Braised pork ribs Credit: © Jamesbox | dreamstime.com

Sit for a five-course feast of handcrafted Chinese fare from chef Vicky Regia. Start the evening with sesame-and-shiitake congee, then move on to smoked-duck salad, braised pork ribs, and hand-pulled noodles with Chinese sausage, shrimp and veggies. Savor a sweet, gingery “bird’s nest” soup to finish. A vegetarian option is available.

Chinese New Year Dinner: Friday, February 16, 6-8 p.m., Brandon Music. $45, reservations required. Info, 247-4295, brandon-music.net.

More food events

Introduction to Smelting: Fishermen review the equipment and techniques used to effectively catch smelt through the ice. Thursday, February 15, 4-7 p.m., Waterbury Reservoir. Free, preregister. Info, 265-2279, vtfishandwildlife.com.

1ST Republic Beer Dinner: Chef Darrell Langworthy pairs hush puppies, bulgogi and pesto chicken kebabs with brews by Shawn Trout and Kevin Jarvis. Saturday, February 17, 6-9 p.m., 1st Republic Brewing, Essex Junction. $65; reservations required. Info, 857-5318, 1strepublicbrewingco.com.

Cheese 101: Learn Cheese Basics: Cheesemonger Rory Stamp guides participants through tasting, selecting and pairing cheese at this hands-on class. Sunday, February 18, noon-1:30 p.m., Dedalus Wine Shop, Market & Café, Burlington. $45, preregister. Info, 865-2368, dedaluswine.com.

Hannah Palmer Egan was a Seven Days food writer from 2014-2019. She was a 2017 James Beard Journalism Award finalist for her coverage of Vermont's food and agriculture industries, and received food writing awards from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. She lives in northeast Pennsylvania with her family, where she works in the outdoor lifestyle and adventure tourism industry.