Cook’s calendar: Loosen those belts for multiple multi-chef dinners and events

Special events

Take the (literary) cake: To celebrate National Library Week, through Saturday, April 15, the South Carolina State Library is hosting a literary cake decorating contest. Participants may submit cakes decorated to represent a character from a favorite book, children’s book cover, or anything else book-related. You MUST register online to participate www.surveymonkey.com/r/CakeContest2017 and cakes must be dropped off at the State Library, 1500 Senate St., between 8:30-9:30 a.m. April 14. Library visitors will vote for their favorite cake between 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. After the votes are counted and winners are announced, the cakes will be cut and served. Information, contact Curtis Rogers at crogers@statelibrary.sc.gov, or Sean Gruber, sgruber@statelibrary.sc.gov, or call (803) 734-8666, www.statelibrary.sc.gov

BBQ Fundraiser: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., April 22, Suber Marshall Memorial United Methodist Church, 3900 Live Oak St. Eat in or drive through. BBQ pork $10/plate, baked goods available.

Sheep Shearing Day at Old McCaskill’s Farm: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., April 22, Old McCaskill’s Farm, 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert. Visit the working farm during the annual sheep shearing, watch border collies herd sheep, demonstrations of spinners, weavers, quilters, and blacksmithing. Working saw mill and grits mill on site. Farm concessions available, admission $5/adult; free for children under age 2. (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillsfarm.com.

Slow Food Columbia’s Sustainable Chef Showcase: 4-7 p.m. April 23 at City Roots Farm. Slow Food Columbia has challenged some of the city’s most sustainable chefs to create a dish featuring at least one locally, sustainably produced major ingredient. You get to savor the results from Frank Bradley (Bourbon), Mike Davis (Terra), Wes Fulmer (Motor Supply Co.), Travis Rayle (Hunter Gatherer), Josh Rogerson (Saluda’s), Bryan Tayara (Rosewood Market and Deli) and Todd Woods (The Oak Table). Tickets $25/Slow Food Columbia members, $35/non-members; cash bar with wines from AdVintage and local beers. www.brownpapertickets.com

A Chef’s Feast to benefit Transitions Homeless Center: 6-9 p.m. April 23 at Tallulah, 2400 Devine St. Chefs Russell Jones (Tallulah), Mimie Holmes (Mimie’s International Cuisine), Ramone Dickerson (2 Fat 2 Fly & Wing City), Teryi Youngblood (Passerelle Bistro, Greenville), Steven Musolf (Lazy Goat, Greenville), and Frank Lee (formerly of S.N.O.B., Charleston) create a multi-course meal with wine pairings. Sponsored by NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank. Tickets: $125/person dinner only; $175/person for dinner + VIP reception; sponsorships: $5,000/Executive Chef sponsor level or $2,500/Sous Chef sponsor level. eventbrite.com.

Roast & Toast Euphoria: 2-5 p.m. April 23 at Wyche Pavillion, 300 S. Main St., Greenville. Euphoria Greenville kicks off the 2017 festival season with a barbecue and oyster roast. Enjoy steamed oysters from the Rappahannock Oyster Co. and barbecue from Elliott Moss, of Asheville’s Buxton Hall Barbecue, and check out the line-up for the September festival. Tickets $65/person, available at www.euphoriagreenville.com/events/.

Game & Garden Spring Feast: 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 27 at Hay Hill Garden Market, 1625 Bluff Rd. The annual fundraiser for the Congaree Land Trust features a multi-course game dinner (duck, quail, etc.) from chefs Frank Bradley (Bourbon), Will Lacey (Savvy Foods), Rhett Elliott (War Mouth), Jessica Shillato (Spotted Salamander), and Ken Dubard (Congaree Milling Company). Tickets $50/person before April 18, through www.eventbrite.com, or call (803) 988-0000 or email melissa@congareelt.org with questions. www.congareelt.org

Palmetto Place’s Sweet & Savory fundraiser: 6-9 p.m. April 27, SC State Museum’s Planetarium lobby, 301 Gervais St. Midlands’ chefs compete for the title of best sweet and savory dishes, funds raised benefit programs for homeless teens and services for children of all ages who have been abused and neglected. Tickets $40/person, $75/couple, available at palmettoplaceshelder.org/ss2017 or at the door.

