South Florida Food and Drink Events This Week: Holiday Cooking Class, Founders Beer Pairing Dinner, and 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 support local artisans by visiting a farmers' market or two, participate in a holiday-themed cooking class, or take a trip to France (for an evening in West Palm Beach), there's something to do in Broward and Palm Beach counties this week.

See also: Ten Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

Monday

Uptown Art Night at The Blind Monk

On Monday, from 5 to 9 p.m., explore your artistic side -- and your love of good wine and great food -- and create something beautiful at the same time. The food and drink (and painting) event takes place at the Blind Monk in West Palm Beach, where the talented ladies of Uptown Art will be on hand to walk you through a step-by-step process to create your own work of art -- facilitated by a few glasses of vino, of course. To sign up for the event, contact Uptown Art at uptownart.com/west_palm_beach.

Wednesday

Shine at Fort Lauderdale's W Hotel

Amp up your week with the W Fort Lauderdale's Shine - a monthly charity event featuring cocktails, light bites, and a local DJ spinning the hottest music to keep you dancing into the night. Shine takes over every third Wednesday of the month and highlights a different South Florida local LGBT charity or organization. Mix and mingle, raise a glass to supporting a good cause, and shine on. To RSVP, email [email protected].

Mermaid Show at The Wreck Bar

If all you want to do this weekend is kick back and relax with your favorite cocktail and some friends, we hear you. But why not enjoy a little entertainment while you're at it? Every Saturday night, the Wreck Bar at the Sheraton Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale puts on a free underwater show. The bar -- and happy hour -- open at 5:30 p.m., offering a boatload of drink specials until 7:30 p.m. The Aquacats Mermaid Show starts at 6:30 p.m. and features MeduSirena, the fire-eating mermaid.

Thursday

Cooking Class at Cafe Maxx

Join Cafe Maxx in Fort Lauderdale for a special cooking class just in time for holiday entertaining. The menu will include step-by-step instruction on how to prepare oysters three ways: roasted with shiitake mushroom, garlic butter, and bacon; on the half-shell with green peppercorn mignon; and an oyster and mushroom stew with spinach and cayenne crostini. But that's not all; you'll also learn three creative takes on shrimp and tuna three ways, as well. The class takes place on Thursday, November 20 at 5 p.m., and is $65 per person. Entry includes champagne cocktails, and tasting plates for each of the various dishes prepared that evening.

Founders Beer & Food Pairing

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, the Brass Tap in Pembroke Pines will be hosting a Founders beer pairing dinner. Four amazing food courses will be paired with four extremely limited beers from Founders, featuring the brewery's Harvest Ale, Backwoods Bastard, Dark Penance, and KBS. Call 954-367-6930 to reserve your seat.

Pembroke Pines Farmers' Market at Whole Foods

Each Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m., join Whole Foods Market for its weekly farmers' market. More than 40 vendors set up shop at the west end of the parking lot, offering locally grown produce, homemade products, and other unique goodies. Guests are invited to come out and shop for some of the freshest products in town, while supporting their local artisans and farmers by purchasing items like hand-crafted jams and jellies; local honey; exotic fruits; hand poured soy candles; plants, trees and fresh herbs; fresh made guacamole, ceviche and salsas, and more.

Final Tour Du Monde Event at Pistache French Bistro

After a summer-long journey around the world, Pistache French Bistro in West Palm Beach will return to its homeland of France as its final Tour du Monde stop, just in time for the country's time-honored tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau, the annual celebration of the primeur wines -- also known as first harvest -- of France's Beaujolais region. To commemorate this festive holiday, Pistache will offer the primeurwines of the infamous Georges Duboeuf vineyards, paired with a special menu of classic French fare. Beaujolais Nouveau Day marks the conclusion of the restaurant's 2014 Tour du Monde, an exciting lineup of tastes, sights and sounds from around the world. For $39 per person, the restaurant will serve a three-course traditional French dinner (regular menu also available). Participants of the Tour Du Monde promotion will receive stamps on their 2014 Tour passports. Those guests with at least seven stamps on their passports are entered to win a trip to Paris. For those that would be just one stamp off from the entry minimum will be in luck, because a stop in France for Beaujolais Nouveau will earn them two passport stamps and a final shot at the grand prize Parisian holiday.

Nicole Danna is a food blogger 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 Clean Plate's Instagram.