Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Cooks' calendar

EVENTS

Sandhill Farmers Market will be hosting a Halloween Celebration on Oct. 27. Kids can trick-or-treat with vendors and pet baby lambs. Gourd and pumpkin painting at 3:30 p.m., costume contest for children 11 and younger at 4:30 p.m., live music by Keith Tracy during market hours, 2:30 p.m. to dusk. 900 Clemson Road, (803) 788-5700

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.

Tickets for the 2010 World Beer Festival in Columbia are on sale now. There will be two four-hour sessions on Jan. 16: noon-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Standard admission to a single session is $40, which includes beer samples, live music, educational sessions by industry experts and a festival tasting glass. VIP tickets, which cost $75, add admission to a VIP suite with complimentary food, more select beers, a commemorative glass and separate entertainment. Tickets available at allaboutbeer.com/wbfcolumbia or at Green's Discount Beverage locations. A portion of the proceeds go to Columbia Opportunity Resource and the River Alliance.

Interested in the slow food movement? Check out Slow Food Columbia's Web site, slowfoodcolumbia.blogspot.com, for information, a listing of upcoming classes and events.

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

Last Call: French's is looking for favorite family recipes that use at least one French's product. Grand prize: $25,000. Deadline: Oct. 31. For more information: frenchsfoods.com

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. Nov. 3, 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.

Columbia's Cooking, healthy cooking classes through the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at USC, has Kid Tested Halloween Treats, 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, 915 Greene St. $20 per child; parents and costumes welcomed. (803) 576-5618, (803) 576-5613 or roperbl@mailbox.sc.edu or brookharmon@sc.edu

Chef Francois Fisera hosts cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute, 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999, fleur-de-lys.us. Friday, halibut; Tuesday, two new soups; Oct. 29, 30, pasta carbonara. All classes cost $39; wine available at additional cost.

Upcoming classes at Let's Cook Culinary Studio: Thursday, Italian dinner night; Monday, French regional cooking with Chef Bertrand Gilli. 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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