Festival Season

By Erin Byers

Put away those diet books and grab your expandable pants. That's right, it's food and wine festival season. From January to May, Boston 's restaurants and chefs put out all their finery, sophistication and, of course, food for endless nights and weekends of food and wine events. Most require tickets, so be sure to pick them up in advance.

The Fairmont Copley Plaza's Celebrity Chef Series Food lovers learn kitchen fundamentals from professional chefs during these two-hour Saturday afternoon classes, organized by the Boston Center for Adult Education. Recipe sampling, wine tasting and discussion are included in the price. $50. January 14–February 25, 2006. 617.267.4430; bcae.org

21st Annual Anthony Spinazzola Foundation Gala Festival of Food and Wine More than 120 restaurants and 90 wineries pack the Seaport World Trade Center for this black-tie benefit. Sample food and wine and enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs. Tickets are $200. January 27, 2006. 781.344.4413; spinazzola.org

15th Annual Boston Wine Expo Hot on the heels of the Spinazzola gala, wineries from around the world land in Boston for a weekend of sipping and seminars at the Seaport World Trade Center. Tickets range from $60 to $125. January 28–29, 2006. 877.946.3976; wine-expos.com/boston

15th Annual Super Hunger Brunch Enjoy brunch at one of 40 Boston restaurants to help raise money for the Greater Boston Food Bank. L'Espalier chef Frank McClelland leads the charge as honorary chef. Prices range from $20 to $50. February 25–26, 2006; gbfb.org

The Chocolate Experience at the Langham Hotel The Chocolate Bar inside Café Fleuri offers dozens of decadent treats including chocolate sushi and a fondue station. Adults, $26; under 12, $14; under 4, free. Every Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Through the end of May. 617.451.1900 x7125; langhamhotels.com/langham/boston