From wine dinners to holiday markets, here are some of the Memphis area dining events in December.
Peabody’s Annual Gingerbread Display
The elves at Peabody’s pastry department take their annual holiday gingerbread display seriously.
Every year, the Peabody Pastry Kitchen is transformed into Santa’s workshop. Employees have been busy for months leading up to the holiday—designing, ordering supplies, and building a storm. The number of ingredients used is astounding. This year, nearly 80 pounds of sugar, 120 pounds of flour, 4 gallons of molasses, 3 pounds of spices, 80 pounds of fudge, 15 pounds of chocolate, and 12 pounds of candy were used to create this holiday masterpiece.
This year’s gingerbread display is a Christmas castle surrounded by villages. The display will run until the day after Christmas, when all of The Peabody’s holiday decorations will be removed.
when: The showcase runs until Christmas
Where: The Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Ave.
cost: free
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The Liquor Store miracle pop-up store
The Liquor Store has once again teamed up with New York-based Christmas pop-up bar Miracle to host “The Miracles of The Liquor Store” during the festive season. This is the third holiday pop-up.
The Liquor Store has been transformed into a festive holiday wonderland, serving up crafted Christmas cocktails.
when: Now to January 1stWhere: 2655 Broad Street Liquor Store.
Hour: Sunday-Tuesday 8am-4pm; Wed-Saturday 8am-10pm
Booking: Miracle pop-up not accepting pre-orders
Farm Center Farmers Market Christmas Craft Fair
The Agricenter Farmers Market will host its annual Christmas Craft Fair on December 3rd from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The big red barn will be packed with crafters, makers and bakers. Grab last-minute Christmas gifts, homemade baked goods or find a unique gift for yourself.
when: December 3rd from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural Center Farmer’s Market, 7777 Walnut Forest Road
cost: free
R & D dinner series
R&D is an experimental limited-edition dinner series with seasonal tasting menus from chefs Cole Jeanes and Rande Johnson. A gala dinner will be held at Comeback Coffee on December 4th.
The menu will consist of 12 courses and a variety of snacks. The chefs will guide guests through the research and development of creating the pop-up while celebrating the best ingredients the Mississippi Delta has to offer.
Dinner will include a non-alcoholic beverage pairing curated by Comeback Coffee or a vibrant natural wine pairing.
when: December 4th at 6pm
Where: Comeback Coffee, 358 N. Main St.
cost: Non-alcoholic beverage pairing $145 per person; natural wine pairing $170 per person
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.com
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Celtic Cross Whiskey Dinner
Celtic Crossing will host a Whiskey Pairing Dinner on December 8th. The Whiskey Dinner will include a three course creation by Chef Reny Alfonso and a selection of three whiskeys by DJ Naylor, owner of Celtic Crossing. Alfonso and Naylor will discuss each course with guests in this fun and educational event.
when: December 8 at 7pm
Where: Celtic Crossing Irish Pub, 903 Cooper St.
cost: $75 per person
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.com
Memphis Farmers Market Holiday Market
Every December, the Memphis Farmers Market in downtown Memphis hosts its annual Holiday Market with vendors offering items for your holiday table and gift giving. For a complete list of suppliers, visit memphisfarmersmarket.org.
when: December 10th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Memphis Farmers Market, 566 S. Front St.
Nine Oats Number One Holiday Market
Nine Oat One will be hosting its first-ever Holiday Bazaar on December 10th at the Dory Restaurant from 9am-noon.
In addition to Memphis granola company Nine Oat One, specialty food vendors include Dough Rye Mi, Dr. Bean’s Coffee and Feast & Graze. There will also be several artists and crafts from local small businesses. Harpist McKenna Halprin will perform. Mimosas, Virgin Marys, hot chocolate and snacks will be served.
when: December 10, 9am-noon
Where: Dory’s Restaurant, 716 W. Brookhaven Circle
cost: free
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Magnolia & May Wine and Spirits Dinner
Magnolia & May will host a wine dinner on December 13 featuring spirits from the Old Dominick Distillery and wine from Napa Valley winery Gamble Family Vineyards. Chef Chip Dunham will prepare a four-course menu for the event.
when: December 10 at 6:30 pm
Where: Magnolia & May, 718 Mt. Moriah
cost: $65 per person
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on resy.com
Sugar Grits Brunch with Santa
On December 17th, Downtown’s Sugar Grits will be serving brunch with Santa. Every table is served biscuits, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash brown casserole, fruit, pancakes and grits. All guests will have the opportunity to have a photo with Santa and Santa Claus.
when: December 17th, 9am, noon and 3pm seating
Where: Sugar Grits, 150 Peabody Place
cost: Tables of four or more start at $150 per table
Booking: tandemrp.team/brunch with santa
Australian Wine Dinner at Dory Restaurant
On 17 December, Dory Restaurant will host a wine dinner featuring wines from Legend, a wine importing company that brings the best of Australian wine to the US market.
Legend co-founder Jane Lopes will be in attendance at the dinner. Dory chef and owner David Krog will prepare a six-course tasting menu paired with signature wines.
when: December 17
Where: Dory’s Restaurant, 716 W. Brookhaven Circle
cost: Dinner $95, wine not included
Booking: Call (901) 310-4290
If you have an event you’d like us to add to this list, please email Jennifer Chandler at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com.
Jennifer Chandler is a food and dining reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @cookwjennifer.
