EVENTS
Colorado Chocolate Festival
Friday & Saturday: More than 100 vendors will be selling chocolates and other treats, 6-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Speakers, live music, demonstrations and contests also included. Special guests include two of the original “Willy Wonka” movie children: Paris Themmen who played Mike Teavee, the kid who shrunk himself into the TV screen; and Denise Nickerson, the girl who turned into a blueberry. They will be in attendance both days and sign autographs. Admission is $12 Friday; $7 Saturday, $3 children ages 5-12. Denver Merchandise Mart, I-25 and 58th Avenue, 303-347-8252,
Divino Wine & Spirits
Thursday: Rose Wine Dinner includes six courses paired with six wines, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. $55. Reservations required. 1240 S. Broadway, 303-778-1800,
BENEFITS
The Berkshire Restaurant
Through June: Will donate $2 from the purchase of every cherry vodka cocktail to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 7352 E. 29th Ave., 303-321-4010, theberkshirerestaurant
Cayenne Kitchen
Saturday: Hosting a bake sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with a live auction 1-2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, a national campaign to end childhood hunger. 372 Main St., Longmont, 303-946-0022, cayennekitchen
Stone House Restaurant
Today: Hosting a silent auction to benefit Voices for Children, a local program that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system. Auction begins at 6 p.m. Stone House is also hosting a New Belgian Brewery beer-pairing dinner today. Call for reservations. 1415 Hawk Parkway, Montrose, 970-240-8899, casanow
CLASSES
Cake Crafts
Saturday: “Choco-Pan,” an alternative to fondant icing, 1-4 p.m. $35 plus supplies. Reservations required. 4105 S. Broadway, Englewood, 303-761-1522,
City of Aurora
Thursday: “Get to Know Bordeaux,” 7-8:30 p.m. $34, $26 residents; Friday: “Mother’s Day Tea,” 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $29, $22 residents; Saturday: “Mother’s Day Brunch,” ages 6-12, 9-11:30 a.m., mom’s return at 10:45 a.m. to eat, $31, $24 residents; “International Food Cart,” ages 12-16, 2-4:30 $42, $32 residents; Tuesday: “Get to Know Bordeaux,” 7-8:30 p.m. $34, $26 residents (this tasting is at the Summer Valley Center, 17400 E. Lehigh Place). Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave., 303-326-8630, auroragov
Denver Public Library
Saturday: Hosting cooking demonstrations 10:30 a.m.-noon every Saturday through May 22 following the guidelines of the book “Food Rules,” by Michael Pollan. 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway,
Generous Servings
Today: “Mexican Cooking,” 6-9 p.m. $60; Monday: “Greek Cooking,” 6-9 p.m. $60. Reservations required. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730,
Kitchen Table Cooking School
Today: “Vegetarian Foods for Powerful Living — Class III,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $55; “Laminated Breads — A Baking Fundamentals Class,” 6:30-9 p.m. $55; Thursday: “Italian Regional Cuisine — Taste of Tuscany,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $75; Monday: “Knife Skills I — A Cooking Foundation Class,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $80; Tuesday: “Knife Skills I — A Cooking Foundation Class,” 6:30-9 p.m. $80; “Artisan and Yeast Breads — A Baking Fundamentals Class,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $55. Reservations required. 5375 Landmark Place, Suite 105, Greenwood Village, 303-220-9769,
Seasoned Chef Cooking School
Today: “Tastes of Thailand Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $68; Thursday: “Culinary Techniques Series: Cooking with Fresh Herbs Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $65; Saturday: “Culinary Techniques Series: Bread Baking Workshop,” 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $60; Monday: “Rollin’ Sushi Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Tuesday: “Culinary Techniques Series: Mastering Sauces Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
South Denver Heart Center
Monday: Dr. Richard Collins and registered dietitian Susan Buckley present “More Food, Less Calories.” Lecture at 11 a.m., followed by a cooking demonstration at noon. Free. Reservations required. 1000 Southpark Drive, Littleton, 303-744-3278,
Spiral Yoga & Wellness
Saturday: “Eat Strong, Live Long,” 1-3 p.m. $25. All classes include handouts, recipes and samples. 4106 Tejon St., 720-334-7124, spiralwellness
CONTESTS
Ted’s Montana Grill
Through May 30: Amateur chefs and home cooks (no professionals) are invited to enter “Ted’s Secret Ingredient Showdown” contest. A new secret ingredient will be revealed every two weeks on the website. Participants are asked to create an original appetizer, entree or dessert that uses the featured ingredient. Ted’s Montana Grill will choose one winner for each of the ingredient categories. Visit the website for details.
