Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Cooks' calendar of events

EVENTS

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction will be Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. Sample the best from the area's finest restaurants, bid on silent auction packages and enjoy a live auction of dining, travel and entertainment packages. Tickets are $150 per person, $1,500 for a corporate table of eight. For more information, contact Betsy Britt, (803) 252-5200 or marchofdimes.com/southcarolina.

Columbia Family Shelter's First Annual Brews, Bluegrass and BBQ will be held 5:30-9 p.m. Nov. 12 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Hellenic Center, Sumter and Calhoun streets in Columbia. Enjoy an evening of beer, wine, barbecue, live music from the Papa String Band and Black Water, a photo exhibit and door prizes. Tickets are $30; all proceeds go to Columbia Family Shelter. (803) 771-7040

The 14th Annual South Carolina Oyster Festival will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 and 1616 Blanding St. It will feature children's activities and live music from Blue Dogs, Tom Hall and the Plowboys, Danielle Howle and more. Tickets: $5 advance, $10 day of festival, free for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at Robert Mills House Museum Shop, California Chicken Grill, BaWa Oyster Co. and online at etix.com. More information: (803) 252-2128

CONTESTS

Love grits? Adluh is seeking contestants for its 10th Annual Grits Cook-Off on Nov. 7. If you have an original recipe using Adluh stone-ground white or yellow grits, you can enter it starting at 8:30 a.m. at Sally's House on the Adluh campus, 804 Gervais St. Registration is $10; limited spaces available. Information: (803) 779-2460

Win a year's worth of free groceries. Hungry Jack presents the "Use Up the Box" recipe and essay contest. Create and submit a photo and essay of an original or nontraditional recipe using Hungry Jack staples such as potatoes, pancakes or syrup. Three grand prize winners receive a year's worth of free groceries. Deadline: Nov. 9. Information: useupthebox.com

Jif is looking for the Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich. Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can enter for a chance at a $25,000 scholarship fund.Deadline: Nov. 13. Rules and information are at jif.com.

The Grove Park Inn's 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition: Entries must be delivered Nov. 15 and 16 to The Grove Park Inn in Asheville. groveparkinn.com or (800) 413-5778

HOLIDAY HOTLINES

Have questions about holiday cooking and baking? Check out these sites:

Land-O-Lakes Butter, landolakes.com: Features recipes, tips and how-to videos

Ocean Spray, oceanspray.com: Tips for the first-time host, planning calendar and shopping lists

Crisco, crisco.com or (877) FORPIETIPS: Step-by-step visuals, troubleshooting tips and recipes

CLASSES

Young Chefs Academy of Irmo presents the Haunted Kitchen 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Dress in your favorite costume and learn spooky recipes from Psycho Chef. $20 per child, space limited. Upcoming classes include: 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thanksgiving desserts; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12, family French night, $30 for two people, $50 for family of four; 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 27, Carolina-Clemson Gingerbread House Workshop, $40 per family, includes supplies and decorations. 7320 Broad River Road, (803) 749-0670. Find complete schedule at youngchefsacademy.com.

Chef Francois Fisera hosts cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute, 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999, fleur-de-lys.us. Oct. 29, 30, pasta carbonara; Tuesday, veal Cordon Bleu; Nov. 5, 6, pork with portobellos. All classes cost $39; wine available at additional cost.

Upcoming classes at Let's Cook Culinary Studio: Thursday, Italian dinner night; Monday, Farmer's Market menu with Chef Matt Gillespie; Nov. 6, couples cooking hands on pasta ($70 per couple). Unless noted, all classes cost $30 and begin at 6:15 p.m. Let's Cook is at 1305 Assembly St. (803) 250-2569; letscookculinary.com

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