Congratulations

Winners of the Batesburg-Leesville Chili cook-off have been announced. Congrats toChef Lois Black and ButchLoy for LoLo’s famous Napa Valley Big Red Chili for winning the championship. Ronald and Jeremy Black were first runner-up; People’s Choice winner was the Bi-Lo team of David Collins and Lee Shealy. Best Booth display was Billy and Regina Elders.

Compete

Bring it! The 26th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Five Points is Nov. 3. Think you’ve got what it takes to win? Prizes will be awarded for best vegetarian, best exotic, best bar/restaurant, best edible hot chili, overall best set-up and best American Hero’s Chili (fire stations, police, Armed Forces). Set-up begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 3, live music begins at 2 p.m., judging begins at 4:30 p.m., winners announced at 6:45 p.m. Sign up/more information at fivepointscolumbia.com

Festivals/Events

Halloween Celebration at Sandhill Farmers Market 2-6 p.m. Oct. 30. Kids can trick-or-treat with the vendors and decorate a pumpkin or gourd. Costume contest begins at 4 p.m. with categories for ages 0-3, 4-6 and 7-11; bring in your carved pumpkin for the Kids Carved Pumpkin Contest at 4 p.m. Live music, face painting and local foods and craft items. Sandhills REC, 900 Clemson Road, across from Village at Sandhill, (803) 699-3190

Gourmet Shop Wine Tasting 6 p.m. Nov. 1 with JP Chambas and featuring the wines of Jean-Michel Cazes from Bordeaux. $35 per person, advance reservations only, (803) 799-9463 or thegourmetshop.net. The Gourmet Shop, 724 Saluda Ave.

Giant Wine Tasting and Sale at Rosso noon-2:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Sample more than 75 Italian wines as well as food from Rosso’s kitchen. It’s a great chance to learn about the wines and stock your cellar with great deals and holiday finds while enjoying an amazing lunch. Bring a donation of pet food (for dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) to be given to local shelters and you get a free bottle of wine. Tickets $20, available at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6hdts5c7c97c4cd&llr=ogjtf5iab or call Rosso Trattoria Italia, 4840 Forest Drive (in Trenholm Plaza), (803) 787-3949

Speaking of wine, Sip and Stroll returns to Sumter 6-9 p.m. Nov. 2. More than a dozen downtown businesses will be open for patrons to enjoy domestic and imported wines paired with a variety of food. Live music and other entertainment continues through the evening. Tickets $25 in advance, $35 at door, $20 for military (if purchased on Shaw Air Force Base with valid military I.D.) Proceeds to benefit Sumter County senior citizens. Information and tickets at Sumter Senior Services, (803) 773-5508, sumterseniorservices.org

Gamecock Nation: Have lunch with the coaches! Help support Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital Cancer Center at Coaches Curing Kids Cancer luncheon with USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner, Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley, Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook and All-American Michael Roth 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 701 Whaley. Meet and greet the Gamecocks, enjoy food prepared by Chef Todd Adams and bid on autographed items and silent auction. Tickets $60 per person, sponsorship tables available at different levels. Information: Gina Janvrin, gina@curingkidscancer.org; buy tickets online at curingkidscancer.org

Bubbie’s Brisket and Bakery is accepting pre-orders! While the big extravaganza is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 18, at Beth Shalom Synagogue, you can pre-order some of the mouthwatering treats such as kugel, corned beef sandwiches, tzimmes, brisket, matzah ball soup, stuffed cabbage and more. Call the synagogue to pre-order, (803) 782-2500, or plan to attend the event and enjoy some wonderful homemade kosher Jewish foods. Beth Shalom Synagogue is at 5827 N. Trenholm Road; BethShalomColumbia.org

Learn about farming at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference this weekend in Greenville. Packed with workshops, farm tours and hands-on classes focusing on sustainable farming methods, community gardening, food policy activism, a whole track for beginning farmers and specialty classes on topics such as permaculture, farm marketing, organic beekeeping, livestock, aquaponics and more. For more information, schedule at http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/events

