Taste NYC Barkeeping History, Visit the New Harlem Night Market, and More Manhattan Events

Malibu Farm Gingerbread House Workshop, December 11 &  18
Make a gingerbread house under the guidance of a master pastry chef at Seaport’s Malibu Farm restaurant. They’ll take care of basic construction and provide lots of beautiful, edible decorations. The class is appropriate for children ages five and up, (accompanied by a supervising adult), so bring the family. The best part—Malibu Farm takes care of the clean-up!
Malibu Farm. Tickets $45. More info: eventbrite.com

Book Signing with Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest, December 11
New York Times best-selling author Tieghan Gerard will be giving a cooking demonstration and signing copies of her new cookbook at Williams Sonoma. Gerard’s food blog, Half Baked Harvest, and her first book are popular sources for fresh, family-friendly recipes. Her new book, Half Baked Harvest Super Simple, features easy flavorful meals perfect for weeknights and make-ahead dinners— a perfect holiday gift for busy home cooks.
Williams Sonoma Columbus Circle. Tickets $30. More info: eventbrite.com

Distinguished Barkeepers of New York’s Past, December 9
This talk from the Culinary Historians of New York explores the city’s legions of bartenders’ role in the evolution of cocktails as we know them. From the end of the Revolutionary War until the “Golden Age” of cocktails in the 1860s, New York barkeeps redefined mixed drinks and the art of tending bar. Cocktail historian and James Beard Award-winning author David Wondrich discusses this creative revolution and the lives of famous NYC bartenders Orsamus Willard, Cato Alexander, and Martha King Niblo, and others. Festive drinks and snacks will be served.
Campari America, The Grace Building. Tickets $10–$40. More info: eventbrite.com

Harlem Night Market at La Marqueta, December 7
Harlem now has its own holiday night market, held at historic La Marqueta in the newly renovated, (and decorated for the holidays!), La Placita outdoor space. The market features stalls full of handmade gifts from local makers, plus two food courts—one sweet and one savory. Enjoy snacks and dinner from some of Harlem’s favorite vendors—like Amuse Bouche, Barcha Harlem, the Eggroll Queen, and many more. For dessert, stop by Harlem Pie Man, Lokal Artisan Foods, and Made From Haven, among others.  Sugar Hill Creamery, Harlem’s family-owned ice cream shop, will be making a special Harlem Night Market flavor each day. The market will also feature family-friendly activities like visits from Santa and the Three Kings, plus music from Ted Smooth and Stormin’ Norman. On the 21st, Make Music New York’s Jingle Train Trolley, co-curated by We R El Barrio & La Marqueta Retona, stops by for some holiday cheer.
La Marqueta. Free admission; RSVP encouraged.. More info: eventbrite.com

Holiday Cookie Decorating, (Kids and Adults’ Sessions), December 14
Decorate some delicious cookies without having to clean the kitchen. Essex Kitchen will supply you with six fresh sugar or ginger cookies from Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery, which you can decorate to your heart’s content with their sprinkles, icing, glitter, and other embellishments. There will be a separate decorating session for kids and their families and another just for mature cookie artists. They’ll provide festive boxes so your creations make it home safely.
Essex Market. Tickets $5. More info: eventbrite.com