Ten Tastiest Events on the Culinary Calendar in Denver, May 13-15

You know summer's on the way when farmers' markets begin popping up all along the Front Range; the Boulder and Cherry Creek markets are already under way, and South Pearl starts this Sunday. But there's much more on the culinary calendar; keep reading for the tasty details.    

Friday, May 13 

Fins & Noodles Italian Seafood, at 7530 South University Boulevard in Centennial, will hold its first annual Spring Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today. Throughout the day, you can sample a variety of menu items — including meatball or sausage sliders, fried calamari, fish tacos and sangria — for just $1. Each dollar purchase receives a ticket for a raffle with prizes, including fly-fishing lessons for two, bottles of wine, gift certificates, catered lunches and more. You can also take part in educational seminars, more games and contests, and tastings. For more information, contact the restaurant at 720-489-6097. 

CU South Denver will be screening Quentin Tarantino's 1994 classic Pulp Fiction during Movie and a Martini tonight. You can take part in a special Quentin Tarantino costume party, with prizes for the best costume from any Tarantino flick, and trivia before the film, which starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28 for adults, $23 for CU faculty, staff and alumni, and $18 for designated drivers; it includes popcorn and two drinks. Grab tickets and get all the details here.  

In celebration of State 38 Distilling’s two newest spirits, Loveday bourbon whiskey and McKenzie Scottish peat smoked whisky, the distillery is throwing a Whisk(e)y Release Party from 4 to 7 p.m. today. There will be tastings, cocktails and lawn games, and Grateful Bread will be on site with several specialty breads baked using the same grains used to ferment and distill the new whiskies. The event is free, and you can pre-order bottles of the two new spirits here. 

Keep reading for more events this weekend.


Saturday, May 14 

The Jefferson Park Farm and Flea kicks off its 2016 season today, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can browse the market for urban-grown produce, art, antiques, handmade goods and more. The first event of the season will have an urban-homesteading theme with an emphasis on citified animal husbandry.  The farm and flea will continue to pop up once a month through October 8. Get more information at jpfleamarket.com.

In Aspen, The Little Nell will host chef Biju Thomas, of Biju's Little Curry Shop, at special guest-chef dinner this evening. The dinner will run from 6 to 9 p.m., and is $47 per person; the restaurant will also be accepting donations for the Aspen Homeless Shelter. For reservations and more information, visit thelittlenell.com. 

The SPAMERICAN Tour is making a stop at TheBigWonderful from 2 to 6 p.m. today. The truck will bring free samples of SPAM dishes, including Operation SPAM Gravy with Biscuits, and local chef Tyler Wiard of Elway’s will be cooking up his SPAM Al Pastor Tacos. While there, if you write a letter through Operation Gratitude to someone serving our country, and SPAM will donate $1 for each letter written. There will also be SPAM gear, art and more.  Get more information on the SPAMERICAN Tour at spam.com/tour. 

Today, Uncorked Kitchen pops the cork on a new wine-tasting series: 21 for Everyone. The series will feature several walk-around wine-tasting events, each featuring 21 wines. Today's tasting will highlight pickle and wine pairings, including wines matched with pickles, pickled shrimp, sausage bites with pickled sauerkraut, and other pickled veggies. The "wine and brine" event runs from 4 to 6 p.m.; the $36 ticket price includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres, plus a take-home wine glass. Register and learn more here. 

Marczyk Fine Foods is turning fourteen, and will be celebrating today with free cake, meet-the-maker events, 14 percent off of everything and disco music. Get in on the festivities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Marczyk at 303-894-9499 to get the full scoop.   

Sunday, May 15 

Comida at the Source is roasting a Tender Belly pig today, and serving it up with all the fixings. For $50 you can pig out on as much pork as you can eat, plus chips and salsa, rice and beans, a seasonal salad, cornbread and two drinks (a choice between a margarita, a glass of rosé or a Modelo Especial on tap). There will also be a raffle at 8 p.m. with prizes from Source retailers. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation; call Comida at the Source at 303-296-2747 to RSVP.

The South Pearl Street Farmers' Market returns for its fifteenth season starting today. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can check out the market, which will feature a "Homesteading in the Hood" theme, where you can watch several presentations by urban homestead educators, browse locally grown produce, and more. The market will be held each Sunday through November 13. Head over to southpearlstreet.com/events for all the details.    

For more Food & Drink events, go to our online calendar. If you know of an event that should be included in that calendar, send information to [email protected].