Y'all, this blog has been quiet because Athens has been a little quiet lately on its food scene. Apart from the news that a combo Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins just opened in Watkinsville on Highway 53, there has been little buzz. Early reports are rolling in from The Branded Butcher, which has started posting its menu (dinner and brunch) on Facebook. And King of Pops now has a branch downtown again (check its facebook page for details and locations). 

Summer is always one of the quietest times in Athens, in some ways, so what better time to work on acquiring new skills? The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is continuing to offer its Cooking in the Garden series, with two on the horizon: "Summer Salads and Stir Fry" scheduled for June 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. with Tim Dondero and Sorbet with a Candied Twist, scheduled for June 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with Carrie Laird, pastry chef at The National. Each class is $30 members, $36 nonmembers, and reservations are required, so check the website. And in August, it's organizing a class on making mead, to be taught by Dan Harris, beekeeper and owner of the Booger Hill Bee Company, in Danielsville ($24 member; $27 nonmembers).