This Week’s Five Best Food Events – 12/8/2014

Sick of hot chocolate and yuletide cheer? Plan your escape from the North Pole with these five non-holiday-related events.

Whiskey Women with Fred Minnick, National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Learn about how some of the world’s most beloved spirits got their start. Author Fred Minnick will detail the role of women in the making of beer and bourbon throughout time, including the creation of brands like Bushmills and Maker’s Mark. Nicole Austin of Kings County Distillery, Bianca Miraglia of Uncouth Vermouth, and Bridget Firtle of Owney’s Rum will pour tastes of their own brands during the literary pre-game session. Tickets are $40.

Smoke Signals: Smoke, Peat and Malt With Allan Roth, Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Interested in learning how smoke and soil can create such a distinct whiskey? Allan Roth, beverage director of Char No. 4, will discuss this phenomenon over six tastings and be on hand to answer any questions following the class. Palate cleansers like bread and cheese will be provided, and topics include such technical insight as how distillers balance levels of peat. Tickets are $89.

Eating Delancey, Tenement Museum, 108 Orchard Street, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

At this free event, authors Aaron Rezny and Jordan Schaps share stories and recipes related to knishes, herring, and other Jewish delicacies. The duo will be joined by contributors to their book — whose intro was penned by the late Joan Rivers — including representatives from Russ & Daughters and Sammy’s Roumanian, both of whom feature prominently. You’ll be able to buy the volume, too, offered at a 15 percent discount.

What’s Nu: The State of Brooklyn’s Jewish Delis, Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Ted Merwin, a local historian with a fondness for pastrami, brings together the owners of Junior’s, Mile End, and Jay and Llloyd’s Kosher Deli for a discussion on life behind the marble counter. Tickets are $10, and $5 for Historical Society members.

Lunch & Learn: Beginner Knife Skills, Bowery Culinary Center – Whole Foods, 95 East Houston Street, Friday, noon

Though you may never compete in a chopping contest on Cutthroat Kitchen, it’s still important to have fundamental knife skills in the kitchen. Instructor Min Liao will cover all the basics of how to not cut your finger off, and students will receive a lunch composed of foods they’ve just learned how to cut correctly. Reservations are $20.