EVENTS
Oatmeal Festival
Saturday: Lafayette hosts its 15th annual Quaker Oatmeal Festival including an “Oatmeal Breakfast with the World’s Largest Toppings Bar,” health fair, 5K Quicker Quaker Walk/Run, baking contest and more. Times and locations vary. Lafayette, 303-666-9555,
Frasca Food & Wine
Today: “An Evening with Guest Sommelier Rajat Parr and Journalist Jordan Mackay,” a four-course dinner with wine pairings and a signed copy of the pair’s recent book “Secrets of the Sommeliers,” $100, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required;
Monday: Kelly Wooldridge of Alpha Wine Company presents the wines of Aldo Conterno 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,
BENEFITS
Twelve
Sunday: Five local chefs donate their talents at this benefit dinner for Revision International, a nonprofit that promotes global sustainability. 5:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner. $125, $50 for additional wine pairings, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. 2233 Larimer St., 303-293- 0287,
USAirport Parking Food Drive
Through Feb. 28: Customers who donate any quantity of nonperishable food items (cans only) will receive a coupon for a future trip as part of the fifth annual Food Drive to support the Food Bank of the Rockies. Details on the website.
CLASSES
City of Aurora
Thursday: “Mexican Cooking Menu 1,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $60, $46 residents; Saturday: “Knife Skills,” 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $90, $70 residents; Saturday-Jan. 22: “Core Technique Series,” 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday, $215, $195 residents. Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave. 303-326-8630,
Seasoned Chef Cooking School
Tuesday: “Rollin’ Sushi Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $75. Knife sharpening available. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
Stir Cooking School
Monday: “Professional Bartending,” 11 a.m. $225. Reservations required. 3215 Zuni St., 720-287-4823,
CONTESTS
Alexia Foods
Through March 1: Reinvent a Classic With Alexia, vote for a potato and seasoning pair, and then match it with a French-fry cut. The new Alexia fry chosen by the most consumers will be available in stores in fall 2011.
Healthy Kids Challenge — Middle School Culinary Contest
Through March 12: Healthy Kids Challenge and Del Monte present Stirring Up Better Health for Kids. Middle-school students are invited to develop or modify a recipe to make it healthier using Del Monte brand fruits, vegetables or tomatoes as a primary ingredient.
Wild Alaska Fish Taco recipe contest
Through Jan. 31: Alaska’s Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute presents this contest inviting nonprofessional cooks to submit an original recipe using Wild Alaska Seafood.
Wolfgang Puck recipe contest
Through Jan. 13: Aspiring cooks are invited to create a recipe using one of Chef Puck’s soups.
SAVE THE DATE
Three Tomatoes Steakhouse & Club at Fossil Trace Golf Course
Jan. 14: Franciscan Wine Dinner paired with six wines, 6:30 p.m. $65. Reservations required. 3050 Illinois St., Golden, 303-277-8755,
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.
