In this season of being busy, rushing around, and spending too much money on holiday gifts, fun and free stuff sounds especially good.
For those in the San Diego area, there’s a Dressing Rehearsal on Thursday, December 12th from 6 to 8 pm at Whole Foods Market Encinitas (687 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024)
And there’s a music performance with Mat Kearny on Saturday, December 14th from 4 to 6pm. Take a break from your holiday shopping to join a unique music and wine experience!
You’ll be able sit down with musician/songwriter, Mat Kearney, in a private setting prior to the public event. Taste some of his wonderful new wine, Verse and Chorus, and learn about his inspiration in a short Q & A session.
Mat Kearney was raised in Oregon, with vineyards in his parents’ backyard. He received critical acclaim for his debut album, Nothing Left to Lose, and is releasing his fifth album in the upcoming year. Now he is honoring his love for wine by working by working with two of the best family vineyards in Napa Valley to create a rich and flavorful bordeaux-style blend.
- Thursday, 12/12/13 from 6 to 8 pm
- Features of the event:
- Beer & Wine – Holiday favorites, pairings and sampling
- Holiday Cheese Board – How to create
- Premier Party Dips sampling
- Coffee and seasonal treats sampling
And for everyone, there’s a free national Cheese Night event that will be taking place in all Whole Foods stores on December 10.
Don’t know jack about cheese? Whole Foods Market removes the guess work with step-by-step instructions for an all-star cheese plate.
Tips for How to create a cheese board
• Pick cheeses of contrasting textures and flavors: creamy, firm, sweet, pungent.
• Contrast Old World cheeses with New World selections.
• On a budget? Buy one or two fantastic cheeses, rather than five or six so-so options.
• Two ounces of cheese per person is a good rule of thumb.
• Let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.
• Serve with bread and crackers for different textures and flavors to accent the cheese.
• Talk to your cheesemonger. They can offer suggestions on which cheeses pair well with others. Not to mention, Whole Foods Market has 147 Certified Cheese Professionals™ in stores throughout the country, who have mastered the art of cheese from making to aging to handling. Don’t forget to ask for a taste!
One lucky winner will win a $100 Whole Foods Gift Card!
Winner will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to reply, at which point another winner will be selected if winner does not reply.
Using Rafflecopter, enter to win the giveaway by completing the first three tasks and any optional ways you’d like to enter.
Leave a blog comment below in response to the first question and follow the prompts for additional entries. Sometimes the widget is a bit slow to load, so please be patient.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also be sure to enter the $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway and the Outshine Fruit Bars Giveaway
I love Whole Foods for their cheese selection and their wine/beer selection. Perfect for Christmas
Oh gosh… Where to begin? The cheeses and bulk bins are fab! And the produce and random items that no one elsevseems to hsvecarevalso big draws! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I’d love to use the gift card to buy presents this year!
Love the whole foods hot bar
I’d pick up seafood, cheese, produce and chocolate
I love Wholefoods cheese and local wine selections! that is what I would buy!!
I would love their cheese..
I would buy some of their fresh fish, cheese, fresh produce, and bread!
I love the hot bar and I would love to spend it on the prepared foods in the deli case, the sushi, produce and some of the frozen items!
I’d love to spend it on bakery and deli items.
I’d go crazy in produce and wines!
I love the salad and hot bars!
I would buy veggies and fruits galore! Plus, a little candy treat for balance ;)
I would go crazy at the bulk grain bins and stock up on cheeses gor my upcoming Christmas party!
I would buy some dried fruit and seeds, great for cooking with. Oh who am I kidding, I would buy their chocolates and sweets and cookies and crackers!
Averie, I love Whole Foods ESPECIALLY for their cheese selection! Your photos of their cheese stands are so enticing! That’s my favorite section in their store! :) I would spend that gift certificate to buy cheese, of course! :) By the way, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a very sweet comment about my old mushroom soup recipe! :)