Some gifts shouldn’t wait to go under the tree. For a priceless gift they’ll treasure, seize opportunities to share time and experiences at Bellina Alimentari in Midtown’s Ponce City Market. Sure, some assembly is required in making pasta and Italian specialties or pairing cheeses and wines or brews and bites…but no stressful, convoluted instruction manuals to frustrate the giver and receiver.
Gift-able pasta-bilities follow for those who participate in Bellina’s Pasta Making class on Tuesday, Dec. 6 or Dec. 20. Learn how to make delicious fresh pasta in these hands-on cooking classes, taste the freshly made and cooked pasta and take some home. You’ll know how to crank out fresh pasta to give as gifts or cook for friends over the holidays. Each class runs 6:30-8 p.m. $45 per person.
Tis the “saison” to spring an experiential gift on a friend, say, sharing an evening of Orpheus Brewing Tasting on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Explore some of Atlanta’s top craft beers paired on this guided tasting with seasonal treats from Bellina’s kitchen. $28 per person.
Say “Buon Natale” and “Buon appetito!” at Bellina’s Italian Christmas entertainment class and dinner. Learn how to prepare and host a traditional Italian-style Christmas meal: antipasti board, butternut squash risotto and panettone with custard. Full dinner of dishes prepared together follows 6:30 p.m. class on Tuesday, Dec. 13 (drinks extra). $54 per person.
Pause the visions of holiday sugarplums for a grown-up treat, an introduction to Italy’s amaro (bitters) culture at Amore Amaro on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Italian nibbles from Bellina’s kitchen accompany selections from Bellina’s amaro bar at this guided tasting led by bar manager and mixologist Corey Phillips. $28 per person.
3 cheese 3 honey 3 wine is a must before assembling cheese boards and baskets for holiday parties and gifting. At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, Mary Rigdon, goat’s milk cheese maker from Decimal Place, discusses artisanal cheeses and pairs some of Atlanta’s best with unique natural wines and monofloral honey from Italy. $28 per person.
Treat yourself to learning something new at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market. Midweek classes leave weekends free for gridiron grooving.
- Go from the Market to Italian Table by joining Kenan Hill on a tour of Ponce City Market to source fresh, local ingredients before shopping Bellina for artisanal Italian ingredients. Once the gathering is done, cook a family style fall meal. Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30-8 p.m.; $45 per person.
- Pasta Making is easy once you get the hang of it at this hands-on class followed by a pasta tasting. Wednesdays, October 5 and 12, from 6:30-8 p.m.; $45 per person.
- Introduction to Vermouth encompasses an artisanal vermouth tasting and cocktail pairings featuring Brovo Spirits, Italian bites from the Bellina Alimentari kitchen and a dose of vermouth education from brand ambassador and cocktail specialist Anthony Porquez. Tuesday, October 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; $28 per person.
- You’ll find out why Versatile Vinegar is one of the most useful condiments in your pantry at this tasting of balsamic, wine and grape vinegars. Take recipes for antipasti, dressings, desserts and cocktails. Tuesday, October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; $28 per person.
- Lacto-fermentation is delish in kraut, ketchup, seed crackers, mustards and more. Naturopathic doctor Lupa Irie (Lupa’s Kitchen) will show you how to begin at this Fermentation Celebration demo. Wednesday, October 26 from 6:30-8 p.m.; $28 per person.
- Get Ready for the Holidays and learn how to be the perfect holiday host. At this entertainment prep class, learn how to make a traditional Italian Christmas meal of antipasto, risotto and panettone with custard. Cooking demo followed by full dinner (drinks are not included). Thursday, October 27 from 6:30-8 p.m.; $65 per person.
- Experience the thrill of the fill by making your own fresh, filled pasta in this hands-on class. Taste class projects and take home your own creation at this 6:30-8 p.m. class on Wednesday, September 7. Tickets are $45 per person.
- Say, “Mama, mia!” to healthy, simple recipes to pack an Italian-inspired lunch box. You’ll move to the head of the class with the kids thanks to this Back-to-School Lunch Box class led by Bellina owner Tal Baum. Each guest takes home the delicious lunch box prepared in the 7-8:30 p.m. class on Tuesday, September 13.Tickets are $32 per person.
- Amaro, Italian for “bitter,” is an herbal liqueur sipped as an after-dinner digestif – or mixed into a cocktail. Explore Italy’s amaro culture with bar selections and nibbles during an Introduction to Amaro class, 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20. Tickets are $28 per person.
- When it comes to food and libations, “local” is Italy’s middle name. Learn about local craft beer paired with seasonal bites from the Bellina kitchen at a Three Taverns Brewery session, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27. Tickets are $28 per person.
- Whiskey and Italian charcuterie go hand in hand. Come explore whiskey essentials along with local and Italian charcuterie at 3 Whiskey 3 Meats, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28. Tickets are $28 per person.
Tonight’s the night to bolster your holiday bag of culinary tricks with a delectable new skill -- pasta making. Bellina Alimentari chef David Berry’s students will learn how to crank out their own fresh pasta with ease during the 6-7 p.m. class. Everyone samples a tasting of the pasta and sauce made in class, and students take home their creations. $20 per person. Sign up for the class, held in the Ponce City Market restaurant and shop’s Culinary Club area, by calling 404-330-9933 or emailing events@bellina-alimentari.com.
Bellina Alimentari chef David Berry shows how to make delicious, fresh pasta to last through the holidays during two upcoming Culinary Club classes. Berry covers pasta making basics in a hands-on cooking class on Thursday, November 19 from 6-7 p.m. ($15 per person). Next up, your new holiday tradition! Make pillows of fresh creamy pumpkin-filled ravioli with melted butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano and sage sauce on Monday, November 23 from 6-7 p.m. When all is al dente, pasta prepsters will taste the pasta and sauces they’ve prepared together. ($20 per person). To save a seat in either class, stop by the Italian eatery and shop in Ponce City Market, email events@bellina-alimentari.com or call 404-330-9933. (Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee)