Diner en Blanc: Charleston 2.0: April 27 at a yet-to-be-named destination in Charleston. This worldwide phenomenon is returning to the Holy City. Imagine more than 1,000 revelers, dressed in white, descending on a secret location for an unbelievable evening of dining and fun. Online registration opens April 6 at https://charleston.dinerenblanc.com/. Dress code: elegant, all white. Guests are required to bring table & chair(s), white tablecloth, dinnerware, picnic basket of fine food (option to purchase food will be available), champagne or wine. More information at charleston.dinerenblanc.com

South Carolina Farmworker Institute networking summit: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28, SC DEW, 631 Hampton St. An opportunity for agencies, organizations and community leaders working with farm workers across the state to learn from each other and share the mission to deliver services to the farmworker community in the most effective and efficient way possible. Organized by SC Legal Services, SC Primary Health Care Association - SC Migrant Health Program, Student Action with Farmworkers, SC Department of Employment and Workforce, East Coast Migrant Head Start, Telamon, and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. Registration $10/person, www.saf-unite.org

Dine Out for Life: April 28, Columbia area restaurants will donate a portion of the proceeds sold that day to the SC HIV/AIDS Council for education outreach services. The funds stay in Columbia. For more information www.schivaidscouncil.org, www.diningoutforlife.com or @DineOut4Life, #DiningOutForLife

Sparkleberry County Fair: April 28-30, Clemson Sandhills Research & Education Center, 900 Clemson Rd. A weekend of fun, food, hands-on education, gardening and farm animals. Friday, April 28, amusement rides only 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, Cancer Awareness Run/Walk at 8 a.m., country fair 9 a.m-5 p.m, amusement rides 9 am.-10 p.m., parade, 11:45 a.m.; Sunday, April 30, amusement rides only 1-8 p.m. Cost: $5/vehicle with proceeds going to scholarships and grants to local schools. sparkleberrycountyfair.org

Butcher Paper Dinner Series: Crawfish Boil: 3-7 p.m. April 29 at City Roots. It’s a friendly free-for-all as you gather ‘round the table and eat directly from the pile of fresh steamed crawfish, corn on the cob, potatoes and other vegetables. Tickets $45/person; cash/credit bar. Crawfish Boil ticket holders will receive free entry to the Rosewood Crawfish Festival on May 7. www.farmtotableeventco.com

South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival: noon-6 p.m., April 29, hosted by Foodtruck Festivals of America at SC State Fairgrounds. General admission $5/person in advance, $10/person at gate. VIP ticket (allows early admission at 11 a.m. + one free dessert + unlimited bottled water) $20/advance, $25/at gate. Children 12 and under admitted free. www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com

Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event: 10 a.m-3 p.m. April 29 at Holiday Inn Express, 7329 Garners Ferry Rd. Learn more about gluten and allergies through lectures, demonstrations and food samples. Tickets, $10/adult, event is free for children 13 and younger, and information at www.gfawellnessevent.com.

Under the Table Spring Feast: 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 30 at Oak Table, 1221 Main St. Oak Table’s Executive Chef Todd Woods and Executive Chef Elliot Cusher, of Indaco in Charleston, pair a feast of five courses with beer from Fullstream Brewery. Tickets $85/person with proceeds to benefit Harmony School Flood Recovery fund. Call for reservations: (803) 563-5066. theoaktablesc.com.

Operation Harvest 2017: Veteran Chefs + Veteran Farmers: 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 2 at City Roots Farm. Chefs Brandon Velie (US Marine, Juniper), Kristian Niemi (US Army, Bourbon and Farm to Table Events Co.), Anthony DiBernardo (US Navy, Swig and Swine) and John Sheen (US Air Force, Citadel) will prepare a four-course dinner with ingredients sourced from local veteran-owned farms and paired with wines from Crimson Wine Group’s Greg Gutierrez (US Army). Tickets $125/person with proceeds to benefit the Beteran Farmers Coalition. www.giftrocker.com

Cinco de Mayo Harvest Dinner: 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 5 at City Roots Farm. Bourbon’s Executive Chef Frank Bradley and Farm to Table Resident Chef Drew Thompson prepare a family-style four-course dinner to ceelbrate Mexican-American culture. $75/person, www.farmtotableeventco.com.

