Get Cooking With Culinary Classes . . .

Rosebud on Taylor chef Michael Ponzio instructs in the art of Italian cooking. (Photo: Rosebud on Taylor)

If you're planning to entertain at home this season, the last thing you want to do is put out platters of cheese and fruit with a side of some old-fashioned punch you found in a magazine. Instead, get some inspiration from a number of hot spots ready to spice up your summer soiree.

From Italian-focused classes with Rosebud on Taylor chef Michael Ponzio to whipping up refreshing, classic cocktails at Filini, I've got you covered in my latest story in ChicagoShopping.com

Burger Bar's 'Beer and BBQ Bash' Returns

Burger Bar's "Beer and BBQ Bash" includes a number of unique craft beers paired with regional barbecue. (Photo: Burger Bar)

I don't typically write about beer- or wine-focused dinners because frankly they're a bit boring.

But I'll give exception to the one coming up soon at Burger Bar because it's more of an interactive experience that allows guests to walk around to several stations with tastings along the way. It's also a chance to mingle, make new friends and actually have some fun.

Chef/owner John McLean tells us: "With our Brew Club at nearly 500 members, turnout for our beer dinners kept on growing exponentially every month. It occurred to us that we could serve more guests if we loosened up the program, set up food stations and beer stations, and encouraged guests to roam, taste, drink."

The last one attracted more than 150 beer enthusiasts, and with the summer edition expanding to the outdoor patio, they're expecting even more.

The event happens at 7pm July 24, with McLean pairing Ommegang Brewery with 'cue from Chicago, New Orleans, the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. See the menu below for the BBQ and beer pairings:

What The Fashionable Foodie Wears When She's Out On The Town

BCBG Max Azria/Farmhouse/Audarshia image via Refinery 29.

Many props go out to Refinery 29, who not only featured 312DD in a fashionable foodie feature, but a few of her fab colleagues, too!

Find out what I love to wear—plus my hot new restaurant pick of the summer—as well as Heather Sperling (The Tasting Table), Kiki Luthringshausen (Beauty & Her Feast) and Amanda Puck (Foodarazzi).

Fun stuff!

Jeff Pikus Upgraded at Sodikoff Restaurant Group

Sodikoff Restaurant Group chef/partner Jeff Pikus. (Photo: Maude's Liquor Bar)

There's been a lot of chef shufflings in recent weeks, which is probably why this one went completely under the radar: The mad-talented Jeff Pikus is no longer at Maude's Liquor Bar.

He tweeted that update in late June—which was spotted by an eagle-eyed Ultimate Insider—and has pretty much been on the road ever since.

What has he been up to?!

Your VIP Tickets to Green City Market's 'Chefs BBQ'

The cocktails you'll get to sip at the annual "Green City Market Chef's BBQ." (Photo: Wirtz Beverage Illinois)

Play your cards right and you'll be sipping cocktails alongside some of the best chefs and mixologists in the city at the annual Green City Market Chef's BBQ.

That's because I've got a pair of red-hot VIP tickets to the event, which happens 5:30-8pm July 12 for one lucky winner. (Entry for VIP guests begins at 4:30pm.)

Here's how you can get your hands on them:

Who Made Wine Enthusiast's Coveted 'America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants' for 2012?!

Longman & Eagle is one of seven Chicago restaurants to make Wine Enthusiast's "America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2012" list. (Photo: Longman & Eagle)

Big ol' props go out to seven spectacular Chicago spots that made Wine Enthusiast's annual America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants list in the August issue.

According to the magazine, the 100 restaurants stood out to the editors because of their innovative menus, excellent hospitality and extraordinary wine service. Here are the Chicago honorees:

Shots Fired: Graham Elliot Kicks Steve Dolinsky Out Of G.E.B.

Graham Elliot (Photo: Anthony LaPenna)

This is absolutely the craziest ass story of the week.

So, according to Eater Chicago, celeb chef Graham Elliot put the word out to his staff at g.e.b. "not to allow (Steve) Dolinsky to eat there." When the acclaimed food writer and television personality showed up for lunch Thursday, he was kicked out after the third course. KICKED OUT.

Michael Simon To Leave Acadia

Acadia bartender Michael Simon. (Photo: Acadia)

There's been a bit of shuffling in the bartender world lately, with Debbi Peek leaving Balena/The Bristol as well as Charles Joly resigning from The Drawing Room for a career-changing opportunity at The Aviary.

Now comes word that the talented Michael Simon's last day at Acadia is Saturday. He posted to Twitter Thursday: