EVENTS
Opus Restaurant
Thursday: “Who Let the Dogs In,” five-course dinner paired with Cru Vin Dogs wines, 6:30 p.m. Guests will help blend Cru Vin Dogs’ next red wine. $79, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. 2575 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-703-6787,
Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest
Friday & Saturday: The seventh annual festival includes more than 100 varieties of microbrews, chili tastings and competitions, live music and more. Visit the website for details. Snowmass,
West End Tavern
Saturday: Wraps up its series of Triple Crown parties with the Belmont Stakes, 2 p.m. Food and drink specials included. 926 Pearl St., Boulder,
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,
Cañon City Queen Anne Tea House
Sunday: Monthly Fellowship Brunch to benefit local charities and nonprofit organizations. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $29.99 adults ($4.99 will be donated), $13.99 children 10 and under ($3.99 will be donated). Reservations required. Next Fellowship Brunch: July 11. 813 Macon Ave., Cañon City, 719-275-5354, e-mail: linda@thecanoncityqueenanne.com,
Bourbon tasting
Thursday: KGNU Community Radio is hosting a bourbon tasting, 6-9 p.m. Several bourbons will be available to sample and brand representatives will answer questions. Appetizers, live music and a silent auction is included. $25, $20 KGNU Listener Members, free for designated drivers. Proceeds benefit KGNU. Crown Rock Room at the Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th St., Boulder, 303-443-3322
C.A.R.E.
Saturday: Colorado Animal Rescue Express presents a wine tasting, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are a suggested donation of $20 ($15 is tax-deductible). C.A.R.E. provides transportation for domestic animals who are going to approved rescues and adoptive homes. Reservations required. The Empty Bottle, 1886 S. Pearl St.; e-mail helpingdogs@hotmail.com or visit
Sweet Tomatoes
Through June 30: Donating all proceeds from sales of its chocolate-chip cookies to Easter Seals, a national nonprofit that helps children and adults with special needs. A bag of cookies can be purchased for $2 at all Sweet Tomatoes restaurants in Colorado. With each bag of cookies purchased, guests will receive a “buy one, get one” coupon for a free meal that can be redeemed on a return visit. ,
CLASSES
City of Aurora
Thursday: “Wines of Argentina,” 7-8:30 p.m. $29, $22 residents; Saturday: “Pop Goes the Weasel,” ages 4-6 with parent, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $31, $24 residents; Tuesday: “Wines of Argentina,” 7-8:30 p.m. $29, $22 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,
Generous Servings
Monday: “Fun and Fresh Weeknight Meals,” 6-9 p.m. $60. Reservations required. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730,
Kitchen Table Cooking School
Today: “Cookies, Candies and Confections,” 6:30-9 p.m. $55; Friday: “Wine Series Class 1: The Soil, The Grape, and the Winemaker,” 2:30-5 p.m. $60; Monday: “Sauces 101,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $80; Tuesday: “Sauces 101,” 6:30-9 p.m. $80; “Cakes,” 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: “Culinary Techniques Series: Quick Sautes and Pan Sauces Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Thursday: “Culinary Techniques Series: The Cutting Edge Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70, knife sharpening available; Saturday: “Brunch for a Brunch Workshop,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $65; Monday: “Great Grilling,” 6:30-9 p.m. $70; Tuesday: “Fresh and Flavorful Vegetarian Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $65. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
CONTESTS
“Grill Your Ace Off”
June 12: Ace Hardware presents the second annual grilling contest to benefit The Children’s Miracle Network. Festivities including food and refreshments are 8 a.m.-3 p.m., competition is 2-3 p.m. Jim Benemann from KCNC- Channel 4 is among the celebrity judges with returning certified Kansas City Barbecue Society judge Jon Rossi. Prizes include a medium Big Green Egg for the winner and Ace gift cards ranging from $100 to $250 for second, third and People’s Choice winners. Entry fee is $50. Visit the website to sign up and for more information. Ace Hardware, 9579 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch,
Hot dog eating competition
Saturday: Woody’s Chicago Style presents its fourth annual Footlong Hot Dog Eating Contest as part of the Culturefest in downtown Brighton. The contest begins at 1:30 p.m. on the main stage in the parking lot of the Pavilions. Contestants will have 10 minutes to eat as many footlong hot dogs as they can. Competitors will be eating their way to a $2,000 cash prize, the belt and the throne. Interested participants should call John Meyer at 303-697-3962.
FARMERS MARKETS
Castle Pines European Market
Saturdays: 8 a.m.-noon through Aug. 28. 858 Happy Canyon Road, Castle Rock,
Colorado Fresh Markets
Saturdays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 30, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, East First Avenue and University Boulevard; Sundays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 31, City Park Esplanade, East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street. 303-442-1837,
Denver Urban Homesteading
Farmer’s market, 1-6 p.m. Wednesday- Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 200 Santa Fe Drive, 303-572-3122,
Golden Farmers Market
Saturdays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 2. 10th and Illinois streets, next to the Golden Public Library, 303-279-3113,
SAVE THE DATE
Culinary tour
Aug. 8-14: Savory Travel, the sister company of Culinary Connectors, a restaurant and gourmet market tour company, is taking reservations for a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, with chef Sean Yontz of Tambien and Sketch. Visit for 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@denverpost.com.
