175 regular; $99 through Thrillist until noon on Saturday

The rundown: A celebration of the folks in the local spirits industry with a three-course meal by Chef Jennifer Biesty paired with cocktails prepared tableside by some of the Bay Area's best. An awards ceremony honoring them will follow through dinner.

Lou Bustamante

Steven Liles shakes it up at Best of the West

Barbary Coast Bazaar
Where: Old Mint, 88 Fifth St. (at Mission)
When: 8 - 11 p.m.
Cost: $85 regular; $95 at the door

The rundown: A carnival-themed party complete with jugglers, fortune tellers, and carnie fare: mini corn dogs, donut hole cheeseburgers, cotton candy, and funnel cakes. On the cocktail end of things Rye, Bourbon & Branch, DOSA and Elixir will create exotic punches to make you Tilt-A-Whirl.

Lou Bustamante

So much liquid nerdiness in such a beautiful space

The two main events tonight provide you with a tough choice: either survey the cocktail prowess of the west coast or the East Bay. With the last few trips to the East Bay providing such interesting bartending talent, no doubt there will be something exotic to discover at each party.

As if this week needed more of an excuse to celebrate, the decriminalization of infusions and homemade tinctures/bitters in bars is especially fitting. Cheers to that!

East Bay Showdown
Where: Tessera Gallery, 1225-A 7th St. (at Union), Oakland
When: Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 - 9 p.m.
Cost: $55 regular; $65 at the door

The rundown: Enjoy the best the East Bay cocktail scene has to offer with some seriously talented bartenders from Acme Bar, Adesso, Chop Bar, Dogwood, Flora, Hotsy Totsy, Hudson, and more. Bites provided by Flora and Little Star Pizza.

Best of the West
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission (at Third St.)
When: Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 - 9 p.m.
Cost: $55 regular; $65 at the door

The rundown: A night of drinking and gambling with a range of bartenders representing the entire west coast of North America, from San Diego to Vancouver. Each bartender will be mixing up a cocktail based on their city, while you play blackjack and roulette for prizes. Bet it all on red!

Liza Gershman

Local spirits at the Bay Area Distillers Panel

Today we're not only going to list the events of the day, but give you a heads-up on upcoming Cocktail Week events that are about to sell out. Grab those last tickets!

Today

Shaker & Flask
Where: Big Daddy's Antiques, 1550 17th. (at Wisconsin)
When: 6 - 9 p.m.
Cost: $65 regular; $75 at the door

The rundown: The Cocktail Lab- produced event explores what happens when you apply modernist culinary techniques to cocktails. It also comes with a geeky chaser: an understanding of the chemistry and physics of making great cocktails. The hypotheses of the event: You + {Cocktails} = Fun. Proceeds benefit the Exploratorium.

Seminars and Other Events