Rosewood Crawfish Festival: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 6, Rosewood Drive. Tickets $10/advance, $15/at gate through rosewoodcrawfishfest.com or 5th Avenue Deli, Brian Dressler Photography, Dano’s Pizza, Ole Timey Meat Market, Rockaways Athletic Club, Rosewood Market, and Wash World. Ticket does NOT include crawfish.

Senate’s End Spring Festival: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7 at 302 Artisans, 302 Senate St. Celebrate Spring with a festival of creative vendors, live music, food and more, just a block from the Gervais Street Bridge. Admission is FREE.

Tastes of Living Water: 2 p.m. May 7 at Living Water Christian Outreach Center Church, 2229 Decker Blvd. Sample appetizers and desserts of various styles — from Southern to Italian, game day to cook out. Tickets $10/adult, $5/children 12 and under.

Spring Agricultural Tour: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. May 12. Enjoy a full day of exploring the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Check in at the South Carolina Farm Bureau, 724 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce, for a bus tour with stops at Rizer Farms in Lodge, SC Artisans Center in Walterboro, Colleton Commercial Kitchen Complex and Farmers Market in Walterboro with lunch by Chef LaShaughn Williams of Atol Bakery, Le Creuset of America manufacturing facility in Early Branch and Le Creuset outlet store in Yemassee. Pre-registration is required, tour limited to 47 people, deadline to register is May 9. Open to the public, $55/person, includes lunch, entry fees, beverages and snacks. Bring a cooler for your food purchases. Steve Slice, (803) 360-2845, scagriculturalcouncil@gmail.com, or www.scagcouncil.wordpress.com

Mother’s Day Brunch on the Farm: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 14 at City Roots Farm. Bourbon’s Executive Chef Frank Bradley and Farm to Table Resident Chef Drew Thompson prepare a family-style three-course brunch to honor mothers. Bottomless mimosa bar, wine available for purchase. Tickers $45/person, www.farmtotableeventco.com.

Taste of Black Columbia: 7:30-11 p.m. May 19 at SC State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Sophisticated Southern charm is the theme as local eateries celebrate the best of Midlands cuisine. Proceeds to benefit local charity. Tickets, $65-$75, include admission, tasting, complimentary cocktails and entertainment. www.eventbrite.com

Hops N’ Hogs: May 19, Hayne Ave. and Pendleton St. in Aiken. Beer from regional craft breweries, barbecue from local vendors and live music from the Palmetto Grove Band. (803) 649-2221.

Bovinoche: 3-11 p.m. May 20, The Grove, 6809 State Park Rd, Travelers Rest. Jeff Bannister and friends cook whole animals — pigs, goats, chicken and an entire cow — over open fires, and a traditional paella made in a pan “large enough for a normal person to sleep in.” Tickets $55/person includes all food. Beer and wine available, extra. www.bovinoche.com or www.icookwholecows.com

Farm to Table Event Co. Drink Pink Rose Festival: May 21 at City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd. Featuring close to 100 rose wines to sip and purchase, tickets $45/person, www.farmtotableeventco.com

Tombo treats: In addition to a rotating menu of specials, enjoy these “fixed” discounts: Mondays: $9 burger, beer & live music; Tuesday: $5 pizza & $15 bottles of wine; Thursday: 3-course dinner for two, $49. www.tombogrille.com 4517 Forest Dr., (803) 782-4517

Wine Tuesdays at Rosso Trattoria Italia, in Trenholm Plaza, 25% off bottles of wine priced $50 or less, 20% off bottles of wine priced over $50, excludes chianti and pinot grigio. www.rossocolumbia.com

Wednesday Wine Tasting at Gervais & Vine: 5:30-7 p.m., sample a few while enjoying live music; or check out the Happy Hour Wine Flights, 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, three 2-ounce glasses for $8. 620 Gervais St. (803) 799-8463, www.gervine.com

Wine Wednesdays at Craft And Draft will feature select wines at $5 per glass and three to four wines that will be available for sampling and buying. Craft and Draft is at 2706 Devine St. (803) 764-2575, www.craftanddraftbeer.com.

