Discover Italian Christmas tradition

Learn about the traditions of the seven fishes served in Italian households on Christmas Eve from Loretta Paganini during a class at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at her Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, 8613 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.

She’ll demonstrate the process in the twoand-a-half hour class, in which participants will feast on Chilled Seafood and Vegetable Salad; Cioppino Chowder with Crostini; Tagliolini with Clam Sauce; Fried Calamari and Smelts in Spicy Tomato Sauce; Baccala Cakes in Garlic Aioli; Shrimp Scampi alla Puttanesca; Pizza della Vigilia; and Lemon Biscotti for dessert.

The tradition in southern Italian households arose because abstaining from meat is observed until midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, so the feasting is on a variety of fish. Mentor-based Euclid Fish Co. has most of the traditional fishes and can make them available to those wishing to have their own seven-fishes tradition.

Registration for the class is $65 and may be done at 440-729-1110 or www.lpscinc.com.

Wine tastings

Pinot Noir will be the focus at Corks Wine Bar for a tasting scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 1.

Five 2-ounce tastes will be poured, and light foods will be served. Leading the tasting with be A.J. Hammer, owner of AJH Distributing, who is from a family legendary in the Ohio wine-distribution industry.

Italian wines will be the focus for another tasting, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12, when Claudia Dick will showcase varietals from throughout the country. She’s director of Italian imports for A.J. Dick Imports.

Corks is at 4084 Erie St., Willoughby. Cost is $20 for each tasting, and reservations are required at 440918-9463.

Bar hop

Don your ugliest holiday sweater to celebrate the season at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Ugly Holiday Sweater Bar Hop.

Enjoy food and drink specials at Bar Louis, The Capital Grille, Granite City Food & Brewery and other participating restaurants. Participants receive a souvenir cup and get a festive photo with Santa.

Part of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. It’s $10, and registration is required in advance at 216-382-3871 or www.Legacy-Village.com.

Fast appetizers

Fast and easy appetizers perfect for this busy season are the promise by Judi Strauss in her twohour cooking class set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in the kitchen at Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor.

Many of her creations can be prepared in advance and frozen for when they are needed. Get recipes and taste brie truffles, artichoke dip, and lots more to make your next party more fun.

Registration is $17 but $3 less for Mentor residents. An additional $9 food fee is payable in cash to Strauss on class night.

The class is limited to those 16 and older. Call 440974-5720 to sign up.