South Florida Food and Drink Events This Week: Free Tea, Hukilau, Taste of Boynton, & More

Around and around we go; today is the start to yet another lovely workweek. Hopefully, you have a bit of a spring in your step from some indulgent weekend activities. If not, don't fret; there are still plenty of events to keep you busy through your working days. Whether you're looking to participate in a beer pairing dinner, sample food and wine at the third annual Taste of Boynton, or want to learn how to make your own kombucha, there's plenty of food and drink events taking place in Broward and Palm Beach counties this week.

Monday 

Cooking Class at Whole Foods Market (Fort Lauderdale)
Learn to make inexpensive (and healthy) meals for less than $20 with Whole Foods Market Fort Lauderdale when they host their Meals Under $20 Under 20 Minutes session this Monday, June 8. From 4 to 6 p.m. This week, meet Allyson — the store's Culinary Demo Specialist — in the produce department as she serves samples of easy to follow recipes that will save you some cash and time. Follow her weekly journey using hashtag #DishinWithAllyson. This event is free.

Downtown Lake Worth Food Truck Invasion
Summer is food truck season, and that means plenty of new round-ups happening all over Palm Beach and Broward County over the next few months. That includes the second Monday set-up in downtown Lake Worth. Starting this month, every Monday a group of select food trucks will organize at the city's Cultural Plaza located at 414 Lake Avenue from 6 to 10 p.m. This week, food trucks will include Dough Dough's Donuts, Munchie's Snack Shack, PS561, Parabas Grill, Spring In Roll Out, and Taco Fresh.

Tuesday 

Whole Foods Farmers' Market (Davie)
Every Tuesday in June, the Whole Foods Market in Davie will host its own farmers' market from  10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop from various local food and artisan vendors each set up at the store's outdoor patio. Each week, pick up a "passport to local" and fill it up as you meet and greet with each of the market's local vendors for a chance to win a $25 Whole Foods Market Gift Card.

Wednesday

The 2015 Hukilau
This week the annual Hukilau gears up for its 14th annual celebration of Polynesian Pop culture, what stands as the East Coast's largest (and longest-running) tiki event. New this year are several events and feature shows including Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid and her pod of aquaticats performing two special swim shows at the B Ocean Resort (for attendees of The Hukilau only). This year, attendees will also have the chance to sample five new rum sponsors will provide tastings and cocktails featuring their award-winning spirits, including two new artisanal rums, Wicked Dolphin from Cape Coral and Gubba from Massachusetts, both located at the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, which will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Real McCoy from Connecticut will welcome guests by providing tastings during Thursday's registration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Fort Lauderdale's South Florida Distillers, producers of Fwaygo rum, will host a pop-up bar on Thursday night at Pier 66 from 6 to 9 p.m. Event merchandise includes the exclusive 2015 event mug by California artist Daniel Gallardo, aka Tiki Diablo. The mug, inspired and adapted from a design by artist Dave "Basement Kahuna" Wolfe, will have a limited run of 400 mugs, 100 each of four different glazes. Tiki Diablo is one of the most acclaimed mug artists in the Tiki scene and last produced a mug for The Hukilau in 2012. For more information and to purchase tickets visit thehukilau.com.

Free Iced Tea During National Iced Tea Day
Did you know that 85 percent of tea consumed in America is iced tea? And, according to the Tea Association of the USA, loose leaf iced tea is gaining in popularity. Even if you're not a fancy tea drinker, this week might be a good time to try some. To celebrate National Iced Tea Month, Teavana — a leader in high-quality loose leaf teas and beverages — is encouraging iced tea drinkers to reimagine and up-level their iced tea experience with an invitation to come in to a participating Teavana store for a free 16-ounce Pineapple Berry Blue iced tea on Wednesday, June 10. The specials continue June 11-14 with Teavana Iced Tea Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. when customers can get 50 percent off a 16-ounce iced tea beverage and learn how easy it is to make iced tea at home (one per customer, while supplies last). Participating stores include Teavana in Sunrise, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, and Boca Raton.

211 Awareness Day at Whole Foods (Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Boca Raton)
This week Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens as they support local nonprofit 211 HelpLine for "5% Day" for 211, the telephone-based service offered by nonprofit and public agencies throughout Florida and the US. The 211 organizations provide free, confidential information and referral services, and trained professionals are available 24/7 to help callers identify and connect with health and human service programs that can meet a variety of needs including food, housing, employment, health care, crisis counseling, and more. On Wednesday, June 10, Whole Foods will donate 5 percent of its net sales to support the local branch of 211. epresentatives will be onsite to talk about the many programs and services available to those in need. Visit 211palmbeach.org.

Thursday

Saltwater Beer Pairing Dinner at Papa's Raw Bar
Join Papa's Raw Bar in Lighthouse Point for a beer pairing dinner featuring several specialty brews made by Delray Beach's Saltwater Brewing. A grapefruit and pineapple IPA are just a few of the beers on tap for the evening. The cost is $50 per person. The event starts at 7 p.m. For more information call 754-307-5034.

Taste of Boynton 2015
This week joint the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce for a night of food, wine, craft beer, and live music during its third annual Taste of Boynton. The evening will feature the best of Boynton Beach with dozens of delicious menu "tastings" from area restaurants. The Wine Cellar at Boynton Beach will be pouring wines from around the world and locally brewed craft beers will be poured by Due South Brewing Co. The cost to attend is $35 per person; two tickets for $65; four tickets for $125; or six tickets for $185. Tickets can be purchased online. The Taste of Boynton Beach will take place on Thursday, June 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Benvenuto Restaurant located at 1730 N Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach. For information contact the chamber at 561-732-9501.

Fermentation Fiesta
OK, so the name sounds a little funky — but that's the idea. One Kombucha, Palm Beach County's raw kombucha brewing company located at 9475 A1A, Palm Beach Gardens) is hosting a special evening event where they will be handing out sampler flights of their unique kombucha flavors, as well as a variety of raw organic foods made by local artisan crafters. While you're there, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery, and then hang out in the tap room for a few pints and a free class where you can learn how to make your own kombucha at home. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

YoungPro's Networking Event at Bull Market
If you like networking and helping others for a good cause, this week presents the perfect opportunity to do both. Join the Young Professionals for Covenant House for one of its monthly networking events organized to help raise money and awareness for the nonprofit, Covenant House Florida. Fort Lauderdale's Bull Market will be hosting the event and dishing out some food and drink deals. Both non-members and members can sign-up or register online; admission includes passed appetizers and a complimentary drink. While you're there, you'll have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other young professionals. Who knows? You might find yourself getting onboard the Young Professional's 5K Planning Committee, or volunteering for their monthly "Monday Fun Night" at the shelter. If you're more into socializing, simply plan on attending another monthly social and networking event. All proceeds from each event go directly to help the homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth of Covenant House Florida. This is a great event for business networking, a social meet-up, and great happy hour. Admission includes one complimentary drink and passed appetizers. Admission prices include $10 for Young Pros members, $15 for guests, and $20 for new membership registration and the day's entry fee combined. The event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.