COOK’S CALENDAR: Wine, brews, and BBQ; what more can you ask?

TODAY, Aug. 3, is National Watermelon Day! Try a refreshing salad of diced watermelon, fresh chopped mint and feta cheese.

CONTEST: Do you have a recipe for a truly tasty taco? If so, enter Tin Lizzy’s Taco Contest for a chance to have your taco on the menu (and a $500 Tin Lizzy’s gold card). Submit your recipe through Aug. 31 at www.tinlizzyscantina.com.

Clemson’s New & Beginning Farm Program now accepting applications through Aug. 15 for the 2016-17 statewide program. Level 1: Exploring farming as a business for emerging farmers with less than three years experience. Level 2: Taking your farm business to the next level for farmers with 3-9 years experience. Core agribusiness workshops to be held in Columbia with complementary regional workshops throughout the state. Information and application at SCNBFP page at www.clemson.edu/public/newfarmer

The 2016 Midlands Farm & Food Guide is now available. This 24-page booklet makes it easy to find local farms and farmers markets and learn which area restaurants and retail shops carry S.C.-farmed foods. Published in conjunction with Midlands Food Alliance’s Local Food Pledge campaign, this free guide can be found at Rosewood Market, Whole Foods, S.C. Department of Agriculture, AgSouth & Arbor One Farm Credit, Clemson Extension offices, farmers markets and online at www.sc.edu/nutrition/doc/Midlands%20Farm%20Guide.pdf

The Gourmet Shop previews the 2015 Bordeaux Futures: 6 p.m. Thursday, with a sampling of three of the region’s best vintages from the past 20 years. Tasting will include Cantemerle 2005, Grand Mayne 2005, Larrivet Haur-Brion 2009, Latour Martillac 2010, Malartic Lagraviere 2010 and Gazin 2010. Tickets $30 in advance, $40 at door. 724 Saluda Ave., (803) 799-9463 or www.thegourmetshop.net

Eat at Chipotle during tax-free weekend Aug 5-7, save your receipt and get an order of free chips and guacamole when you return Aug. 8-31.

Meet Palmetto Brewery’s Brew Master througout the day Friday. Tanael Escartin will be at Flying Saucer 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a liquid lunch; Green’s on Piney Grove for a Tap Takeover 4-6 p.m.; then at Brew at the Zoo’s Palmetto tent until 9:30 p.m.; or a late night tap takeover at The Whig, beginning at 10 p.m.

Brew at the Zoo, 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Riverbanks Zoo. Sample cold, frothy domestics, imports and specialty micros while meandering through the zoo or listen to live music in the plaza. No one under 21 will be admitted. Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Tickets $35/member, $45/general public, at www.riverbanks.org

Barkin Boots & BBQ, 6 p.m. Saturday, a fundraising event for PetsInc. Tickets $25/person include full BBQ plate with two sides and dessert by All Smoked Up, unlimited iced tea, water and lemonade and chance to win door prizes. Sponsorship tables available $250-$2,500. Show your stuff in the single/couples one-minute dance contest. Tickets and information at www.petsinc.org/BBQ. 300 Orchard Dr., West Columbia, (803) 739-9333

Growing and Cooking with Herbs, 10-11 a.m. Saturday at Wingard’s Market. Learn how to grow and use herbs. $10/person, redeemable with purchase at Wingard’s Market. 1402, N Lake Dr., Lexington, (803) 359-9091, wingardsnursery.com/workshops

Tour & Tasting: Lowcountry Style at Columbia Museum of Art, 6 p.m. Sunday. Part of the closing events for “Daufuskie Memories” exhibit, sample some of the best brews the South has to offer and enjoy a Lowcountry boil by Fancy That Bistro, then take a guided tour of the exhibit before it closes. $40/person, $32/CMA members. 1515 Main St., (803) 799-2810, columbiamuseum.org

Back to Beer & Hymns, 7-9 p.m. Monday, Liberty Tap Room in the Vista. Bring an instrument, bring a friend, drink some beer and commune, talk about life and faith and gave a good time. 828 Gervais St., www.sobremesavista.org

Chocolate + wine @ Gervais&Vine, 5:30-9 p.m. Tuesday. Joseph Vernon, of Evolution through Chocolate, will present four truffle flavors to be paired with wine. $15/person. 620 Gervais St. www.facebook.com/evolthruchoc

Midlands Food Alliance Potluck, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Green Quad at the University of South Carolina. Guest speaker Christina Spach, of Food Chain Workers Alliance, talks about farm labor. Free and open to everyone, bring a dish to share (with a serving spoon). Green Quad address, 1216 Wheat St. www.midlandsfoodalliance.wordpress.com

