ελληνικό φεστιβάλ - Greek Festival

Flickr: Taken by Alexdecarvalho

Opa! Yes, it's the time of the year when the Greek festival takes the center stage in Miami (if you ignore the tourist-plagued, high-rolling, extravagantly expensive Food Network's South Beach Wine & Food Festival).

That being said... for us commoners out there who live, sleep, and eat in Miami for 24/7 throughout the year, it's the simpler festivals that can give us a lot of pleasure.

There's Greek food, wine and spirits, pastry & coffee, and even cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. I've participated in the cooking demonstration last year and I must say that I enjoyed making baklava in front of the audience! Of course, in order to participate, you must have the fastest hand-raising skills in the Wild West.

You can browse the festival's website to see what they have to offer, even for food. Link: http://www.saintsophiagreekfestival.com

And yes, there's also other non-foodie related events, of course. There's raffle prizes (including a trip to Greece), children rides, Greek jewelry, arts & crafts. But really, I enjoyed more the learning experience I got from touring the gold-laden Byzantine Cathedral, listening to Greek music and watching the jolly Greeks, young and old, dancing and following their cultural traditions.


St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
2401 SW 3rd Ave. (Coral Way & 24th Rd.)
Miami, FL 33129
305-854-2922

Friday, February 22, 2008 - Sunday, February 24, 2008
11 am to 11 pm

Adult Admission $5
Children under 12, free

Two blocks west of I-95 South, Exit #1

Free Bread Baking Classes in Coral Gables

Flickr: by svacher

As I was browsing through the Miami Herald, I saw an advertisement for a free baking class. I thought it was unusual to see something offered but it seems like the maker of baking ingredients, King Arthur Flour, is sponsoring the classes - it's a pretty good idea! And I know that most people don't even know how to bake a simple bread... so I recommend you guys to bring your friends out to enjoy a day of learning how to bake bread - an ancient tradition that goes back to who-knows-when!

So here is the info - and I'm planning on going! It's tomorrow, Saturday Feb. 2nd, 2008. There'll be free bread baking classes in Coral Gables.

In the morning at 11 am, people will learn how to bake yeast breads - sweet and whole grain. Then in the afternoon at 3 pm, they'll cook artisan breads.

The best part of it isn't the door prizes, coupons or the recipes - but that they're free and open to the public. You don't even have to register for them!

Check it out if you have time - and arrive early as seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Location:
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center
405 University Drive

For more information, call 800-827-6836.