FARMERS MARKETS
Cherry Creek Fresh Market
Saturday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., through Oct. 30. Cherry Creek Shopping Center, East First Avenue and University Boulevard, 303-442-1837,
SAVE THE DATE
The Italian Kitchen
May-August: “Cook It and Speak It, Cucina Italiana: Piatti e Lingua,” four sessions of two classes each. Dates include May 12 & 19 (pastas, sauces), June 9 & 16 (risottos, polentas), July 14 & 21 (chicken, other proteins), Aug. 4 & 11 (soups and desserts). Sign up for one or all classes. $69 per session ($59 Westminster residents), includes materials and printed food and language guide. Reservations required. Kitchen at City Park Center, 10455 W. Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, 303-460-9691
MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND DINING OPTIONS
Arugula Bar & Ristorante
Sunday: Mother’s Day a la carte menu includes local produce, local rabbit, lobster and other seafood along with signature items from the menu, noon-8 p.m. Reservations required. 2785 Iris Ave., Boulder, 303-443-5100,
Capital Tea
Sunday: Hosting a three-course Mother’s Day Tea. Seatings at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. $24.95 adults, $12.95 children. Reservations required. 1450 S. Broadway, 303-777-2255
Country Buffet
Sunday & Monday: Restaurants will be serving breakfast until 10 a.m., followed by a special Mother’s Day dinner served until close Sunday. On Monday, standard hours apply. Offering a special “We Celebrate Moms” promotion; visit the websites for details and locations. ,
Cru — A Wine Bar
Sunday: Mother’s Day Wine Country Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $24 adults, $12 children 12 and under. Reservations required. Two locations: Larimer Square, 1442 Larimer St., 303-893-9463; Park Meadows, 8433 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree, 303-708-8084,
Downtown Aquarium Restaurant
Sunday: Mother’s Day Buffet offering more than 25 selections, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $34.99 adults, $29.99 seniors (ages 65 and over), $15.99 ages 3-12, free 2 and under. Reservations required. Aquarium visit discounts available with buffet purchase. 700 Water St., 303-561-4450,
8 Rivers Modern Caribbean
Sunday: Mother’s Day “Island Style” menu specials, includes a free glass of Caribbean Champagne for moms. Reservations start at 1 p.m. 1550 Blake St., 303-623-3455, 8riverslodo
Generous Servings
Saturday: Brunch With Mom, ages 10 and over, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $120 for two. Reservations required. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730,
Hotel Boulderado
Sunday: Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $35.95 adults, $17.95 children ages 6-12, free children under 5. Reservations required. 2115 Thirteenth St., Boulder, 303-440-2880,
The Margarita
Sunday: Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday Dinner, 5-8 p.m. Reservations required. 7350 Pine Creek Road, Colorado Springs, 719-598-8667
Palettes
Sunday: Offering a Mother’s Day brunch or lunch, complimentary mimosa or dessert for mom with any entree, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Reservations required. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, 303-534-1455
Panzano
Sunday: Annual Mother’s Day Brunch, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $26.95 adults, $12.95 children under 12, excludes tax and gratuity. Also offering Bottomless Bellinis for $9. Reservations required. 909 17th St., 303-296-3525,
Queen Anne Tea House
Sunday: Third annual Mother’s Day Brunch, seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $34.99 adults, $16.99 children under age 10. Reservations required. 813 Macon Ave., Cañon City, 719-275-5354, e-mail: linda@thecanoncityqueenanne.com,
The Ritz-Carlton
Sunday: Interactive Mother’s Day Brunch includes wine, flowers, brunch, dessert and moms receive a copy of the “Classic Desserts: Redefined” cookbook. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Fall River Ballroom on the Plaza Level. $62 adults, $22 ages 6-12, free for children under 6. Reservations required. 1881 Curtis St., 303-312-3133
The Serendipi-TEA Shoppe
Saturday & Sunday: Afternoon Tea on Saturday, $18.95 adults, $12.95 children 12 and under; Sunday Brunch on Mother’s Day, $16.95 adults, $9.95 children under 12. Reservations required. 5610 S. Curtice St., Littleton, 303-904-2376
Tavern Wash Park, Tavern Tech Center and Tavern Lowry
Sunday: Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All moms receive a rose. $29 adults, $12 children under 12. Reservations recommended. Call 303-226-1555 or visit for location details.
Mail items at least 10-14 days in advance to Food Calendar, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202; fax 303-954-1679, e-mail living@ .
