What's cooking: Nadia Cake offers classes, Broder's offers Italy, New China Wok offers language, and Martha celebrates

Nadia Cakes is sharing its secrets. Erin Campbell, general manager of Nadia Cakes' Woodbury location and winner of Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship, will begin teaching a series of Sunday afternoon baking classes at its shop at 429 Commerce Drive in Woodbury. Participants will make a cake/cupcake to take home and learn baking, assembling and decorating skills. There are classes for adults (5-6 p.m.) and children (3-3:30 p.m.) with kids making "mini" versions. (Note that children must be accompanied by an adult.) Prices range from $40-$55 for kids and $55-$75 for adults. On the schedule are pumpkin cakes Nov. 22 and 29; Yule stumps Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27; snowflake cakes Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, and love bug cakes Feb. 7, 21 and 28. Call 651-314-4444 or e-mail erin@nadiacakes.com to reserve a spot.

Muddy Paws Cheesecake, the St. Louis Park bakery known for its Chicago-style cheesecakes, hosts its 23rd Cheesecake Sampling from 4-9 p.m. Dec. 2 at its bakery and warehouse, 7600 W. 27th St., Suite B2. The event offers samples of 35 cheesecake flavors, a crafts bazaar with locally-made items, entertainment and more.

Admission is free with two donor options: an unopened bag of pet food for the pets of families in transition, or a new unwrapped toy for ages 5-16 for under-served children in two neighborhood programs. Or a donation of $10.

We just have to note that Martha Stewart Living magazine celebrates its 25th anniversary with the December/January issue now on newsstands. True to fantasy form, the cover features a painting of Martha in a sugary wonderland, which leads to recipes for eight Martha-esque holiday desserts inside. The theme of decor, recipes and gift ideas is a "classic sheen of silver" as befits a 25th. A cookie Advent calendar highlights 25 of Martha's favorite cookies, one from every year of the magazine. All the recipes are available at marthastewart.com/cookie-calendar. Which … wait for it … is a good thing.

New China Wok Chinese Restaurant, 5033 France Av. S., Mpls., now offers Chinese language classes from 3-4 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month. There's no charge for the Nov. 21 class, but fees onward will be $20 per pupil per class. Classes will be taught by Stephanie Lan, who learned Chinese in college and while living in China. She has eight years of teaching experience and a master's degree in education. She'll use storytelling to teach the language, and classes are for beginners or students with some experience. Bring paper and pen. To learn more or sign up, e-mail Stephanie at newchinawok5033@gmail.com.

Here's a charmer of a cookbook from a National Book Award-winning novelist: "A Southern Thanksgiving: Recipes and Musings for a Manageable Feast," by Robb Forman Dew (Bloomsbury, 87 pages, $18). This is a reissue of her 1992 book, a collection of family favorites — cornbread dressing with sausage and apples, and yams mousseline, among them — from a writer who grew up in Baton Rouge, La. Her practical advice includes a strategy for a stress-free meal, the root of which is to plan ahead.

The latest copy of "Best Food Writing 2015," edited by Holly Hughes, includes an award-winning article that freelancer Steve Hoffman wrote for the Star Tribune's Taste section last December. "Of Links and Legacy" tells the tale of the sausage-making holiday tradition that is part of the family heritage for Hoffman's wife, Mary Jo. To read the story, go to tinyurl.com/onjdnjx.