Here, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week. At the top, I share my picks of unmissable local happenings.
Dreaming of a European summer vacation? Chef Jessica Yarr has the next-best thing: an Apertivo Hour-themed evening Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Grove Cafe and Bakery, her Felton restaurant. She’s serving a selection of natural European wines alongside a special Italian-inspired menu of small plates, including focaccia with eggplant caponata, arancini, tuna crudo with pickled peaches, and lemon sorbet with anise sugar cookies. No reservations necessary, with live music by The Chestnut St. Trio.
Santa Cruz food festival Forks, Corks & Kegs returns this Saturday afternoon. Held at Kaiser Permanente Arena, more than 40 local vendors will show off their products and offer guests unlimited tastes of beers, wines, spirits and snacks, from fresh oysters to ice cream to bagels and coffee. Tickets are $95 per person.
Friday, June 28
- Food to Help Build Your Memory Palace | 2 – 3 p.m. @ Aptos Branch Library
- Central Coast Superfoods Vegan Cooking Class and Dinner | 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. @ London Nelson Community Center | $75
- Food Truck Friday w/ FirePeach | 5 – 8 p.m. @ Skypark
- Aperitivo Hour | 5 – 8 p.m. @ The Grove
Saturday, June 29
- Earth-Friendly Gardening: Designing Your Garden | 10 a.m. – noon @ Branciforte Branch Library
- Days of Wine & Lavender Workshop | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. @ Roberts Ranch Vineyard | $40-50
- Beauregard Tapas & Wine | 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Beauregard Vineyards | $45
- Live Like a Greek Gyro Pop-Up | Noon – 8 p.m. @ Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
- Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert with Dan and Laurel | 2 – 4 p.m. Roberts Ranch Vineyard | $10-40
- Forks, Corks and Kegs | 3 – 7 p.m. @ Kaiser Permanente Arena | $95
Sunday, June 30
- Winemaker’s Dinner with Sandar & Hem wines | 5:30 – 8 p.m. @ Persephone | $150
Thursday, July 4
- 4th of July at Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen | 3 – 10 p.m. @ Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen