EVENTS
Backwards Man Dinner Series
Wednesday: A weekly dinner series focusing on “the Colorado wilderness.” $40, excludes tax and gratuity. Cocktail flights are an additional $25. Reservations required. The Pinyon, 1710 Pearl St., Boulder, 720-306-8248
Cru – A Wine Bar
Monday: Select any bottle of wine and any pizza from the menu and the pizza is free every Monday in August. Two locations: Larimer Square, 1442 Larimer St., 303-893-WINE (893-9463); Park Meadows, 8433 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree, 303-708-8084,
EventGallery 910Arts & Grow Local Colorado
Sunday: “Cooking as Art,” Iron Chef- style competition between teams of chefs from local restaurants, 5-9 p.m. $10 suggested donation. 910 Santa Fe Drive, 303-815-1779,
Frasca Food and Wine
Monday: French Laundry and Per Se alum, Andre Mack, presents his Mouton Noir wines at the next weekly four-course dinner. $50 per person; wine pairings are an additional $30-$45. Reservations required. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-6966,
Randolph’s Restaurant and Bar
Hosting a Block Party 4:30-6:30 p.m. every Monday with burgers and more. Also offering a three-course prix fixe menu for $29 per person 5-10 p.m. Monday-Aug. 19. Additional wine pairings are $15. Warwick Denver Hotel, 1776 Grant St., 303-318-7272,
Summer Harvest Dinner
Today: Four-course dinner featuring local food and wines from local wineries Mesa Park Vineyards and Reeder Mesa Vineyards, 6:30 p.m. $55. Reservations required. Shazz Cafe & Bar, 4262 Lowell Blvd., 303-477-1407,
BENEFITS
Boppin’ at the Vineyards
Saturday: The Junior Mance Quintet performs at the KUVO/KVJZ 2011 Signature Fundraiser offering food from 15 local restaurants, wine and a silent auction, 6 p.m. Reservations required. Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E. 66th Ave., 303-480-9272 ext. 13,
Cops Fighting Cancer
Staff from the Aurora Police Department have compiled a “Giving Hearts Cookbook” with recipes, baking tips, entertaining ideas and more. Each recipe is dedicated to an employee’s family member or friend who is or has battled cancer. Cookbooks are $15 each and all proceeds benefit Cops Fighting Cancer.
Solterra Wine Festival
Saturday: The second annual festival includes wine tastings, food samples, demonstrations and more, 2-8 p.m. $50. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Teen Center at the Southlands Shopping Center. The Retreat at Solterra, 15250 W. Evans Ave., Lakewood,
CLASSES
City of Aurora
Thursday: “Fairy Garden Party,” ages 6-12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $34, $26 residents; “Tamales,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $60, $46 residents; Saturday: “Party in a Cup,” ages 6-12 with parent, $51, $39 residents; Tuesday: “Zoolicious Dishes,” ages 6-12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $34, $26 residents. Reservations required. Kitchen on the Green, Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E. Exposition Ave., 303-326-8630,
Cook Street
Thursday: “Passport to Wine: Spain,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $69; Friday: “Culinary Date Night,” 6-9:30 p.m. $79 (per person); Saturday: “Grilling: Tuscan Grill,” 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $79; Tuesday: “Sushi and Samurai,” 6-9:30 p.m. $89; “Wine 102,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $59. Reservations required. 1937 Market St., 303-308-9300,
EventGallery 910Arts & Grow Local Colorado
Saturday: “Canning Exchanges & Tastings,” 4-6 p.m. Free. 910 Santa Fe Drive, 303-815-1779,
Humphrey Memorial Park and Museum
Friday: “Harvest Canning: Jams & Jellies,” includes recipes and take home jar, 2-3 p.m. $10; Saturday: “Craft Beer Brewing: Amber Ale,” 2-4:30 p.m. $20. Reservations required. 620 Soda Creek Road, Evergreen,
Kitchen Table Cooking School
Today: “Artisan Breads,” 6-8:30 p.m. $65; Thursday: “Pasta, Polenta, Risotto,” 6-9 p.m. $80; Friday: “Pizza on the Grill,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80; “Summer in the Tuscan Hills,” 6-9 p.m. $95; Saturday: “Global Grill: All American Grill,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $95; Sunday: “Teen Cuisine: Taming the Flame,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $65; Monday: “Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Cuisine of the Southwest,” 6-9 p.m. $70; Tuesday: “The Art of French Pastries,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $65. Reservations required. 5375 Landmark Place, Suite 105, Greenwood Village, 303-220-9769,
Seasoned Chef Cooking School
Today: “Farmer’s Market Basket,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Thursday: “Culinary Techniques: Mastering Sauces,” 6:30-9:30 p.m. $70; Saturday: “Summer in a Jar,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $65. Reservations required. 999 Jasmine St., Suite 100, 303-377-3222,
CONTESTS
Colorado State Fair
“Cooking With Cookies” using Girl Scout Cookies, deadline: Aug. 25; Fleischmann’s Yeast “Bake for the Cure,” deadline: Aug. 27. 719-404-2080,
Dream Dinners
Deadline Aug. 31: The meal assembly chain is hosting its fourth annual National Recipe Contest. Categories include Sirloin Steak, Chicken Breast, Boneless Pork Loin Roast and Your Favorite Creation.
Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips T-shirt contest
Deadline Aug. 31: Accepting original design entries for a Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips T-shirt.
Homemade Memories Recipe Contest
Through Sept. 15: Find a treasured family recipe, prepare and share the meal with a senior and then enter the recipe and story about what makes the dish special. The goal of the contest is to help seniors stay connected socially and eat nutritiously.
Jif Peanut Butter
Deadline Oct. 12: Parents can help their kids ages 6-12 submit their creative sandwich recipe. ,
Meadow Gold Milkshake Recipe Contest
Deadline Monday: Create a milkshake recipe using fresh fruit, candy or cookies and enter the “Below Zero Hero” contest.
Smucker’s Uncrustables Unstoppable Family Photo Contest
Deadline Oct. 5: Submit photos with a caption of 140 characters or fewer explaining why your family is unstoppable.
SAVE THE DATE
Around the World in 80 Wines
Aug. 18: A benefit for Gateway Battered Women’s Services includes a buffet, selection of 80 wines, silent auction and live music with Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck, 6-8 p.m. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m. $65 each or two for $120. The Soiled Dove/Lowry, 7401 E. First Ave., 303-343-1856,
Gluten-Free Food Fair
Aug. 21: The Denver Metro Chapter of CSA presents its fifth annual fair for individuals with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local and national vendors will offer samples, showcase product lines, demonstrate cooking techniques and more. Free. Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave.,
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.
