Your weekly foodie fix

If you're searching for the perfect holiday gift for the foodie on your list, here are a few fun, local options.

First, for cheese lovers, Caseus Fromagerie and Bistro (93 Whitney Ave. 203-624-3373, caseusnewhaven.com) offers a choice of gift boxes that come festively wrapped in raffia ribbons. Choose from a half-pound of Neal's Yard Colston Bassett Stilton from England paired with pear and white wine confit and flatbread crackers; a Bucheron goat's milk log from France with New Haven's own Swords Into Plowshares honey and Scourtins sweet and savory olive biscuits; Neal's Yard raw cow's milk cheddar from England with three-seed crackers and balsamic-onion spread; Abbaye de Belloc sheep's milk brebis (made by Benedictine monks!) with oatcakes and fig-walnut confit; or Spanish Manchego raw sheep's milk cheese with quince paste and fried, salted marcona almonds. Call ahead to place your order ($25 each), or order through their Web site.

For the budding mixologist on your list, the eclectic cocktail kings at 116 Crown (116 Crown St. 203-777-3116, 116crown.com) are offering cocktail classes that can be customized to your lucky recipient's favorite type of spirit, drink or cocktail era. Class sizes range from 8-25 people and are priced accordingly; call and ask for John Ginnetti to discuss details and options.

Treat your foodie friends to a series of intimate table-side teachings from chef Denise Appel and the culinary crew at Zinc (964 Chapel St. 203-624-0507, zincfood.com), where a new schedule of Chef's Table Tastings has just been announced. Sign up for individual sessions ($35 per person, including food, wine, tax and gratuity) or choose a package of any four events ($125, inclusive) from these themes. Jan. 9: all about tea; Feb. 3: chocolate and sparkling wines; March 3: beer and cheese; April 7: wine; and May 5: tequila and Cinco de Mayo.

For the locavores on your list, hit the CitySeed (cityseed.org) holiday farmers' market on Dec. 19 in Wooster Square (at Russo Park on the corner of Chapel Street and DePalma Court) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to pick up not only locally-produced food items (granola, maple syrup, local honey), but also cute new CitySeed T-shirts and locally-made crafts. Special to this market will be Keifer's Kettle Korn (keiferskettlekorn.com); Best Buddy Biscuits (sweetiepies-bakery-catering.com), selling all-natural dog treats and toys; goat's milk soap, lotion and lip balm from Goatboy Soaps (goatboy.us); and more.

If you're looking for guidance on which wines will help make your holidays sparkle, head to Chamard Vineyards (115 Cow Hill Road, Clinton; 860-664-0299, chamard.com) on Dec. 19, when guest speaker Len Gulino, aka The Wine Tutor (wine-tutor.com) leads a tasting and seminar on "Bubblies for the Holidays" from 5:30-7:30 p.m., featuring sparkling wines in a wide variety of styles and price ranges. Call the vineyard to reserve a spot ($50).

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3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."