MONDAY

It’s National Pizza Week! Frasca celebrates Monday through Friday with two specialty pizzas for $14. Will you do the Caponata (eggplant, goat cheese, artichokes) with the Quattro Formaggi (mozzarella, gorgonzola, ricotta, provolone) or the Pepperoni with the Margherita? Why choose—with a whole week you can try them all. 4:30–10pm. 3358 North Paulina St (773-248-5222).

Chef Homaro Cantu’s culinary ideas occasionally seem as though they would fit better in a George Lucas film (and by film I mean the first Star Wars and by George Lucas we mean 1970s Lucas, not 2000s Lucas), but that’s kinda the point. At the Chemistry of Cooking discussion, get a glimpse at how chef Cantu and his business partner Dr. Linda Kawano use science and technology to create stellar cuisine. 6–7:30pm. Chicago Cultural Center. 77 E Randolph (312-744-6630).

TUESDAY

I’m pretty sure I know the vodka basics: drink chilled, drink often and drink till it’s gone. But if you’re craving more, check out the Vodka 101 class offered at Brasserie Jo as part of their week-long Vodka Fest. Learn to mix vodka cocktails and enjoy appetizers at this wallet-friendly class. $1. 7–8pm. 59 W Hubbard St (312-595-0800).

Everyone needs a morning pick-me-up. Some take a shot of espresso to give them the edge; others take a shot of tequila to take the edge off. But the overlooked breakfast beer gets the spotlight at Whole Food’s Beer for Breakfast discussion. Taste and learn about the best brews to bite back the dog that bit you. $10. 7–9pm. 3300 N Ashland Ave (773-244-4200).

Maybe you’ve come for brunch or noshed on some mac and cheese while Pete Wentz got into his game of slap-’n-tickle-turned-bloody, but Schuba’s Harmony Grill wants to introduce you to their dinner menu and new resident chef, Rafael Lopez. The beer dinner features Goose Island beers alongside grilled quail with white bean cassoulette and seared lamb loin with shitake mushroom risotto. $60. 6:30pm. 3159 N Southport Ave (773-525-2508 x17).

WEDNESDAY

With winter in full swing, there’s not much to do except prepare for the summer. Carnivale’s mixologist Victor Baheza dishes on how to make the perfect summer drink in the Mojitos 101 class. And if you just can’t wait till summer, crank up your heater, throw on a Hawaiian shirt and put “Kokomo” on repeat while you whip up a round of these babies. $25. 6:30–8:30pm. 702 W Fulton Market (312-850-5005).

THURSDAY

In Fine Spirits celebrates their fourth anniversary in conjunction with the launch of their online shop by way of a grand tasting. Sample over 75 in-store products and also score some sweet online discounts. $15. 6–8:30pm. 5418 N Clark (infinespirits.com).

FRIDAY

You probably first heard about Barack Obama as a State Senator, then as a US Senator and now as the President-elect, but now see him as a restaurant critic. Footage from 2001 of Obama discussing his dining experience of Dixie Kitchen on a never-aired episode of Check Please! - clips of it popped up online last week - will be broadcast tonight. Will politicians as restaurant reviewers be a new trend in 2009? We look forward to Blagojevich’s thoughts on prison cuisine. 8pm. WTTW.

SATURDAY

Check out some limited edition and specialty craft brews at Sheffield’s first Beer School Beer Festival. Several breweries, including Two Brothers, Allagash and Flossmoor Station, will have representatives, brewers and even owners on hand to talk suds. $40 for 12 drink tickets.  1–4pm. 3258 N Sheffield (773-281-4989).

National Pizza Week comes to an end but get one final celebration in with the Pizza and Wine tasting at the Cellar Rat Wine Shop. Pit four white and four red wines against one another to see which goes best with the pie. 3–6pm. 1811 W North Ave (773-489-2728).

SUNDAY

Today is the last day to celebrate the first anniversary week at Stretch Run. In addition to getting $12.50 Blue Moon pitchers, guests can participate in the Tournament of Games (think Golden Tee and Bag Toss) to score prizes. 11–1am. 544 North LaSalle (312-644-4477).