Food makes us happy. And we think these food, wine, and beer events in Traverse City, Leland, Gaylord, Petoskey, and Mackinaw City will fill you with joy, too.


First Fridays for Foodies | January 5

Enjoy the Crooked Tree Arts Center Artisans & Farmers Market in Petoskey, and then stop in the kitchen for a one-hour informal class/demonstration. This month the presenter is Watta Cookie owner Terri Morgan who will be showing you how you can enjoy the authentic flavor of New York Style bagels without leaving your kitchen. She’ll go over all the steps, from making the perfect yeasted dough to boiling in barley malt for the chewy exterior, brown crust, and distinctive flavor of a New York classic, YUM! And it’s free.

Wilderness Sleigh Ride Dinner | January 6, 12,13, 20, 26, 27

Get ready for a beautiful winter adventure. You’ll meet the shuttle on the main property and take a 15 to 20-minute ride to Treetop Resort’s remote Project Nature property where a fire and a hot drink will await you. A 25-minute sleigh ride through the woods will deliver you to the Wilderness Cabin where you’ll enjoy a four-course meal and assorted beer and wine. After a leisurely dinner the shuttle will pick you up at the Wilderness Cabin and return you to Treetops’ main property. Be sure to dress warmly! Tickets cost $119 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Call 866.348.5249 to reserve your spot.

Sleigh Ride Dinner Menu

Course 1: Lobster Bisque
Course 2: Treetops Wedge Salad
Course 3: Grilled Beef Filet with Onion Straws, Grilled Shrimp Skewer, Cheddar Chive Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Vegetables
Course 4: Crème Brûlée

Special Dinners at The Cooks’ House | January 9, 23

A fun evening of food and wine at the downtown Traverse City restaurant. Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with wines from Bonobo Winery (January 9) and Mari Vineyards (January 23). Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.

Winter Warm Up | January 13

Beat the blues with the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula’s annual Winter Warm Up. Savor delectable comfort food creations paired with wine. Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.

Downtown Traverse City Cook-Off | January 13

Area restaurants cook up their special chili recipes to compete in different categories: 1 and 3-alarm, white, vegetarian, seafood, and ethnic as well as the coveted “people’s choice” award. The cookoff runs from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. behind the State Street Marketplace. Additional seating will be provided inside so you can enjoy a brew from Monkey Fist Brewing Co. All proceeds from the event help support downtown community activities like Friday Night Live, the Halloween walk, holiday activities, and more. Tickets will be available at the door for $10.

Mackinaw City’s 25th Annual Winterfest Celebration | January 19–20

Earn your meal at this annual celebration. Partake in amateur and professional snow carving, outhouse races, sleigh rides, a poker walk, indoor ice skating, euchre tournament, ice fishing, and more fun activities, then refuel at the chili cook-off.

Fustini’s Cooking Classes | January 30

Prepare for the Super Bowl Fustini’s-style with a cooking class at their Traverse City location (classes at 1 and 5 p.m.). Fustini’s has events all month long at their Ann Arbor, Holland, Petoskey, and Traverse City locations. View the full calendar and reserve your spot online.

Cheer Fest | January 20

Cheer Fest (formerly Party in Your Parka) celebrates winter at the Leland Lodge with sledding, ice-skating, live music, food and drink specials, and more! Check out this video taken at last year’s fest.

Sips & Soups | January 20

Savor delicious soup and wine pairings along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Tickets are $20 per person and include a souvenir wine glass—$5 from each ticket sold is being donated to the local food banks. The 2016 and 2017 events sold out, so get your tickets early on MyNorthTickets.com.

Fire & Ice Wine Dinner | January 27 

Be one of the first to experience Chateau Chantal’s first annual Fire and Ice Wine Dinner—part of their first annual Ice Wine Festival. Each course of the dinner will pair with a wine hand-selected by the vintner, including all three of the winery’s ice wine products: Vidal Ice Wine, Entice (a port-style wine), and “liquid gold” Estate-bottled Ice Wine. Other wines will also be featured during the dinner. Tickets range up to $125 and include food, wine, tax, and tip.

Fire & Ice Wine Dinner Menu

Course 1: Poached pear stuffed with chèvre and topped with granulated sugar and caramelized. Served over a bed of baby arugula with walnuts, and a raw honey tarragon vinaigrette | Dry Riesling

Course 2: Roasted red pepper and poblano bisque with smoked gouda served with a crostini and chipotle rouille | Reserve Malbec

Course 3: Potato gnocchi, Dragon’s breath (bleu cheese) cream sauce | Late Harvest Riesling

Course 4: Koulibiac of Sustainable Trout—Puff pastry filled with trout, rice, mushrooms, egg, and herbs | Pinot Noir

Palate cleanser: Cranberry limoncello granita | Entice

Course 5: Petite filet with blood orange and balsamic gastrique with citrus-whipped potato, demi and seasonal vegetables | Cab Franc

Course 6: Winter salad with roasted root vegetables, bitter greens, hazelnuts, and dried cranberry in a shallot vinaigrette | Vidal Ice Wine

Course 7: Bananas Foster ice cream in a pool of grilled banana purée. Served with a flambéed brandied caramel sauce prepared tableside | Estate Grown Ice Wine


3 More Awesome Food, Wine & Beer Events We’re Looking Forward To! 

Photo(s) by Shea Haddad