Category: Culinary classes

Your August Guide to Food, Wine, and Events in Fredericksburg and San Antonio

The Moon’s Daughters at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Summer Events in Fredericksburg & San Antonio

Texas Hill Country is buzzing with exciting events this August. From parades and yoga to wine tastings and culinary experiences, here’s a roundup of must-attend happenings in Fredericksburg and San Antonio.

Celebrate Summer at Albert Hotel – Fredericksburg

Albert Hotel (213 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624) is bringing the community together with a blend of beloved traditions and fresh experiences. (Albert Hotel, 2025)

🎉 137th Annual Gillespie County Fair Parade

📍 Albert Suite Balcony
🗓 Friday, August 22 | 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Enjoy premium Main Street views of the historic parade from the comfort of the Albert Suite balcony.

  • Tickets: $125 adults | $45 kids (6–11) | Free (5 & under)
  • Includes: Valet parking, welcome cocktail, bottomless mimosas, gourmet bites, and air conditioning
  • Spots are filling fast – tickets via OpenTable

🧘 ‘90s Hip-Hop Yoga on the Lawn

📍 Albert Hotel Lawn
🗓 Thursday, August 28 | 7:30 p.m.

Flow to nostalgic ‘90s hip-hop beats in this all-levels class hosted with Blossom Yoga.

  • Bring your mat and plenty of ‘90s spirit
  • Stay after for a cool-down cocktail
  • Spots are filling fast. Tickets available now on OpenTable

Wine Education at Copa Wine Bar – San Antonio

Copa Wine Bar (19141 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258) invites guests to an exclusive Wine 101 Tasting with owner and chef Jeff Bridges. (Copa Wine Bar, 2025)

🗓 Saturday, August 23 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

  • Guided tasting of four wines with history, body, and pairing notes
  • Small bites provided (cheese & crackers)
  • Perfect for date night, girls’ night, or casual outing
  • Tickets: $30 per person | Reservations required (210) 495-2672

🍷 Stay after class for dinner and explore Copa’s extensive wine selection.

Clay & Cuisine at Clementine – San Antonio

Clementine (2195 Northwest Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78213) pairs culinary creativity with local artistry for Clay & Cuisine. (Clay & Cuisine, 2025)

🗓 Tuesday, August 26 | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

  • 3-course prix fixe dinner by Clementine chefs
  • Guests take home a handcrafted ceramic bowl by artist Jesselyn Gordon
  • Tickets: $105 per person | Reservations on OpenTable

✨ Come for the food, stay for the bowl.

Skyline Dining at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

On Thursday, August 28, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk hosts the latest installment of its Skyline Dining Series atop The Moon’s Daughters. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2025)

This one-of-a-kind evening features:

  • Sweeping rooftop views
  • A collaborative menu by:
    • Chef Nicola Blaque (The Jerk Shack, Freight Fried Chicken)
    • Chef Luis Colón (Esquire Tavern, Tokyo Cowboy)
    • Chef David Arciniega (Thompson San Antonio)
  • Curated beverage pairings by cocktail architect Derrik Cortez (Sojourn Trading Co.)

💙 50% of proceeds benefit Texas Search and Rescue, a nonprofit supporting disaster response across Texas.

🔗 Ticket information available here.

✨ Whether you’re craving gourmet dining, yoga under the stars, or wine-tasting fun, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate summer in the Texas Hill Country and San Antonio.

Students return to Savor at the Culinary Institute of America

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The pomme frites will be part of Savor’s happy hour appetizers. Photo: Julia Keim, used with permission.

Savor, the latest restaurant by The Culinary Institute of America, is excited to re-open with a new rotation of culinary students after their summer hiatus. Under the direction of CIA faculty, students will continue to prepare and serve dinner as part of their associate degree studies. The students are returning for an official reopening on Thursday August 22 and will spend seven weeks gaining hands-on experience in the kitchen followed by another seven weeks serving in the dining room. The current class is returning to once again share their delicious food and refreshing cocktails with the people of San Antonio. (The Culinary Institute of America, 2019)

In addition to bringing back delicious classics like Irish Pointe Oysters and Steak Tartare, Savor will resume offering their popular happy hour on Tuesdays from 5:30p.m. to 8p.m. The happy hour includes $5 cocktails and $1 off delicious bites including the orange chili wings and pommes frites. Guests can also look forward to a few fall-themed menu additions this October.

Savor at Pearl
200 E Grayson St., Suite #117
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210)554-6484

Lick Honest Ice Creams’ May campaign

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Lick Honest Ice Creams’ May campaign is ‘Fresh is Best.’ Photo: Lick Honest Ice Creams, used with permission. 

