EVENTS
Chefs’ Gala & Silent Auction
Sunday: A culinary competition in the categories of appetizers, entrees and desserts among 23 chefs from restaurants and caterers in the Pikes Peak Region, 5-8:30 p.m. Live entertainment and a silent auction included. $95, group rates available. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Springs Chorale. Silent auction items may be bid for online by visiting through Thursday. Antlers Hilton Heritage Ballroom, 4 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-634-3737, e-mail: csc@cschorale.org
Keystone Culinary Festival
Friday-Sunday: The third annual festival offers seminars, tastings and dishes from various Keystone restaurants. The Grand Tasting is 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $100. Lodging packages available. 800-354-4386,
King Arthur Flour Traveling Baking Demonstrations
Free two-hour demonstrations include tips and advice for pies and tarts and sweet yeast bread. Today: Embassy Suites, 7290 Commerce Center Drive, Colorado Springs, noon pies and tarts, 7 p.m. sweet yeast bread; Thursday: Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, noon pies and tarts, 7 p.m. sweet yeast bread; Friday: Aloft Hotel, 8300 Arista Place, Broomfield, noon pies and tarts, 7 p.m. sweet yeast bread; Saturday: Marriott Fort Collins, 350 E. Horsetooth Road, Fort Collins, 11 a.m. pies and tarts, 3 p.m. sweet yeast bread. 800-827-6836,
BENEFITS
Great Plates of Downtown 2011
Through March 14: Thirty-two downtown restaurants in Fort Collins are offering dinner specials for $25.25 from 5 p.m. to close at participating restaurants. New this year are breakfast specials available for $2.50. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Larimer County.
Holy Smokes Cook-off
Saturday: Flatirons Habitat for Humanity and Broomfield United Methodist Church present the sixth annual clergy cooking competition, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $10, $5 ages 6-12, $30 for an entire family, free children 5 and under. All proceeds benefit Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. 545 W. 10th Ave., Broomfield,
“Ready, Set, Slurp”
Through March 31: Both Jax Fish House locations continue their 13th annual Oyster Month celebrations. Events include weekly oyster specials, a three-course oyster tasting menu, five-course shell dinner, drink specials and the annual Oyster Eating Contest (March 20 in Boulder and March 27 in Denver). A portion of the proceeds benefits EFAA (provides immediate needs for food, shelter and basic necessities) and the Gathering Place (offers resources and a safe refuge for women and their children). Visit the website for details. Jax Fish House, Denver, 1539 17th St., 303-292-5767; Jax Fish House, Boulder, 928 Pearl St., 303-444-1811;
CLASSES
Cake Crafts
Today: “Cake Decorating III,” 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays through March 23, also offered 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through March 24, $80, includes course book and supply kit; Thursday: “Gumpaste Flowers Advanced Course III,” 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through March 23, $80, plus supplies; Saturday: “Marzipan Animal, Fruit & Figure Modeling,” 1-4 p.m. $40, plus supplies. Reservations required. 4105 S. Broadway, Englewood, 303-761-1522,
City of Aurora
Today: “Cake Decorating I,” 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays through March 30, $95, $75 residents; Thursday: “Montepulciano d’Abruzzos,” wine tasting, 7-8:30 p.m. $31, $24 residents; Saturday: “Core Techniques Series: Knife Skills,” 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $90, $70 residents, part of a “Core Techniques” series offered Saturdays through March 26, $280, $260 residents; “Cake Decorating,” ages 7-12 with parent, 2:30-4:30 p.m. $51, $39 residents; Monday: “Meatless Mondays,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $60, $46 residents. Tuesday: “Anime Bento Box,” ages 12-16, 4-6:30 p.m. $46, $35 residents. Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave. 303-326-8630,
Seasoned Chef Cooking School
Today: “Indian Treasures Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $65; Thursday: “Culinary Techniques Series: Fish and Seafood Workshop,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $75; Saturday & March 12: “Culinary Techniques Series: Basic Skills Every Cook Should Know Workshops,” 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $140; Monday: “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: Weekly health series begins with “Healthy Whole Grains!” Includes lecture and cooking demonstration. 11 a.m. Free. Reservations required. 1000 Southpark Drive, Littleton, 303-744-3278,
CONTESTS
Crisco Mediterranean Inspirations
Through March 18: Submit your recipe and essay about how Crisco Olive Oil inspired you in the kitchen. Entries may be submitted in one of three categories: Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Crisco Pure Olive Oil or Crisco Light Tasting Olive Oil.
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.
“PB My Way”
Through March 31: Southern Peanut Growers (SPG) are inviting consumers to enter recipes that are anything but a sandwich. For each recipe received during National Peanut Month in March, SPG will donate a jar of peanut butter (up to 4,000) to the hunger relief organization Feeding America. Visit the website for guidelines.
SAVE THE DATE
The Capital Grille
Beginning March 14: The Capital Grille will offer a Cabernet Sauvignon for its second annual Artist Series Wine Event. Capital Grille will donate $25 from the sale of each bottle to Share Our Strength and its mission to end childhood hunger. 1450 Larimer St., ,
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.