SC Peanut Party, Aug. 12 & 13, Pelion. Now in its 35th year, join in the family friendly fun 5-11 p.m. Aug. 12 and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 13. Compete in the P-Nutty Recipe Contest or the P-Nut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Eating Contest. Information at www.scpelionpeanutparty.com

3rd Annual Cupcakes & Cocktails Evening Social, 7-10 p.m. Aug. 13 at Margarette H Miller Cosmetology Center, 1509 Fontaine Road. Sample cuisine from some of the region’s best caterers and join in the Cupcake Battle where bakers compete to be named the best! Tickets $20 to $50/person, everyone gets a six-count cupcake tray to carry cupcake samples. eventbrite.com

South by South Wine Dinner at Rosso, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Enjoy a multicourse dinner with wine pairings: (1) Wood-fired bacon, leek and tomato pizza; (2) fresh field salad of wood-grilled S.C. peaches, lemon-basil goat cheese, candied pecans and blackberry vinaigrette; (3) braised pork shank osso buco with roasted mushroom pan jus, wood-grilled baby squash and Sea Island peas; (4) espresso-white chocolate creme brulee. Reservations only, $58/person. Trenholm Plaza, 4840 Forest Dr., (803) 787-3949, www.rossocolumbia.com

Arts & Draughts, 7-11 p.m Aug. 19 at Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Beer from The Whig, live music, art-related participatory events and more. $9/person, $5 for CMA members. www.columbiamuseum.org

Asheville Wine and Food Festival: Sweet Friday, Aug. 19, and Grand Tasting Saturday, Aug. 20, showcases the best of Western North Carolina’s culinary offerings with chefs, restaurants, vineyards, breweries, distilleries and farms creating Asheville’s “Foodtopian” Society. Tickets available at ashevillewineandfood.com.

South Carolina Heritage: SC Chef Ambassadors at The James Beard House in New York City, 7 p.m. Aug. 23. Chefs Ramone Dickerson (2Fat 2 Fly and Wing City, Columbia), Orchid Paulmeier (One Hot Mama’s, Hilton Head), Teryi Youngblood (Passerelle Bistro, Greenville) and Forrest Parker (Undiscovered Charleston) will be preparing dinner for 80 guests using grains, vegetables, fruits and proteins unique to South Carolina, tracing over 200 years of the state’s culinary heritage. $130/person for JBF members, $170/person general public. 167 West 12th St., New York, NY. Reservations, (212) 627-2308 or www.jamesbeard.org

Short Stacks for Charity, 7 a.m.-7 p.m Aug. 23 at participating IHOPs. Enjoy a short stack of buttermilk pancakes and IHOP will donate 100% of the proceeds to No Kid Hungry. This is part of a nationwide campaign to combat hunger for the 16 million children suffering in the United States. IHOP’s goal is to serve one million pancakes during the day. www.IHOP.com

S.C. Food Access Summit, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, focuses on efforts to improve access to healthy food for South Carolinians with limited financial resources. Keynote speaker is Anthony Flaccavento, president and founder of SCALE, Inc. Session topics include advocacy and policy, community economic development, transportation and food access, and funding healthy food projects. $20/person, tickets at eventbrite.com

Children’s Trust of South Carolina Be A Star for Prevention Benefit Gala & Silent Auction, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 27 at USC Alumni Center, 900 Senate St. Tickets $125/person includes open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary valet. Black tie optional, music by Swingin’ Richards. All proceeds to support Children’s Trust’s work to keep children safe in South Carolina. Information: scchildren.org

Fall Vegetable Gardening Class, 10-11 a.m. Aug. 27 at Wingard’s Market. Learn about planting broccoli, collard greens, lettuces and more. $10/person, redeemable with purchase at Wingard’s Market. 1402, N. Lake Dr., Lexington, (803) 359-9091, wingardsnursery.com/workshops

Main Street Latin Festival, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 27, 1300 & 1400 Main St. Latin music, foods and dancing in the street. www.mainstreetlatinfestival.com

How competitive are you? The State Fair is officially accepting entries for baking, canning and other Home & Craft Department competition exhibitions. Pre-registration is open now through Sept. 1. For more information or to complete a registration form, go to www.scstatefair.org.

Farmer | Chef | Brewer, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 11 at Homegrown Brewhouse, 117 South Main St., Summerville. Enjoy a five-course meal — each course prepared by a local chef paired with a beer from a local brewery, both using the same ingredient from a local farm. Tickets $60/person, available at eventbrite.

Euphoria 2016, Sept. 22-25 in various locations around Greenville. Guest chefs include Vivian Howard (chef and farmer, Kinston, N.C.), Rodney Scott (Scott’s BBQ), Myron Mixon (Jack’s Old South Bar-B-Que, Braselton, Ga.), Kenny Gilbert (Top Chef, Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen, Fenandina Beach, Fla.), Chris Hastings (Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, Ala.) and Craig Rogers (Border Springs Farm, Va.). Tickets on sale now at www.euphoriagreenville.com.