Girls with Grills! Ladies mark your calendars for the ladies-only BBQ and grilling class hosted by Master Barbecue Champion JT Handy and award-winning pit master Mark Busbee of Smokin’ Cole’s Sauces and Rubs. This all-day class at the S.C. Farmers Market Demo Kitchen will give you grilling tips and techniques guaranteed to impress with a combination of lecture, demo and hands-on instruction. Learn the proper methods of grilling over charcoal and the safe and proper use of gas grills and “low and slow” techniques. You will prepare baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, grilled sides and dessert. Class is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 10, $125 per person includes lunch and a take-home half rack of ribs. Contact Tim Handy (843) 214-3736 or Mark Busbee (803) 513-6087. Download the Girls with Grills form from thestate.com (with this calendar), complete and mail to Mark Busbee, dba Q Fore U, 180 Berry Hill Lane, Gaston, SC 29053

Want to know if your freshly caught fish is safe to eat? DHEC’s “Fish Smart, Eat Smart” campaign provides you with a statewide map with the latest advisories, information and other materials to help anglers determine whether to keep or release the fish that they catch in South Carolina waters. www.scdhec.gov/fish

Market News

Sandhills Farmers Market along Clemson Road, across from Village at Sandhill, is open 2-7 p.m. every Tuesday through November. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions. Information at http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill or (803) 699-3719, (803) 788-5700

Healthy Carolina Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Greene Street in front of the Russell House at USC Oct. 16, 23, 30

Soda City All-Local Market, 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday at the 1500 block of Main Street. Dozens of vendors will have local food, crafts and other treasures.

Vista Guild Farmers Market 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Lincoln Street in front of Blue Marlin Restaurant

Farmers in the Forest, the Forest Acres Farmers Market at Richland Mall, is open 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays through October.

Rosewood Market Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, 2803 Rosewood Drive (803) 256-6410

Northeast Farmers Market at Lake Carolina is open 3-7 p.m. Thursdays at Town Center.

First Market at First Nazareth Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, 2351 Gervais St.

Town of Lexington Farmers Market is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 27 at 206 N. Church St.

Classes

Clemson Extension Service is hosting “Basics of Pressure and Water Bath Canning for the Holidays” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Phillips Market Center at the State Farmers Market in West Columbia. Nancy Harrison, a Clemson Extension agent, will host. Class covers an introduction to principles of safely preserving fruits and vegetables by pressure or boiling water bath canning and participation in a canning demonstration. $30 per person, call (803) 874-2354, ext. 113 or email nhrrsn@clemson.edu. Bring your own lunch.

Columbia’s Cooking! classes: Tuesdays beginning Oct. 30, 5:30-7 p.m., 6 Weeks to Good Health focuses on behavioral, nutritional and culinary strategies to help improve your health, $50 per class or $240 for series. Ask about cooking and nutrition classes for home schoolers, colacook@mailbox.sc.edu. Information, registration, Katherine Shavo (803) 576-5636, shavo@mailbox.sc.edu, cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking/classes.

Chef Francois Fisera hosts cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute. Oct. 30, seafood shepherd pie, Nov. 2 & 5, fillet of pork; Nov. 9 & 12, tournedos Rossini flambé; Nov. 14, mussels; Nov. 20 & 21, onion soup and lobster bisque; Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Beaujolais Nouveau. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio events: Friday, couples class; Nov. 2, tapas; Nov. 8, Italian supper; Nov. 9, couples; Nov 13 & 14, Food Wisdom Rx; Nov. 15 sushi; Nov. 16, couples pasta; Nov. 19, Eye on Food.; Nov. 20, holiday pies; Nov. 23, gingerbread house; Nov. 27, Wild Women; Nov. 30, couples. Detailed listings at letscookculinary.com. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St. (803) 348-5874

McCutchen House on the USC Horseshoe. See complete schedule and sign up for classes at http://webapps.csg.sc .edu/McCutchen.

Have an upcoming food event? Email details to food@thestate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.