I indulge in unhealthy levels of Food Network Canada programming, numerous magazine subscriptions, and handfuls of food related books. If laden with a caloric count, this would render me morbidly obese, yet I’m never completely information sated.

I turn, then, to experiences and although there’s room for growth, I’ve discovered a veritable smorgasbord of education opportunities for the info famished foodie in Winnipeg:

Winnipeg’s Winter Leisure Guide is packed with activities for the frosty months but foodies are going to be left out in the cold. Registration open less than a month and the ever popular cooking with Kathy Man series is almost entirely sold out, even with new additions Chinese Vegetarian Dishes, Szechuan (western Chinese), Cantonese (southern Chinese), and Fusion Cuisine.

The Foodie (although they insist on spelling it Foody) series at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory also features an expanded lineup.

If you’re thirsty for knowledge, call the city’s 311 service, find out what courses are left and signed up before it’s too late. You can also visit www.Winnipeg.ca/leisureonline

If you can’t get satisfaction from the Leisure guide, check out some of the alternatives around the city.

MLCC also offers supremely informative tasting and pairing courses at their Grant Park and recently added Madison Square education centres, any of which can always be found on my Christmas and birthday gift lists.

The Food Studio has a veritable rotisserie of hands-on cooking featuring top chefs from around the city like Diana Coutu of Diana’s Gourmet Pizzeria. I joined them for their Sushi evening with Sadao Ono of Edohei. It was fantastic, but let my experience guide you.  I’m constantly getting invitations to friend’s houses so I can play Itamae (sushi chef).

De Luca’s Cooking Studio instructor demonstrates a variety of authentic Italian dishes while you sit back and enjoy the feast with selected wine samples.  Each class includes an antipasto, pasta, entrée, dessert, and featured wines.  Our new Cooking Studio is fully equipped with mirrors and a flat screen television for you to view all of the cooking demonstrations.

The Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre offers a suprising number of health focussed classes including Labelling Lingo, Real Women Come in All Shapes and Sizes, Understanding the Glycemic Index, Healthy Pastas, Heart Healthy Indian Cooking, Power Foods that Fight, Create a Stir, The Sodium Solution, Mindful Eating, Cooking: Just the Basics, and Healthyh Desserts.

Mary Jane’s Cooking School offers nutrition awareness, diet and weight control, life skills and feeding the family oriented classes and focuses on sourcing locally produced goods and services. Most classes incorporate basic cooking techniques and home-style recipes as well as cooking with herbs and canning.  Topics may include Vegetarian Cooking, The Kithcen as the Medicine Cabinet, The Healthy Home: Cleaning and Caring; and special topics like Therapeutic Nutrition.

To do some of the leg work, I’ve compiled a fairly comprehensive Calendar of Food Events around Winnipeg. Head on over and see if anything tickles your fancy.