2016 Great American Whiskey Fair, Sept. 29 at 701 Whaley, is the largest whiskey tasting in the United States. Early-bird admission is $50/person and $100/person VIP, tickets available at eventbrite.com. More information at ExperienceWhiskey.com or email info@experiencewhiskey.com.

Pumpkintown Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 8 at Oolenoy Community Building. Parade starts at 9 a.m.; BBQ, crafts, fun and pumpkins throughout the day.

Fall on the Farm, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Old McCaskill’s Farm. Enjoy fall harvest items, petting zoo, tours and more. 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillfarm.com

Tickets for the second annual Gervais Street Bridge Dinner are now on sale. The event — a seated multicourse dinner for 1,000 with cocktails, beer and wine in the center of the bridge spanning the Congaree River — is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Sunday, October 23. Tickets $150/person with reserved tables starting at $2,500 (for eight people). Proceeds will benefit Congaree Riverkeeper, Canoeing for Kids and Harvest Hope. Info: gervaisstreetbridgedinner.com

Lobster Tuesdays are back at Rosso Trattoria Italia, in Trenholm Plaza, for a limited time. Enjoy a wood-grilled Maine lobster tail topped with savory heirloom tomato-tarragon butter with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and local vegetable succotash for $26. Trenholm Plaza in Foreset Acres. www.rossocolumbia.com

Wednesday Wine Tasting at Gervais & Vine: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, 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

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

Friday 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

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.

Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours and Historic Columbia present historic food tours of the Vista. Tours are 2  1/2  hours and guest will visit five restaurants, sample some specialties and learn the history of Columbia. Tickets $30-38, 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.

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

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

Columbia’s Cooking Italian Restaurant Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug.19 at 915 Greene St., Suite 200. Enjoy healthier versions of classic Italian flavors such as shrimp scampi, eggplant parmesan, Italian white bean and spinach soup, caprese salad, and berries with marscapone. $40/person, register at www.columbiascooking.org

Chef Francois Fisera: Join cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute. Classes $39 per person, wine extra, classes begin at 6:15 p.m. Schedule includes: Friday, Aug. 5, seared tuna verde; Aug. 9 & 12, filet of beef flambe Rossini w/truffles & foie gras; Aug. 16 & 19, pork Oscar-style w/crabmeat bearnaise and asparagus; Aug. 23 & 30, crabcakes w/remoulade; Aug. 26, Old & New World red pinot tasting w/coq au vin. 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, Aug. 12, tapas ($40); Aug. 16, Wild Women ($50); Aug. 18, Italian supper ($40); Aug. 19, couples cook ($90/couple); Aug. 23, hands-on Indian ($45); Aug. 26, small plate French ($40). Detailed listings at letscookculinary.com. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874.

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.

Farmers in the Forest: Forest Acres Farmers Market at Richland Mall in the parking lot along Beltline Boulevard. Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. through Nov. 23. 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

Northeast Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 25, Lake Carolina Town Center, Northeast Richland. www.lakecarolina.com

Rosewood Market Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. every Friday, 2803 Rosewood Dr. (803) 256-6410 www.rosewoodmarket.com

Irmo Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., first and third Saturdays through September, Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo. www.irmofarmersmarket.com

Kershaw County Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Nov. 19 at 222 Broad St., Camden. www.kcfarmersmarket.org

(Lexington) Village Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through September, Lexington Square Park, 205 E. Main St.

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

Sandhills Farmers Market: 2-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 22, 2016 at Sandhill Research Center, 900 Clemson Road, across from Village at Sandhill, Northeast Richland.

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

SEEDS OF HOPE FARMERS MARKETS All Seeds of Hope Markets accept WIC and DSS FMNP Vouchers.

▪ 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays until October at the Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle. (803) 779-1971

▪ 7:30-10:30 a.m. Thursdays into September at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1301 Richland St. (803) 765-9430

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Thursdays until mid-July in the back parking lot of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2600 Bull St.

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Thursdays until early August at Tree of Life Congregation, 6719 N. Trenholm Road.

▪ 9 a.m.-noon Thursdays until September at Christopher Towers, 1805 Devine St. (803) 799-5876

▪ 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays until August at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow St.

▪ Noon-2 p.m. Thursdays until early August at The Carolinas Apartments, 3201 Meadowlark Dr.

▪ 7-11 a.m. Saturdays until September at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road. (803) 772-0794

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays until August at Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road. (803) 798-5350

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays until August at Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd. (803) 732-1899

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays until October at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. (803) 256-8383

▪ 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays until early August at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 1401 Washington St. (803) 256-2417

▪ 8 a.m.-noon Sundays until early August at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St. (803) 771-7300

▪ 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays until early August at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward St. (803) 799-1746