Friends, family members and fans gathered at Jake’s in Willow Glen on Monday night for a season finale viewing party of Next Great Baker TV show on TLC to cheer for local baker Jen Kwapinski, owner of Jen’s Cakes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t her night to shine in the TV spotlight.
Lauren Yee’s provocatively titled Ching Chong Chinaman is making its San Jose debut at City Lights Theater with a production directed by Jeffrey Bracco.
Shoun hopes to save Andy’s Pet Shop by splitting the business into two entities: a nonprofit adoption center for the animals and a for-profit food/supply store.
The pancakes at Michelle’s, which is actually a Chinese restaurant, are bite-size rounds with a paper-thin dough on the outside and a savory blend of meat, veggies and spices on the inside, all cooked on the griddle.
The fifth annual SF Beer Week runs from Fri., Feb. 8, to Sun., Feb. 17, and a record number of events are planned throughout the Bay Area. Among the many South Bay participants are Harry’s Hofbrau, Wine Affairs, Original Gravity Public House, Rose & Crown, Liquid Bread Gastropub, and Hermitage and Strike brewing companies.
Jen Kwapinski, a professional baker from San Jose, made it to the final round of Next Great Baker, on TLC. with competitors Gretel Ann Fischer (Colchester, VT) and Ashley Holt (Louisville, KY). The finalists will be competing in Las Vegas for the season finale in a two-part challenge special. The challenge, judging from the trailer, appears to kick off with a similar challenge as last season’s finale – bake and sell as many Carlo’s Bakery specialties to make the highest profit along with creating the best Las Vegas themed cake.
Before the big game this weekend, the Bay Area has another “W” to look forward to courtesy of San Jose’s Jon Fitch (24-4-1 MMA, 14-2-1 UFC). As part of the UFC 156 card, Fitch will fight Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Damian Maia (17-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC).
In addition to gambling and dining and drinking options, Zone 8 is now hosting weekly jazz performances on Saturday nights. Popular local act Octobop kicked off the series in January and Gail Dobson performed the following Saturday. The lineup for early 2013 includes artists, such as David Ladd, Smith Dobson, John Worley, and Diminished Blue.
Here are some races this year that are manageable yet fun for first-time runners and for those looking to break a new personal record.
After taking a winter break, South First Fridays returns for its eighth year on Feb 1. The usual venues are back for the free SoFA District art walk with a new eclectic selection of artists on display and other entertainment.
