Dining like biblical Israel
Beth El Synagogue hosts its fifth annual Tu B'shevat dinner celebrating "the nature of biblical Israel." This year's dinner features a team of four female chefs creating dishes highlighting the seven species of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Chefs are Michelle Bernstein of Miami, a James Beard Award winner, Food Network host and "Top Chef" guest judge; Alicia Hinze, owner and pastry chef of the Buttered Tin and part of the inaugural class of the James Beard Foundation's Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Program; Sarah Master, of Red Stag Supperclub, and Maggie Welch, of Corner Table. Each course will be paired with a wine flown in for this dinner. Cost is $125 per person and seating is limited. For tickets, visit bethelsynagogue.nirsham.com and scroll to January events, or call 952-873-7300. Reservation deadline is Jan. 21.
Last-minute food solution
If you've ever hit the grocery store on the eve of a big holiday, well, it's not pretty. So consider Last Minute Markets, which bring together produce, proteins, indie-gredient food makers and artisans from Minneapolis Craft Market. And because these markets take place in breweries, there's beer. Lakes & Legends Brewery, 1368 LaSalle Av. S. in Minneapolis, will host a market from 4-9 p.m. Dec. 30. Offerings may include pickles and condiments, beverages, breads and pastries, meats and cheese, last-minute gifts and more. The events are developed by Frank & Ernest Markets, which host artisan markets, pop-up parties and various food-related get-togethers in the Twin Cities. Check their Facebook page at Frank & Ernest Markets & Events.
That's marketing, mum
Never letting an opportunity go unplumbed, Dole, the world's largest banana provider, is offering the services of its "top banana" executive chef to bake a special banana wedding cake for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May at Windsor Castle. The offer is in response to reports that the couple are sidestepping a traditional British wedding fruitcake for a creation flavored with bananas, which they love. No word on whether Dole's offer has been accepted. Not holding breath.
KIM ODE
