Cook’s calendar: Who has the best vegan mac-and-cheese?

Special events

Farm to Fork at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, in the Ndoki Forest habitat at Riverbanks. Enjoy dining al fresco with views of African elephants and western lowland gorillas. The farm-fresh feast, served family-style, will feature ingredients from Riverbanks’ vegetable garden. $80/person for zoo members, $100/person for non-members. Information/tickets at www.riverbanks.org

Connecting Health Innovations (CHI) presents, IMAGINE: Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:30pm, starting on Sept. 5, at USC in the Discovery I building, 915 Greene St. This yearlong lifestyle intervention program is focused on reducing chronic inflammation through dietary changes, increased physical activity, and stress management. Register for culinary sessions, physical activity exercises, stress reduction practice, and 1-on-1 support from our counselors to learn how to reduce chronic inflammation. For more information, e-mail info@chi-llc.net. To register online, imaginehealthy.org.

9th Annual Long’s Bar Stool Challenge: 5 p..m Sept. 8, starting at the Five Points Fountain. Putt-putt your way through 8 bars in Five Points — Bar None, Bird Dog, Delaney’s, CJ’s, Jake’s on Devine, Delaney’s Speakeasy, Village Idiot, and Yesterday’s — lowest score wins $500 cash. Limited spaces, $15/person online pre-registration, $20/person day of event. Proceeds benefit The Babcock Center Foundation.

Midlands Farm Tour: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9. See where your food comes from and learn about aquaponics, organic food production, hyperlocal wine production, rainwater harvesting, the 360 method of composting and alternative energy solutions. Participating farms include Carolina Bay, Fire Barrel Farm, The Winery at Mercer House, Up On Cedar Knoll, Leesville Aquaponics, Terra Kotta Farm. Meador Acres Chestnuts, Arnold Farm, and more. Presented by Sustainable Midlands, all-inclusive tickets (available in July) are $10/person; children under 10 years, and WIC, SNAP and EBT beneficiaries admitted free with proof of eligibility. www.sustainablemidlands.org and midlandsfarmtour.com.

Mac Down SC: noon-2:30 p.m. Sept. 10, The Venue on Main, 1620 Main St. Who has the best vegan mac? Time to sample and vote for your favorite. Vegan Outreach has gathered some of the region’s best chefs to create their best recipes. Included are David Wright, Good Life Cafe, Columbia; Shawn Harrison, Tephra Vegan, Savannah; Folami Geter, Lamb’s Bread Vegan Cafe, Columbia; Matt Martin, Fern, Flavors from the Garden, Charlotte; Stephanie Bridgers, The Local Buzz, Columbia; Gloria Clay, independent chef, Columbia; Benoit St Jacques, Meet Your Cremator Hot Sauces, Columbia; Yvette Garcia, Lady Go-Go’s, Charlotte; and Chef Saa, Rawtopian Bliss Raw Vegan Diners Club, Columbia. Tickets $8/person, available at eventbrite.com, with all proceeds to benefit Vegan Outreach’s programs. www.facebook.com/veganoutreach

Charleston Beer Week: Sept. 9-16, various locations throughout the Charleston area. See schedule at charlestonbeerweek.com.

September Harvest Beer Dinner: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 12 at Old Mill Brewpub, 711 East Main Street, Lexington. Enjoy 5 house ales paired with a four-course meal inspired by local game. Menu includes cured meat and pickle board; venison confit, duck breast prosciutto, venison rilletes, sweet pepper jelly, 12 Mile Porter mustard, pickled red onion, pickled quail eggs, hop-pickled okra; buttermilk fried Manchester Farms quail, hop vinagrette, poached egg; rustic mushroom and rabbit stew; watermelon granita with lime and mint. Tickets $50/person, available at eventbrite. www.facebook.com/OldMillBrewPub

Indian Summer Rose Dinner: 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at Gervais & Vine, 620-A Gervais St. Danielle Robinson of AdVintage Wine presents rose wines paired with a multi-course dinner. (803) 799-8463, www.gervine.com.

Columbia’s Greek Festival: Sept. 14-17, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, corner of Sumter and Calhoun streets. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy Greek food, arts and crafts, market, tours of the church, dancing and more. www.columbiasgreekfestival.com.

Doko Fest: 10 a..m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Road, Blythewood. Sponsored by the Blythewood Lion’s Club, take advantage of free eye exams while you enjoy live bluegrass music, local crafts, BBQ, hot dogs and hamburgers, ice cream and more. Bring a lawn chair and blankets, admission is free. www.facebook.com/DokoBluegrassFest

Rosso Italian Wine Dinner: Sept. 19 A multi-course dinner with Italian Wine Specialist Mauro Maugliani of Kobrand. (803) 787-3949 or rossocolumbia.com

euphoria Greenville: Founded by singer/songwriter Edwin McCain in 2006, this long weekend, Sept. 21-24, celebrates the food, wine, brews and music of the Upstate. Early events, such as Tapas & Tinis (7-10 p.m. July 14, $50/person) and ticket packages and festival passes (from $120 to $1,045/person) are on sale now. www.euphoriagreenville.com.