Thursdays @ McCutchen: Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. at McCutchen House on the USC Horseshoe. Enjoy a four- to five-course meal prepared by junior and senior students of the School of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. $28/person, bring your own wine, menus and reservations at sc.edu/study/colleges/hrsm

Third Thursday ART(uncorked) at SakiTumi, enjoy 3-4 wines and meet a local artist and discuss their original work. 807 Gervais St., (803) 931-0700, www.sakifresh.com

Lunch at Old McCaskill’s Farm begins at noon every Friday. Served buffet-style, first come, first served, $10 per person. Check out the farm store while you’re there for farm-raised meats, cheeses and more. 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillfarm.com.

Learn to make sushi at SakiTumi: By appointment, couples and small groups can call and arrange classes in the art of making sushi. Pricing options include food and class, or choose to include wine or hot sake. Call (803) 931-0700 after 2 p.m. for scheduling or information. SakiTumi is at 807 Gervais St., www.sakifresh.com

FoodShare Columbia connects families and communities with affordable fresh fruits and vegetables from local and regional farmers. The partnership of the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, Richland Library, USC School of Medicine, EdVenture Children’s Museum and the Columbia Housing Authority provides boxed food that can be ordered twice a month, between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Bellfield Cultural Arts Center at 2611 Grant St., (803) 255-8161. Cost is $20; $10 for SNAP participants. Cash and EBT accepted. www.facebook.com/FoodShare-Columbia.

Take a trip, see a farm: The South Carolina Agritourism Association has created a Passport Program for farms in order to educate folks on what the agriculture industry means to the state. Participants can get a passport from any of the 44 farms on the tour and the more stamps collected in the passport, the more chances to win prizes, with one winner taking home $100 in Certified SC products. https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-services/agritourism

Learn to become a farmer. Incubator Farm plots available at Sandhill Research and Education Center on Clemson Road in Columbia. Participants in the Agriculture Incubator Program will have access to up to a  1/2  acre of irrigated land, a packing shed, equipment use, access to technical assistance, access to markets and training opportunities. Fee of $350 per year for up to three years, plus required safety and operation training. Contact Harry Crissy, hcrissy@clemson.edu (use “Columbia Incubator” in subject line) or call (843) 730-5211.

Get the App: South Carolina Farmers and Roadside Market App shows more than 200 farmers markets and roadside produce stands. Click on location to see address, hours of operation, and methods of payment. New recipes each month will feature in-season produce. www.scdhec.gov/farmersmarkets

Pressure Canning Testing by Clemson Extension done by appointment at Sandhills Research and Education Center on Clemson Road. Have your pressure canner dial gauges checked for accuracy before use by an extension agent. $6, cash or check. Call (803) 865-1216 ext. 114 for more information.

Reduced Price Compost Bins: Contact Richland County Ombudsman’s office, (803) 909-6000 to order bins for $33.

Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours and Historic Columbia present historic food tours of the Vista: Choose 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 4-6:30 p.m. tour. Guests will visit five restaurants, sample some specialties and learn the history of Columbia. Tickets $38-$43, depending on the number in your party, custom tours for 10 or more guests. More information available at www.twogalsfoodtours.com or call (803) 360-0578 or (803) 260-7992.

Columbia Food Tours takes you on walking tours of downtown Columbia and Five Points to experience the culture and cuisine of the capital city. Sign up for a tour, and visit six to eight of Columbia restaurants and sample items. Tours last 2 1/2 hours, rain or shine. Details and ticket reservations, $42 per person, at www.columbiafoodtours.com

Columbia Brew Bus offers tours of Columbia’s beer/wine and distilling scene. Choose the Brewery Tour: includes pick-up/drop-off at Liberty Tap Room, stops at Conquest Brewing, River Rat Brewery and Swamp Cabbage Brewing. At each stop, you get at least 16 ounces of beer samples, brewery tour, Q&A with brewery staff and opportunity to buy brewery merchandise. Choose the Wine and Spirits Tour: pick-up/drop-off at Bourbon Columbia, stops at Copper Horse Distilling, Crouch Distilling and Vino Garage. Distilleries will offer tour and tasting session. Vino Garage will have a custom tasting hosted by owner Doug Aylard. Along the way, enjoy sightseeing, light snacks, trivia and prizes, coolers to keep purchases cold and an all-S.C. music playlist curated by Scene SC. Tickets $45/person, $20 designated driver. www.columbiabrewbus.com

Copper Horse Distilling behind-the-scene tours on Fridays and Saturdays. Space is limited and reservations required, call (803) 779-2993 to book a spot. Large groups can be accommodated for private tours. All tours include a tasting of Copper Horse Distilling products (Old Mill Vodka, Copper Cream, Copper Horse Rum and Bulle Rock Gin). 929 Huger St., www.copperhorsedistilling.com.

