EVENTS
Bácaro Venetian Taverna
The Boulder restaurant is celebrating its 13th anniversary in November with a variety of customer-appreciation specials. Happy Hour pricing is offered nightly through Sunday; First Bite Boulder, a multicourse meal for $26, Nov. 12-20; Prezzo Fisso/Fixed Price dinner menus, $16 per person, Nov. 21-28. 921 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-4888,
2010 Denver International Wine Festival
Today-Sunday: The sixth annual wine and food festival features 400 wines from 18 countries. Dinners, competitions, tastings and more are scheduled throughout the festival. Times, tickets and locations vary, 303-664-5700,
DU Vin Festival
Saturday: The annual festival is the culmination of work by senior students from the Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver. Festivities include a scholarship brunch, a grand tasting and a wine pairing dinner featuring a five-course meal with selections from the Robert Mondavi Winery. Call or visit the website for tickets and reservations. University of Denver, 2199 S. University Blvd.,
Maggiano’s Downtown
Thursday: Five-course Gluten-Free Wine Dinner, 7 p.m. $59.95, includes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. 500 16th St., 303-260-7708,
Opus Restaurant
Today: Grand Vintners Dinner, a four-course menu featuring Michael-David wines, 6:30 p.m. $59, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. 2575 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-703-6787,
Wynkoop’s Year in Beers
Saturday: A reserved keg of every Wynkoop Brewing Co. beer made in 2010, nearly 35 beers, 1-4:30 p.m. Tickets for a complete sampling of all beers can be purchased for $20 on the website. Tickets also available at the door along with sampler packs of five taster tokens for $5. 1634 18th St., 303-297-9999,
BENEFITS
“Colfax Fights Hunger”
Through Dec. 31: The second annual community food drive benefits Denver Urban Ministries () and Metro CareRing (). Visit the website for a list of locations where food/non-perishables may be dropped off.
Healthy Snack Drive
Infinity Park in Glendale is sponsoring the Healthy Snack Drive collecting nonperishable, healthy snacks for participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs. Donation collection boxes are located in the Whole Foods Market, 870 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, through Friday; Infinity Park Stadium, 4599 E. Tennessee Ave., Glendale, during the rugby game on Saturday (fans making donations are admitted for free); and at the entrance to the Glendale Sports Center at Infinity Park through Friday during regular business hours. Big Brothers Big Sisters recruits, screens and trains adult volunteer mentors to help at-risk youth in Colorado. 303-433-6002,
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Thursday: “Day of Tips,” employees will donate all of their tips from their shift to Rock Bottom’s Thanksgiving Gathering offering a traditional meal to individuals and families in the homeless community. 1001 16th Street Mall, 303-534-7616,
CLASSES
Camp Culinary Holiday Cooking Classes
Saturday: “Getting Ready for Turkey Day,” 1 p.m. $5; “Keep Your Eyes on the Pies,” 3 p.m. $25. Additional Thanksgiving classes are offered Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. There is a discount if signed up for all four classes. Reservations required. Boulder, 303-819-9017, campculinaryboulder
City of Aurora
Thursday: Tamales, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $56, $43 residents; Saturday: Full Flavored Vegetarian, ages 7-12 with parent, 1-3:30 p.m. $51, $39 residents; Tuesday: Gluten Free Holiday Baking, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $56, $43 residents. Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave. 303-326-8630, recreation
Colorado Cookie Co.
Thursday: Demonstration and hands-on Candy, Chocolates, Cookies and Snacks Making Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $25. Reservations required. 1450 Carr St., Lakewood, 303-238-5590,
Generous Servings
Monday: “Practice Thanksgiving,” 6- 9:30 p.m. $74. Reservations required. 3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730,
Seasoned Chef Cooking School
Today: Traditional Tapas Workshop, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Thursday: Classic Spanish Cuisine Workshop, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Saturday: Culinary Techniques Series: Fish and Seafood Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $75; Monday: Couples Workshop: Southwestern Brunch, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $68; Tuesday & Nov. 16: Culinary Techniques Series: Basic Skills Every Cook Should Know Workshops, 6-9:30 p.m. $140. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
South Denver Heart Center
Monday: Dr. Richard Collins and registered dietitian Susan Buckley present “Holiday Eating – How to Avoid the Dreaded Weight Gain from Holiday Overindulgence!” with a lecture and cooking demonstration. 11 a.m. Free. Reservations required. 1000 Southpark Drive, Littleton, 303-744-3278,
CONTESTS
Chocolate Adventure Contest
Through Jan. 2: Scharffen Berger’s and present the fourth annual “Chocolate Adventure Contest — Cupcake Edition 2010.” Bakers are invited to develop an original cupcake recipe using Scharffen Berger chocolate and one or more of 14 “adventure ingredients.”
Folgers Home for the Holidays
Through Nov. 30: Five families will win a holiday trip home by submitting a 200-word essay answering, “What is the best part of wakin’ up at home during the holidays with Folgers coffee?”
Smokebrush Porter Beer Label Design Contest
Through Dec. 10: Bristol Brewing Co. and the Smokebrush Foundation are seeking designs from Colorado residents for the 2011 edition of the Smokebrush Porter Beer. Design entry is free. ,
Taste of Home Teachers Recipe Contest
Through Nov. 30: Accepting submissions in six categories including “Appetizers & Snacks,” “Soups, Salads and Sides,” “Entrees,” “Desserts,” “Bake Sale” and “Healthy Recipes.” Three winners will be selected. or
SAVE THE DATE
“Promise for a Future”
Nov. 10: Attention Homes and the Flagstaff House present the sixth annual Promise for a Future dinner, live and silent auctions to benefit homeless and at-risk youth in Boulder and Broomfield counties. 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150. Proceeds from the dinner assist and support at-risk homeless teens through two centers and a street outreach program. Donations for the auctions along with financial, clothing, goods and services are also needed. The Flagstaff House, 1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder,
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@ .