Jameson Whiskey Dinner: 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Gervais & Vine, 620-A Gervais St. Jacob Benchoff, of Southern Wine & Spirits, presents Jameson whiskey paired with a multi-course dinner. (803) 799-8463, www.gervine.com

Lunch & learn with Healthy Carolina: noon-1 p.m. Sept. 27, Center for Health and Well-Being, 1409 Devine St., Room 217. Lead dietitian Lisa Money shares her expertise on how to breastfeed as a working mom, including time management, hints for pumping, milk supply resources, and more. Information at COLVIND@mailbox.sc.edu or (803) 777-1650

Great American Whiskey Fair: 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 28 at 701 Whaley. For a limited time, get general admission tickets for $50/person ($75 when early bird sells out) or VIP tickets — includes entire tasting, food, access to Cigar Veranda, GAWF t-shirt, good bag, early entry and chance to win a private bourbon tasting for 10 — $85/person ($125 when early bird sells out). www.experiencewhiskey.com, www.facebook.com/GreatAmericanWhiskeyFair or www.farmtotableeventco.com.

Taste of Atlanta: Oct. 20-22, Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta. Tickets on sale now for various dinners, tastings and events at www.TasteofAtlanta.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.

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.

Healthy Bucks: A program allowing SNAP recipients to obtain additional fresh fruits and vegetables when they use SNAP benefits to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers markets. SNAP recipients who purchase at least $5 with SNAP EBT card at participating locations get $10 in Healthy Bucks tokens for the purchase for additional fesh fruit and veggies. In Richland County: FoodShare Columbia, Dianne’s Call, City Roots and Martin Farm; in Lexington County: Beasons Farm Market; in Kershaw County: Kershaw County Farmers Market, United Way of Kershaw County. dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs

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.

Providence Cooks: Providence Health, 2435 Forest Drive. Monthly healthy cooking class taught by registered dietitian Kay MacInnis and her team of chefs from Providence Health. Tickets $25/person (Providence Health employees receive 50 percent discount), call 1-800-424-DOCS or online at http://bit.ly/ProvCooks2017. Upcoming classes: Sept. 5, Food for the Soul; Oct. 2, Fall into the Mediterranean; Nov. 7, Healthy Entertaining. More information at http://yourprovidencehealth.com/classes-events/providence-cooks-farm-to-table

Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute: Chef Francois Fisera leads classes, $39/person, wine extra. Classes begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, Chardonnay tasting with tuna; Sept. 5 & 8, lobster thermidor; Sept. 12, 15 & 16, chicken pot pie; Sept. 18 & 22, crackling salmon with truffles; Sept. 26, 29 & 30, Maryland crab cakes. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com.

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio: Prices per person unless noted. Thursday, Aug. 31, intro to sushi (6:15 p.m., $50); Friday, Sept. 1, tapas (6:30 p.m., $45); Sept. 8, couples hands-on pasta (6:15 p.m., $95/couple); Sept. 14, Italian supper (6:15 p.m., $45); Sept. 15, couples Spanish dishes (6:30 p.m., $95/couple); Sept. 19, Wild Women (6:15 p.m., $50/2-for-1); Sept. 20, Cali (6:15 p.m., $50); Sept. 22, couples Asian dishes (6:30 p.m., $95/couple); Sept. 29, small Italian plates (6:30 p.m., $45). Detailed listings at lets-cook.wixsite.com/letscookculinary. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874 or lets-cook@earthlink.net

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 Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or Friday 9 a.m.-noon for info or to register (803) 732-1899 or office@gracecolumbia.org.

Farmers in the Forest: Forest Acres Farmers Market at Richland Mall in the parking lot along Beltline Boulevard. Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. through October. Vendor applications can be found at farmersintheforest.org; follow on Facebook.

Blythewood Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Doko Meadows, 171 Langford Road, Blythewood. Michaela Barno, (843) 697-1733. www.facebook.com/BlythewoodFarmersMarket or www.localharvest.org/blythewood-farmers-market

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

Northeast Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through mid-October, Lake Carolina Town Center, 100 Lake Carolina Blvd, Northeast Richland. www.lakecarolina.com or www.facebook.com/lakecarolinafarmersmarket

Irmo Farmers Market: Opening June 17. 9 a.m.- noon, Saturdays through September, Irmo High School, 6671 St. Andrews Rd., Irmo. (803) 269-9826. www.irmofarmersmarket.com

Kershaw County Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at 222 Broad St., Camden. www.kcfarmersmarket.org.

Chapin Downtown Farmer’s Market: 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. every first Saturday through October, in the 100 block of Clark Street. www.chapinsc.com or www.facebook.com/ChapinDowntownFarmersMarket

Lexington Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Sept. 30 (except July 1), Lexington Square Park, 205 E. Main St. Contact Walker Brewer (803) 358-7275 or www.lexsc.com

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

Sandhills Farmers Market: 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thanksgiving at Sandhill Research Center, 900 Clemson Road, across from Village at Sandhill, Northeast Richland. www.clemson.edu/public/sandhill/programs/farmers_market.html

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.