Restaurant chain Carrabba’s Italian Grill invited the media and select patrons to taste a few of its newest food and beverage items at its First Tastes event March 4. Multiple locations around the country hosted iterations of the event to give fans a preview of the new items and garner feedback before the menu’s formal launch. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck)

Renaissance Schaumburg hosted a red wine pairing event to teach novice wine drinkers and wine experts to make the best food and wine pairings on Jan. 15, 2014, in Schaumburg, Ill. Chef James Papadopoulos of Sam & Harry’s Steakhouse presented bite-sized salmon, beef, cheese, and beet dishes for pairing with four different Cabernet Sauvignons and a Chardonnay white wine. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck and Stephanie Cernivec)

Sailor Jerry spiced rum brand celebrated the 103rd birthday of its namesake, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins with tattoo giveaways in major U.S. markets on Jan. 14, 2014. The Chicago event was hosted at Emporium Arcade Bar in the city’s Wicker Park neighborhood. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck)

Newton Vineyards, a wine label imported by Moët Hennessy USA, partnered with Chef Michael Kornick to pair its unfiltered wines with exquisite dishes. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck)

Scotch whisky brand Glenfiddich, a brand of William Grant & Sons Ltd., gives us a taste of its limited-edition 19 Year Old Age of Discovery whisky as well as its Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 19 Year Old whiskies at Age of Discovery’s Chicago launch Nov. 7, 2013. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck)