Up your culinary education this week in food

Slow Food happy hour! Pick up a pint.

​No need to feel inadequate now that summer's bounty has arrived; this week in food is filled with classes and lectures sure to make all your dishes winners thanks to plenty of educational events.

6/21
The monthly Slow Food Happy Hour takes place tonight, with the topic of discussion focusing on Slow Money (a movement to organize investors and donors to steer new sources of capital to small food enterprises, organic farms, and local food systems). The guest speaker will be Steven Read of Shepherd's Way Farms, who will be tell his story about creating a source of alternative investment after his farm was destroyed by fire. Head to Trotter's Café starting at 5:30 to get in on the action. For more information send an email to TClocalfoodhappyhour@gmail.com

6/22
Continue your food education at Open Book tonight, where Fair Food Network celebrates the release of Oran Hesterman's new book Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All (you can read the New York Times review here). The launch party runs from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and attendees should RSVP to Megan Thygeson at FairFoodRSVP.Minn@gmail.com

6/24
It might pain you to celebrate our neighbors next door, but the beer should help: Paradise Landing in Balsam Lake is hosting Wisconsin Beer Dinners that will pair a delicious four-course meal with a select Wisconsin beer. This month's Wisconsin Beer Dinner is on Saturday, June 24, and features Lift Bridge beers. A reception from 6 to 7 p.m. will get the evening started. Cost is $45 and includes tax and gratuity. To reserve your spot call 715.485.3210.

6/25
Looking to up your bread-making game? Hit up Saturday in the Kitchen: Flat Out Fabulous Flat Breads at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where participants will learn flatbread recipes from around the world, including Tibetan bread, Indonesian coconut cracker bread, naan with herb and cheese filling, and more. Class runs 9-11 a.m. and costs $30 for members, $40 nonmembers. Sign up by calling 952.443.1422.

Author Jenny Breen tackles veggies on Sunday

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6/26
Enjoy a leisurely Sunday sampling the veggie-centric cooking of Jenny Breen, author of Cooking Up the Good Life, as she talks about her approach to cooking and demonstrates some delicious vegetable recipes. The talk will be followed by a potluck dinner, all at Beard's Plaisance (West side of Lake Harriet, near 44th Street and Upton Ave. S, Minneapolis) from 4-7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Slow Food members and $15 for nonmembers. Reserve your plate by clicking here.