Fort Wayne is increasingly become a haven for foodies. Whether it’s the crowded restaurant or food truck offerings, there is definitely something for every palate in the Summit City. But if you like cooking at home (at least once in awhile) there are plenty of fun specialty shops to make that experience even better.

This summer that list of options grows by one with the arrival of Antonuccio’s Italian Market and Wine Cellar which will be located a couple doors down from The Friendly Fox in the popular 07 zip code.

The business will fill one of the older buildings downtown which will be updated thanks to grants from the city, an effort to bring back the glory of some of Fort Wayne’s older buildings and keep neighborhoods vital even as the downtown area continues to grow. Antonuccio’s is expected to open in October.

And if Italian food is already your thing, then you likely know about The Olive Twist in Covington Plaza and in Auburn. If you enjoy dropping into one of our many area wineries for some tasting, prepare yourself for the unique experience of sampling little mouthfuls of balsamic vinegars and olive oils.

The options are almost ridiculous, with variations and flavors you might never have expected. Balsamic vinegars are not only perfect for savory dishes, but The Olive Twist has many that perfectly complement a variety of desserts and fruit salads. Additionally they offer a selection of olives, pickles and relishes, and herbs. For the comfortable chef, it’s easy to drop by and grab something to use in that evening’s dinner.

But for those who aren’t used to thinking outside the oil and vinegar box, The Olive Twist host monthly cooking classes. They’ll host California Dreaming and Jamaica Me Hungry in July, 50 Shades and Italian Farm to Table in August, Knife Skills in September, and Gourmet S’mores and Harvest Moon in October.

For a complete list and registration information, visit their website at theolivetwist.com and sign up for their newsletter. For fun recipes and cooking ideas, follow the Olive Twist on Instagram and Facebook for recipes, many of which use items from their own garden.

Civic fundraising event announced

If you’re already counting the days until a new season of performances from Fort Wayne’s amazing list of arts organizations, it’s only six weeks until the Civic Theatre’s 2019-20 season kicks off with their performance of the classic tale Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

But the Civic has also just announced an addition to their already busy season with the annual Celebrities Act Up, the annual sendup of pop culture featuring some of Fort Wayne’s finest.

As one of its annual fundraising events, Civic Theatre executive director Phillip Colglazier writes a witty and entertaining script which lovingly pokes fun at some of our iconic classics. This year’s Oct. 12 performance at the Arts United Center takes on popular game shows like The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game. The skits will star community leaders and CEOs of area businesses, taking them outside their box to hilarious results.

The evening begins at 6 p.m., and tickets, which go on sale in July, are $90 each and include abundant appetizers, complimentary bar, live and silent auctions, and dessert reception.

News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.