Monday, April 13

In honor of ten years of treats from Sprinkles (50 E. Walton St., Gold Coast), the location will be giving out free cupcakes all day long. Yes. Seriously. Get there before 9 p.m.

Thursday, April 16

At least one member of Chicago’s dining team swears by the raw bar at Mariano’s for cheap, delicious bivalves—you can get in on an oyster and Moët & Chandon Champagne tasting at the grocery store’s Bucktown location (2112 N. Ashland Ave.) for $20 and see for yourself. Register for the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m., here.

Potluck season is fast approaching—dust off those salad-making muscles at a German cooking class at Dank Haus (4740 N. Western Ave., Lincoln Square), where Carol Himmel of Himmel’s (2251 W. Lawrence Ave., Lincoln Square, 773-784-8777) will advise on Teutonic versions of tomato, potato, cucumber, and other salads. The $18 registration fee covers both a tasting and a drink—sign up here.

Friday, April 17

If you’ve got some flexibility, there are a few slots left for Baconfest (where you’ll get access to a meaty deluge from several of the city’s top chefs) at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd., University Village). Act fast—the only general admission tickets left are for Friday night.

Sunday, April 19

Can’t tell a Cabernet Sauvignon from a Sauvignon Blanc? Eno Wine Room (505 N. Michigan Ave., River North) has an entry-level Wine 101 class, which will focus on the basics of vino as taught by the restaurant’s staff of sommeliers. The class fee is $50, and that includes wine and an assortment of snacks. Grab a ticket for the 6 p.m. class here.