On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

March 22: World Water Day
As we've mentioned before, today is World Water Day. Over 290 local restaurants are participating in the Tap Project -- just fork up $1 for the tap water that's usually gratis and UNICEF will donate that money to help provide clean drinking water to children around the world.

March 24: Spring Cooking Class
Join Executive Chef Franck Deletrain from Café Centro to learn how to prepare a menu focusing on the ingredients of the season, like asparagus, soft shell crabs, ramps and fiddlehead ferns. $75, call 212-584-4308 or visit www.rapatina.com/cookingclasses for reservations or more information. 11 AM to 1 PM at Café Centro in the MetLife Building.

March 24: Kids in the Kitchen
Got little ones? If they're aged 2 ½-5, they're not too young to cook! The 92nd Street Y will be offering a class designed to get your kids to have fun and help out in the kitchen. $40, 10:30 AM-12 PM, 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street. Register online or call 212-415-5500 for more information.

March 28: French Cheese, Italian Wine
Instead of intense competition and the occasional head butt, France and Italy will pair up for the evening in a night of tasting from cheesemongers Waldemar and Nadia and Aroma wine guru Vito Polosa. French cheeses will be paired with Italian wines at this event in Aroma's cozy underground tasting room. $45 per person, 7:00PM – 8:30PM, call 212-375-0100 to reserve a space. 36 East 4th Street between Lafayette and Bowery.