Lick Honest Ice Creams introduces the “Fresh is Best” campaign with Flavor of the Month feature and boozy, interactive ice cream events. A portion of the proceeds from the campaign will be donated to Sustainable Food Center, supporting the organization’s mission to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. (Lick Ice Cream, 2019)

All month long: One dollar of all Cilantro Lime sales. The flavor of the month is an original Lick flavor, Cilantro Lime, the perfect blend of subtle tartness from fresh G&S Groves lime zest and savory Johnson’s Backyard Garden cilantro. It is available at all Lick scoop shop locations in a cone, bowl or pint and $1 from all Cilantro Lime flavor sales will be donated to Sustainable Food Center

Important Dates:
Tuesday May 14 from 7p.m. to 10p.m.- Ice Cream Making Class at CRAFT.
Once a year, Lick fans get a chance to learn from the expert himself as Lick founder and owner Anthony Sobotik will host an ice cream making class at CRAFT, where guests will learn to churn the Cilantro Lime flavor with a group. At the event, guests will receive a recipe card and free pint card to be redeemed at Lick scoop shops. Tickets are $45 and are available online. All proceeds will be donated to Sustainable Food Center: 4620 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Tuesday May 21 from 6p.m. to 8p.m. – Beer & Ice Cream Pairing at Lazarus Brewing Co.
Lick Honest Ice Creams and Lazarus Brewing Co. are kicking off a series of public Beer and Ice Cream Pairing events with one that gives back to charity. Guests will receive five beer samples (5 oz.) with 5 ice cream pairings (1 oz.) of assorted Lick spring flavors. Lazarus and Lick will educate attendees on the pairings while they sip and Lick. Tickets are $40 and are available online. All proceeds will be donated to Sustainable Food Center: 1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The Cilantro Lime flavor is available at all Lick Honest Ice Creams locations:

Austin
1100 S Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704

6555 Burnet Rd. #200
Austin, TX 78757

1905 Aldrich St. #150
Austin, TX 78723

San Antonio
312 Pearl Pkwy #2101
San Antonio, TX 78215

Next Master Class at Hotel Emma on Wednesday

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The next Master Class at Hotel Emma on Wednesday will feature the flavors of Spanish jamon. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

The ongoing summer celebration Olé, San Antonio at the Pearl is meant to commemorate the city’s 300th anniversary and celebrate its Spanish heritage. Hotel Emma has been participating by hosting master classes featuring food and ingredients from Spain. This Wednesday August 22 from 5:30p.m. to 8:30p.m., attendees are invited to discover the exemplary Spanish flavor of jamón at Hotel Emma’s next master class. They will be able to enjoy a tasting and lesson taught by Manuel Antonio Recio, master carver and co-owner of Conserva from Portland, Oregon, as they discover the process and celebrate the noble Spanish pig.

Manuel Antonio Recio will be the expert of the day. He is a master carver and co-owner of Conserva, a specialty food purveyor located in Portland, Oregon. The evening will feature a lesson from Manuel and a tasting – all devoted to jamón. Tickets for the class are $25 and available for purchase online.

Larder and Sternewirth will be featuring tapas and dishes specifically designed to highlight the deep flavor of Spanish jamón. Or, find a seat at Supper’s table to experience Chef John Brand’s inspired approach to this ingredient, available all week long during lunch and dinner.

Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St.
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 448-8300

Holiday cooking classes at The Culinary Institute of America

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The Culinary Institute of America – San Antonio is offering holiday cooking and baking classes. Photo courtesy of The Culinary Institute of America, used with permission.

The holiday season is officially here and The Culinary Institute of America San Antonio at the Pearl is offering holiday themed Food Enthusiast classes. These classes are open to the public as part of their Food Enthusiast program. Attendees will receive instruction and guidance from expert CIA chefs and an official CIA apron and chef’s hat. More information about the classes is available online. (The Culinary Institute of America San Antonio, 2016)

Holiday baking and cooking classes include:
November 21 – Holiday Pies – This class focuses on making tender, flaky pies and including the fruit-filled and latticed kinds and especially all the season’s favorites. Attendees will learn everything from dough mixing, rolling, blind baking, and techniques like decorative borders and lattice work.
December 10 – CIA Holiday Favorites – This class tackles the biggest holiday challenge yet: an entire meal from scratch. It includes classic dishes like roast turkey with gravy to non-traditional items such as sautéed duck with Pinot Noir sauce as well as appetizers, sides, entrées and desserts. Attendees will learn professional techniques for carving meats, making home-style pan gravy and presenting food that is as attractive as it is flavorful.
December 14 – Holiday Cookies – Holiday cookies take center stage in this class with a chef-instructor, equipment, ingredients and all the recipes needed to make delicious cookies. Cookie types will include cutouts, piped cookies and the slice-and-bake varieties. Attendees will be making chocolate mint cookies, rugelach and sugar cookies which they will be able to take them home to share with family and friends.

The Culinary Institute of America was founded in 1946 as is the world’s premiere culinary college. It is an independent, not for profit facility that offers associates degrees in the culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. Students can also earn bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary science and applied food studies. With campuses in New York, California, Texas and Singapore it trains thousands of students that are bound for the food service and hospitality industry.

The Culinary Institute of America – San Antonio
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6400