On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

March 10: Cantina-Style: One Pot Meals Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon
It's cantina time at Rosa Mexicano. Learn the ropes from Culinary Director Roberto Santibañez, as he teaches you to make cantina-style dishes including Zarzuela de Mariscos (cantina seafood stew: jumbo shrimp, clams, mussels and white fish braised with chorizo, baby artichokes and olives and served in a tomato-serrano chile broth) and Salsa en Molcajete (freshly ground roasted tomato (red) or tomatillo (green) salsa). 10:00 a.m. cooking demonstration, 11:30 a.m. luncheon. $55 per person, including tax and gratuity; call Sasha Katanic, 212-397-0666 ext. 27, for reservations. Rosa Mexicano at Union Square, 9 East 18 Street between fifth Avenue & Broadway.

March 12: Spring Forward, Get Grilling!
If only we could get spring to come sooner just by lighting up the grill. It's worth a shot -- Kingsford Charcoal is sponsoring an all day cookout in Madison Square Park. Here's a rundown of the day's events:

7 a.m. - Lighting of the Grills
8 a.m. - Puttin' on Low & Slow. Watch smokers get loaded and recipes get prepared for low & slow BBQ by pitmaster pro Chris Lilly.
9 a.m. - Kingsford(r) Breakfast of Champions. Sample a signature charcoal-grilled breakfast item.
11:30 a.m. - Grilling Latin American Style. Learn Latin-inspired grilling recipes, tips and techniques, from celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez.
3 p.m. - Secrets from the "Kingsford Complete Grilling Cookbook". Enjoy select recipes from the man who wrote the book on charcoal grilling.
4:30 p.m. - Book Signing. First 100 guests receive a free signed copy of the "Kingsford Complete Grilling Cookbook" by Rick Rodgers.
5 p.m. - Mastering Low & Slow. Sample regional BBQ recipes that have been cooking all day, while learning tips and techniques from the pitmaster himself.

In addition, families that pledge to have dinner together once more per week can have $50 donated on their behalf to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University - the creators of Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children. Free, Madison Square Park, 23rd and Broadway entrance.

March 12: Burgundy & Babes
In honor of Women’s History Month, donna da vine owner and sommelier Alyssa Becker offers a burgundy tasting session to women wine lovers, presenting a selection of six to eight wines from the Burgundy region. Cheese provided by Stinky Brooklyn. 7 p.m., $55, couples $100; call 718-643-2250 for reservations, which are recommended. donna da vine, 378 Atlantic Ave between Bond and Hoyt Sts, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

March 12: CulinaryCorps Benefit
As we mentioned earlier this week, CulinaryCorps is holding a benefit to raise funds for their inaugural service-oriented trip to New Orleans from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Acme Bar and Grill, 9 Great Jones St. $20. RSVP to culinarycorps@gmail.com.

March 13: Blue Jeans and Beer Cantina-Style Dinner
Cantina week continues with a four-course, family-style dinner including Caldillo de Filete con Ostiones (beef tenderloin braised with jalapeños, poblano peppers, tomatoes, scallions, cilantro and oysters) and Tamal de Cazuela con Hongos (creamy masa and wild mushrooms topped with asparagus and melted Chihuahua cheese) paired with Mexican beers. 7:30 p.m. dinner; $65 per person including tax and gratuity; call Sasha Katanic, 212-397-0666 ext. 27, for reservations. Rosa Mexicano at Union Square, 9 East 18 Street between fifth Avenue & Broadway.

March 14: Just the Right Latitude: Willamette Valley and Burgundy Meet At North Square
Did you know that the wine-growing climates of Willamette Valley and Burgundy are similar? Join Chef Yoel Cruz at this five course meal highlighting traditional Burgundian ingredients to pair with Pinot Noirs from Firesteed Wines. Howard Rossbach, President of Firesteed, will be on hand to share his insight on the wines. 7:00 p.m., $80 per person. Call 212-254-1200 for reservations, as seats are limited. North Square Restaurant in the Washington Square Hotel, 103 Waverly Place, at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park.