Fight away that cold weather with some of these warm meals.

A Czech meal that is influenced by many cuisines, but has most similarities with French cooking, svckov na smetane is one of the most popular Czech meals. Mostly prepared for special occasions, the meal includes beef roast, side dumplings, creamy svckov sauce, cranberries, lemon and whipped cream. This Kirkwood Community College Continuing Education course will cover the preparation and cooking of all aspects of this Czech meal.

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: NewBo City Market, Kirkwood Kitchen, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Cost: $75 for two participants

Details: (319) 398-1022, kirkwood.edu/ce

Join WineStyles for a six course meal with wine pairings, prepared by Chef Andy Deutmeyer. The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a sparkling wine welcome with an aperitif and jazz music by Jim Buenning, with dinner at 6:30 p.m.

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: WineStyles Cedar Rapids, 4201 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids

Cost: $75 to $85

Details: (319) 200-4171, winestyles.com/cedarrapids

Join Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development for a homegrown brunch and conversation. This celebration of local family farms, food hubs, farmers markets and more will feature food from area producers, prepared by The Hotel at Kirkwood Centers Chef Joshua Spalding.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Sunday

Where: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids

Cost: $40 to $45

Details: iowavalleyrcd.org/brunch

Facilitators Tara King, Laurie Erlacher and Jenifer Hanson will lead an afternoon of bread baking and exploring the connections bread makes in lives and spirits. Participants will return home with a fresh-baked loaf of homemade bread. No bread making experiences is necessary.

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha

Cost: $30

Details: (319) 395-6700

Dive into gin with this immersive hands-on cocktail class taught by Joshua OConnell.

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Rodina, 1507 C St. SW, Cedar Rapids

Cost: $65

Details: (319) 200-2515, facebook.com/pg/rodinaiowa/events

Continued here:

Czech out Svickova Na Smetane and get spiritual about bread: this week's food events in Eastern Iowa - The Gazette