Jet Set Dining, Latitudes, Sunset Key, Key West. photo: southfloridafoodandwine.com

While your attention might be towards Thanksgiving with all its plans and preparations, we certainly are not lacking for things to do, eat and drink in South Florida. So in between menu planning, organizing seating arrangements, and rooms for out of town guests, take a peek at what’s cookin’ from Palm Beach to Key Largo this month.

Ladies wanting to escape the NFL season can and with a good excuse; 15% off spa services every Sunday and Monday through Super Bowl Sunday, February 3 at Aveda Spa at The Palms Hotel Miami Beach. For spa reservations, call 305.908.5460 Palms Hotel & Spa 3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Talavera Restaurant in Coral Gables celebrates its 3rd anniversary with a special “Best of Talavera” tasting menu. Available November 1-30; the tasting menu features a variety of diners’ favorite dishes over the years that are no longer on the menu. Talavera Restaurant, 2299 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables 305.444.2955

Tuesday, November 6 Casa D’Angelo Fort Lauderdale will host a Banfi Castello wine dinner. This five course wine dinner is $125 per person exclusive of tax and gratuity. The reception begins at 6:30 pm. Call 954-564-1234 for reservations. Casa D’Angelo 1201 North Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale.

Thursday, November 8 the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual Key Largo Cook-Off  is set to take place at the Holiday Inn, mile marker (MM) 100 in Key Largo. The juried cooking show, has attracted more than 1,700 dishes and in excess of 500 cooks and chefs since its inception in 1981. The event will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and public tasting starts at 7 p.m. Awards to be announced afterward the tasting. Tasting tickets are $15 per person and only 200 will be sold. They can be purchased at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Boilini Eye Care, TIB Bank and Community Bank, the event’s co-sponsors. Event information: keylargochamber.com or call 800-822-1088

Friday, November 9 at 6:30pm 50 Ocean Delray Beach and Kobrand Wine & Spirits present a World of Tastes wine dinner. $95/person ++

Saturday & Sunday, November 10 & 11, Delray Beach Wine & Seafood Festival, presents Wine & Food Pairing Seminars $20/person /seminar Click here to purchase tickets

Saturday, November 10, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Picnic in the Park offers Latin inspired delicacies and personal hotel escort to the New World Center park; guests are invited to watch Heavenly Treasures and enjoy a new season of symphony WALLCAST™ concerts on a soaring 7,000 square-foot projection wall for a beautiful night under the stars. Guests choose from two gourmet picnics, each picnic is $150, serves two, and can be ordered 24-hours in advance from the concierge, who will arrange delivery and a personal escort to walk to the park two blocks away. Weekly films at the outdoor New World Center park take place between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach One Lincoln Road Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Tuesday, November 13, at 6:30pm 50 Ocean Delray Beach and E. & J. Gallo host a Wine Dinner benefiting The Taste of the NFL. $65/person ++

Thursday, November 15, 10-10-10 Win-Win-Win Birthday Party at Crane’s Beach House Hotel & Tiki Bar will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Crane’s is celebrating its 10th birthday by partnering with 10 popular restaurants and 10 local nonprofit organizations in a win-win-win promotion in which everyone has a good time and everybody benefits. Crane’s Beach House Hotel & Tiki Bar is located at 82 Gleason Street in Delray Beach, just one block south of Atlantic Avenue and one block west of the Atlantic Ocean. The 10-10-10 Win-Win-Win Birthday Party will be held throughout the hotel, around both beach-like swimming pools and the two large Tiki Huts. There is no admission charge to attend and live music will be offered throughout the evening.

Friday, November 16, the Margarita Ball of the Palm Beaches will take place from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m..at the Lake Pavilion, which is part of the West Palm Beach City Commons and Waterfront Promenade; food from Curbside Gourmet, and a free-flowing Margarita fountain will be offered to all attendees. The Margarita Ball is a free public event, with an entry fee of two (or more) new, unwrapped toys with a minimum value of at least $10, per toy which will be distributed to children in Palm Beach County, through the not-for-profit group Community Friends, Inc.

Saturday, November 17, Cooking Class Miami-Style Thanksgiving with Chef Aaron Brooks of Edge Steak & Bar at the Four Seasons Miami from 2 – 4p.m. South Floridians enjoy grilling weather year-round, which can be especially great for Thanksgiving. Master the art of barbecue and grilling a turkey. The Cooking class is $135 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity and include a welcome cocktail, wine and beer during class, a take-home gift bag. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (305) 381 3190. Four Seasons Miami 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami.

Click here for our list of restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner from Palm Beach to South Beach

db Bistro Moderne Miami will host a white truffle wine pairing dinner on Wednesday, November 28th. The reception begins at 6:30pm, and dinner will be served at 7pm. This rare delicacy from the region of Alba will be the focal point of the six course wine dinner. Cost of the dinner is $325 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reserve your seats by calling 305.421.8800. db Bistro Moderne Miami 225 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami FL 33131

The sixth annual “Taste of Harbor Beach” invites guests to embark on a culinary adventure of fine foods, spirits and wines in the name of raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network and Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The event will be held on Friday, November 30th from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m in the Grand Ballroom at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. All ticket sales and auction proceeds will be donated in full to The Children’s Miracle Network and Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. To reserve your advance tickets, contact The Club at 954.765.3022 or contact the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation at 786.268.1831.