An Evening with Alma's Ari Taymor

Bon Appetit recently crowned downtown's Alma as the Best New Restaurant in America for 2013, an impressive feat for 26-year-old chef Ari Taymor. Fresh off that victory, he and his staff are coming to Culver City to host a one-night dinner at the New School of Cooking. Taymor will create a paired four-course meal, giving commentary and insight into the backstage cooking process at Alma and its reliance on local, organic farmers. Proceeds from the dinner will help fund Alma's rooftop urban garden, a project on which Taymor and Courtney Guerra have been collaborating.

WHAT: An Evening With Ari Taymor at New School of Cooking

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City; 310-842-9702, newschoolofcooking.com.

COST: $125. Reservations required.

Fried Chicken at Bouchon Bistro

Is there any better comfort food than a crisp, hand-battered piece of fried chicken? This Southern favorite is coming to the elegant Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills for an unusual dinner special, using the famous Ad Hoc recipe created by Thomas Keller. The first part of the two-night event took place Oct. 7, so this Monday will be the last chance for the chicken and its accompanying sides: braised kale with pine nuts, rosemary roasted potatoes and pumpkin bread and pecan pie.

WHAT: Monday Night Fried Chicken

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 21, 5-10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bouchon Bistro, 235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills; 310-271-9910.

COST: $38 per person.

Home Coffee Roasting

The Institute of Domestic Technology hosts a class for coffee connoisseurs, specifically those who like to DIY their morning blend. Daniel Kent, owner of Plow & Gun Coffee, leads this Home Coffee Roasting class, in which you'll learn how to brown your own “green” beans. After an hour with the Whirley-pop roaster, relax with a coffee tasting and pastries from chef Stephen Rudicel.

WHAT: Home Coffee Roasting

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-noon.

WHERE: Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa St., Altadena; instituteofdomestictechnology.com.

COST: $95 per person. Reservations recommended.

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