Flavor up your week with these 5 great food events: BBQ, beer, gardens

The holiday hangover is officially over. Start off the second week of 2015 with beer festivals, barbecue specials and more.

If vegetarian is the way you roll, Meatless Mondays at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch (1901 Vine St.)  is just for you! On Monday, Jan. 5, guests can learn about the advantages of not eating meat as well as sampling delicious food plates. The class starts at 6 p.m.

Starting on Wednesday, Jan. 7, sizzle up your week at Percy Street Barbecue (900 South St.) as the weekly all-you-can-eat ribs deal is back. For $27 a person you get all the lip smackin' ribs you can handle plus French fries, coleslaw, and cornbread. "Meat up" with your friends and enjoy this special every Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m.

If you still are pondering what your favorite beer in the world is, from Friday, Jan. 9 through Saturday, Jan. 10 the Big Philly Beerfest will truly make sure you figure it out as 350+ beers get poured at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.). Tickets start at $45 and the event starts at 6:30 p.m. for early admission and 7:30 p.m. for general admission.

You have a pretty garden, but wouldn't it be much cooler if you could eat it? The Schuylkill Center of Environmental Education (8480 Hagy's Mill Rd.) is the place to be on Saturday, Jan. 10 during a fun class entitled Delicious Gardens and Weeds. Forager Tama Matsuoka Wong will walk guests through the Schuylkill Center's lands and discuss various garden types perfect to grow for a delicious meal in the future. The class starts at 11 a.m. and costs $20 per person.

Treating yourself to a hearty meal never hurt anyone. On Sunday, Jan. 11, Pumpkin restaurant (1713 South St.) offers a five-course prix fixe menu for $40 and features a variety of selected courses from the kitchen. Check their website to see what is being offered this week. The restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m.