Columbia’s Cooking: classes held at USC’s Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Discovery 1 Building, Suite 200, 915 Greene St. Register online at columbiascooking.org/classes/ or ColaCook@mailbox.sc.edu or (803) 576-5636.

Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute: Chef Francois Fisera leads classes, $39/person, wine extra. Classes begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday, April 14 & Tuesday, April 18, steak au poivre flambe cognac; April 21 & 25, bay scallops Normandy style; April 28, American Sauvignon Blanc tasting with trout. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com.

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio: Prices per person unless noted. Friday, April 14, tapas (6:30 p.m., $40); Tuesday, April 18, Wild Women (6:15 p.m, $50/2-for-1); April 20, Italian (6:15 p.m, $50/2-for-1); April 21, couples French (6:30 p.m, $95/couple); April 22, couples Italian (6:30 p.m, $95/couple); April 27, dim sum (6:15 p.m., $40). Detailed listings at lets-cook.wixsite.com/letscookculinary. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874 or lets-cook@earthlink.net

McCutchen House at USC: Chef du Jour (Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. unless otherwise noted): April 22, jams & jellies 101 ($65/person); May 13, salads for dinner ($60/person). Wine classes (6:30-8:30 p.m.): April 18, Spanish wines ($50, waiting list); April 25, Greek wines ($50/waiting list). Register for classes through McCutchen House or call Becky Moran (803) 777-8225, moranrs@mailbox.sc.edu.

Last Wednesdays with John Chiles: Former owner of Restaurant 123 in Irmo, GM for Club Corp International and part owner/operator of Blue Marlin, John Chiles will instruct cooking classes 7-9 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at Grace United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Kitchen, 410 Harbison Blvd. Call church office Mon-Thurs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or Fri 9 a.m.-noon for info or to register (803) 732-1899 or office@gracecolumbia.org.

Ritz-Carlton Charlotte: @Cocoa Lab: Work alongside award-winning chefs to create items featuring chocolate, cocoa, and dessert flavors, fresh produce and herbs from the hotel’s rooftop gardens. Registration, $150/person/class, includes complimentary parking, recipe collection and keepsake apron Classes run 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 22, All About Cake Decorating (Part 2), two-tier cake, fondant decorations, decorative flowers; May 13, Mother’s Day Treats: strawberry shortcake, quiche, vanilla creme puffs; May 20, Fresh Garden Desserts: rosemary apricot scones, lavender panna cotta with poached pears, honey chocolate eclairs; June 3, Dessert & Wine: molten chocolate cake with Cabernet Sauvignon, raspberry profiteroles with Champagne, lemon bars with Chardonnay; June 17: Father’s Day Desserts: caramel bacon popcorn, beer brownies, bourbon pecan pie; July 1, Fourth of July Celebration: apple pie, banana pudding, brownies, chocolate chip cookies; July 15, I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream: vanilla, chocolate, honey pecan and strawberry flavors. @Kinship Lounge: celebrate the arrival of Chef Juan Pablo se la Sota Riva with the Latin Flavors class series, Thursday evenings 6-9 p.m. Classes $125/person. April 27: salsa verde, octopus and shrimp Peruvian ceviche, aji amarillo, sweet potato and corn, and dates stuffed with chorizo wrapped in bacon with romesco sauce; May 8: roasted tomatillo salsa, jicama shell taco with crab salad and guacamole, and chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, sour cream and cojita cheese. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 201 East Trade St., Charlotte, (704) 547-2244, www.ritzcarlton.com/charlotte

City Roots Farm: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, 1005 Airport Blvd., www.cityroots.org

Soda City Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday at the 1500 block of Main Street. www.sodacitysc.com

Healthy Carolina’s Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Greene Street in front of Preston. www.sa.sc.edu/healthycarolina/farmersmarket. USC On-Campus delivery via Pinckney’s Produce and AFRESH! can be scheduled in 4-, 6- and 12-week sessions.

Have an upcoming food event? Email details to sardis@thestate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. For more listings, go to www.thestate.com

This story was originally published April 11, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Cook’s calendar: Loosen those belts for multiple multi-chef dinners and events."