EVENTS
Bartender competition
Monday: Bombay Sapphire and GQ magazine present a bartender and mixologist competition, 6-11 p.m. Free. RSVP to bombaysapphirersvp @gmail.com. Second Home Kitchen + Bar, 150 Clayton Lane
Feast on the Fax
Monday: The fifth annual tour with tastings at 11 restaurants along East Colfax Avenue, 5-9 p.m. $25, $20 in advance. Participants may walk, bike or ride a free shuttle. East Colfax Avenue between between Colorado Boulevard and Yosemite Street, 303-321-3212,
Frasca Food & Wine
Monday: Winemaker Giampaolo Venica presents the wines of Venica & Venica, at the next weekly four- course dinner. $45 per person; wine pairings are an additional $30-$45. Reservations required. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-6966, frascafood
The Taste of Elegance
Today: Ten local restaurants have signed on to compete and produce 20 culinary pairings to match with award-winning beers from the 2010 Denver International Beer Competition, 6-9 p.m. A panel of beer experts and food critics will judge the pairings. All attendees will vote for the people’s-choice chef. Tickets are $100. The Pavilion at the Omni Interlocken Resort, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield, 303-664-5700,
Tasting Tennyson
Thursday: A gourmet progressive dinner with wine pairings includes stops at four restaurants including Parisi & Firenze di Tavola, House, Tastes Wine Bar and Brasserie Felix, 6-9 p.m. $89, includes appetizers, dinner, dessert, wine, tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Restaurants are located between 39th and 44th avenues on Tennyson Street, 303-775-5038
West End Tavern Soccer
Friday-July 11: Opening at 7:45 a.m. for select 8 a.m. World Cup Soccer games. Food and drink specials included. Dates include Friday and Saturday, Tuesday, June 16, June 18, June 20, June 22-29 and July 2-3. 926 Pearl St., Boulder,
Zolo Southwestern Grill
Monday: Zolo chef Brett Smith presents a “Farm to Table” dinner at Isabelle Farm in Lafayette. The farm tour begins at 4:15 p.m. followed by the five-course dinner at 5 p.m. $75, includes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Next farm dinner: Aug. 30. Isabelle Farm, 10029 Isabelle Road, Lafayette, 303-449-0444,
BENEFITS
The Berkshire Restaurant
Through June 30: 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,
Garden Grapes & Hops
Friday: Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual event includes all-you-can-eat food and drink samples from approximately 20 local restaurants, six breweries and two wineries, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $30, $25 members, $20 designated driver. Tickets includes admission, all food and drink (includes soft drinks) and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the gardens’ education, research, conservation and community outreach programs. 1005 York St., garden-grapes-and-hops
Grapes & Galleries
Thursday: A wine-and-cheese tour of shops and galleries in Cherry Creek North, 5-8 p.m. The event begins and ends at Shaver-Ramsey with an after- party (8-10 p.m.) that includes food samplings. $75 per person, proceeds benefit The Home Builders Foundation that provides home modifications for families with disabilities and financial difficulties. Shaver-Ramsey, 2414 E. Third Ave., 303-551-6721
Kitchens on Fire Tour
Friday & Saturday: The 12th annual two-day tour to benefit the Dairy Center for the Arts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This year’s tour showcases kitchens in private residences and professional restaurant kitchens. $20 (cash or check at the event), $18 in advance. Downtown Boulder and the surrounding area, 303-440-7328,
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. ,
Taste of Fort Collins
Saturday & Sunday: Seventh annual festival offers food, beer and cocktails from local restaurants, entertainment, art and craft vendors, children’s activities and more, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday. $5 before 3 p.m., $10 after 3 p.m., each day. Children under 12, seniors over 65 and members of the military with I.D. are free. Weekend passes are $15, VIP/Backstage passes are $45. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Larimer County and Kiwanis Club International. Civic Center Park, Old Town Fort Collins, tasteoffort
CLASSES
City of Aurora
Today: “Asian Cooking With Green Tea,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $56, $43 residents; Monday: “Brain Fr-e-e-ze,” ages 12-16, 1:30-4 p.m. $42, $32 residents; Tuesday: “Baby Cakes,” ages 8-12, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $31, $24. Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave., 303-326-8630, auroragov
Cook Street
Monday: “Burgers and Beer,” 6-9:30 p.m. $50. Reservations required. 1937 Market St., 303-308-9300,
Desert Moon Vineyards
Today: Trained sommeliers from the International Wine Guild present “Wine and Cheese Pairing,” 6:30-8 p.m. $20. Reservations required. 12656 E. Jamison Place, No. 12, Englewood, 303-990-9463,
Generous Servings
Sunday: “Grilling: Cooking With Fire,” 5-8 p.m. $68; Monday: “New Mexican Cooking,” 6-9 p.m. $60. Reservations required. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730,
The Italian Kitchen
Today & June 16; July & August: “Cook It and Speak It, Cucina Italiana: Piatti e Lingua,” two-class sessions. Dates include today & June 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, printed food and language guide. Reservations required. Kitchen at City Park Center, 10455 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, 303-460-9691
Kitchen Table Cooking School
Today: “Cake Decorating — Frostings and Icings — Level II,” 6:30-9 p.m. $55; “Pizza on the Grill,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $55; Thursday: “Art of Grilling – The Pig, The Fish, The Chicken and the 3 Sauces,” 6:30-9 p.m. $75; “Regions of France – Ile de France – Paris,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $75; Friday: “Good Evening Vietnam,” 6:30-9 p.m. $75; “Wine Series Class 2: The Search for the Right Wine,” 2:30-5 p.m. $60; Saturday: “Regions of France — Provence,” 6:30-9 p.m. $75; Monday: “Grilling,” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $80; Tuesday: “Grilling,” 6:30-9 p.m. $80; “Cookies, Candies and Confections,” 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: Fish and Seafood Workshop,” 6:30- 9:30 p.m. $75; Saturday & June 19: “Culinary Techniques Series: Basic Skills Every Cook Show Know Workshops,” 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $135 (knife sharpening available June 19); Tuesday: “Culinary Techniques Series: Mile High Baking Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $60. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
CONTESTS
“Grill Your Ace Off”
Saturday: 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 of KCNC- Channel 4 is among the celebrity judges, along 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,
FARMERS MARKETS
Castle Pines European Market
Saturdays: 8 a.m.-noon through Aug. 28. 858 Happy Canyon Road, Castle Rock, thevillageatcastlepines
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
1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 200 Santa Fe Drive, 303-572-3122, denverurban
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,
Tipsy’s Outdoor Market
Wednesday-Sunday: 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; through Sept. 26. 5869 S. Alkire St., (at Bowles Avenue and C-470), 970-343-0045,
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 oaxaca 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.
