Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Through Aug. 31
During the last full month of summer, Queen Anne’s 5 Spot is serving up edible odes to Texicana cuisine, including anchiote-rubbed pulled pork sandwiches, ceviche, and Gulf shrimp tacos. Menu prices vary. 8:30 a.m.–midnight daily. 1502 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-285-7768. QUEEN ANNE
Aug. 1
Tonight, at the Bradlee Distributors showroom in Queen Anne, you can watch two “local home cooks” go head to head (and spatula to spatula) in an Iron Chef-style competition. The dough you donate goes to FareStart; for it, you get a wine bar, a buffet supper, and access to a silent auction. $60. 7–9:30 p.m. 1400 Elliott Ave. W., 206-284-8687. QUEEN ANNE
Aug. 3
Enjoy a scrumptious salmon dinner paired with a little taste of Norwegian heritage. Hedmark Danselag, a group of Norwegian folk dancers and musicians, provide the music, dance, and gymnastics while you munch away. $18 ($9 for children). 6 p.m. Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 N.W. 57th St., 206-362-3906. BALLARD
Aug. 8
Forget ladies who lunch: How about women who cook with enviable expertise? Nine renowned female chefs will convene tonight at Earth & Ocean to host a fund-raising dinner that benefits Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. Christine Keff of Flying Fish and Earth & Ocean’s own Sue McCown will be present, alongside chefs from across the U.S. and Canada, to prepare a sumptuous four-course meal. $100. 6 p.m. 1112 Fourth Ave., 206-264-6060. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
THE GRAPEVINE
July 31
Free events are always nice, especially when they feature Washington wine from Columbia Valley Winery. Red Apple Market is offering samples of Columbia Valley viognier, chardonnay, syrah, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon at this afternoon’s tasting. 3–6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
Aug. 5
Geraldine Ferraro (the local chef, not Walter Mondale’s 1984 running mate) leads wine lovers on a voyage through Italy at Bainbridge Island’s Four Swallows restaurant, where a prix-fixe dinner will be paired with the finest recent vintages from the Boot. $90. Seatings begin at 6:30 p.m. 481 Madison Ave. N., 206-842-3397. BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
Aug. 7
Be the first on your block to discover the year’s best vino at the 30th annual Northwest Wine and Food Festival. Judges will spend two days evaluating over 200 wines, then the fun begins: You get to taste their picks, paired with a four-course meal. $70. 5–9:30 p.m. South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 425-775-7168. WEST SEATTLE
Aug. 10
Vinifera Imports provides the vino at tonight’s Italian wine dinner at Nell’s. The menu is loaded with gorgeous-sounding summer food (grilled ahi tuna with sweet peppers, wild mushroom risotto with leeks, and hanger steak with yellow and green beans), and the paired wine list sparkles with chiantis, proseccos, and barolos. $80. 6:30 p.m. 6804 E. Green Lake Way N., 206-524-4044. GREEN LAKE
BACK TO SCHOOL
July 31
Summer entertaining demands a seasonal menu. How about roasted king salmon, medallions of veal with oyster mushrooms, and almond pear tarts? Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? You’ll be putting the finishing touches on these dazzling dishes at the end of this Edge of Seattle cooking class. $99. 3 p.m. 16400 216 Ave. N.E., 425-260-6213. WOODINVILLE
Ever gaze in awe at chefs tossing pizza dough in the air? Now you can leave others awestruck with the mad skillz you acquire at a hands-on pizza workshop presented by Cook’s World. $50. 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St. (University Village), 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
Aug. 2
If you could have dinner with one renowned historical woman, would you choose Frida Kahlo? Mata Hari? Gertrude Stein? These and other famous females get the foodie treatment from “culinary historian” Eugenia Van Vliet, who’ll help you prepare their favorite recipes at tonight’s Cook’s World class. $44. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakely St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
Aug. 4
If Lady and the Tramp had taken place in France, the canine lovers would have fed each other fondue instead of sharing spaghetti. Experience the romance of bread dipped in cheese at tonight’s Bon Vivant class, where traditional Swiss fondue will share time with Mongolian hotpot and chocolate fondue. $78. 7–10 p.m. 4925 86th St., 206-525-7537. MATTHEWS BEACH
Learn how to enhance your next meal using everyday sauces. Today’s class from Rain City Cooking School will demonstrate the simplicity of many of the classics, including butter sauces, vinaigrette, and crème fraiche, as well as dessert sauces like caramel and chocolate ganache. $50 (includes a meal). 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
GETAWAYS
Aug. 7–8
In Sunnyside, Wash., the mighty chile pepper gets a weekend to itself—a time to season salsa, spice up sauces, and singe the senses of people just like you. Organized by Guerra Produce, Sunnyside’s annual Chile Pepper Festival features a chile sack race, a pepper-decorating contest, “bobbing for peppers,” and a host of yummy foods (like grilled stuffed sweet peppers). $12/adults, $6/children. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. 6000 SR Hwy. 241, 509-837-8897. SUNNYSIDE
Aug. 13-15
If you’ve ever felt isolated from the farmer whose organic produce you purchase in the city each weekend, now’s the time for such barriers to dissolve. The Quillisascut Farm School is hosting an educational retreat in which participants will milk goats, make cheese, visit a local orchard, learn basic organic farming principles, harvest fruits and vegetables from the garden, and discuss sustainable food choices. Chef Karen Jurgensen will lead participants in preparing communal meals each evening. Space is limited! $400. 2409 Pleasant Valley Rd., 509-738-2011. RICE, WASHINGTON
