The Ten Tastiest Events on Denver's Culinary Calendar, November 25-27

Thanksgiving is over — part of it anyway, as leftovers still wait to be prodded and picked at. But that turkey sandwich will be good for at least one more day, so get out into the city and taste what local chefs, makers and brewers have to offer this weekend. Black Friday brunches are ready to help you face the day, a green chile festival will spice up your night, and DJ Cavem Moetivation will give you a healthy dose of edible beats. Keep reading for the ten tastiest food events in Denver this weekend.

Friday, November 25

Today the crew behind beast + bottle and Coperta will launch a food drive to support Metro Caring this holiday season. Through December 30, bring five non-perishable, preferably healthy food items to either restaurant and you'll get a token good for a free glass of wine with purchase of a dish. Check out Metro Caring's site for recommended donations and other ways you can help.

Now that Black Friday has arrived, The West End Tavern will be ready to catch the shopping masses before they fall down on the floor. The longtime drinkery on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall will tap an elusive keg of Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout and serve rib-sticking brunch specials like pulled pork biscuits with chorizo gravy and a brunch burger piled with smoked ham, cheese, bacon and red pepper aioli. Prizes and door-busters will be given away throughout the day from 11 a.m. to close, with two happy hours at 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight. Make a reservation online at The West End Tavern's site.

Teller's Taproom and Kitchen in Lakewood offers a tonic for whichever post/pre-holiday malaise may be ailing you with its new Black Friday Brunch. In addition to Teller's brunch offerings (chicken & waffles!), the restaurant will offer $1 mimosas and $3 selections from the Bloody Mary bar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you can't get up in time, the room will host live music from the Walker Shellist Duo starting at 8 p.m. tonight.

Upper Larimer Street's Sugarmill is opening its doors early for Black Friday brunch today, taking the edge off with fine coffee, decadent dishes like pastrami hash and brioche French toast, and a bevy of hearty desserts, of course. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; make your reservation online by calling 303-297-3540 or visiting Sugarmill's OpenTable page.

Uncorked Kitchen, 8171 South Chester in Centennial, is teaching aspiring itamae the basics of sushi preparation starting at 1 p.m. today. This hands-on course will let you master the California hand-roll and the spicy tuna roll, and entry is $49 per person.

Read on for more culinary events this weekend.
Saturday, November 26

The 13th Street corridor of Capitol Hill is always hot, but tonight it will be burning up with the First Annual Mile High City Green Chile Master Champion of Denver Contest. Bring your home recipe or just sample the bounty, and enjoy drink specials and discounts at local favorites like Hudson Hill and Denver Ted's. The contest goes down behind Landmark Tattoo, 609 East 13th Avenue. A judge's ticket is $20 and taster wristbands are $10; see the details at the Facebook event page.

The lights will be bright in LoHi tonight as Little Man Ice Cream leads the annual Holiday Lights event. The free event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and includes the lighting ceremony as well as caroling, live music by the Music Train, carriage rides, food, cider and cocoa, and an appearance by Santa.

All-organic MC duo DJ Cavem Moetivation and Alkemia Earth present the very first Produce for the People Film Fest at the Crossroads Theater in Five Points. Screenings of the documentaries The Kids Menu from Joe Cross (Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead) and From Gangs to Gardens will be accompanied by a Q&A and one of the duo's trademark culinary concerts, a blend of cooking demo and hip-hop sounds. Admission is free for the whole family; a $20 donation to DJ Cavem's environmental hip-hop curriculum fund is suggested. The food and fun begins at 7 p.m. tonight, and you can RSVP online at the Eventbrite page.

The crafty folks toiling away at community workshop The Craftsman & Apprentice will bring out some unique and creative creations for the third annual Prototype Market. Creative gift-givers can enjoy the work of local makers like Craft Boner and its sardonic paper goods, or ReleventReUse's repurposed material jewelry. As you browse, try food from the Long I Pie Shop and Five Points Pizza and free coffee from Copper Door and drinks from QC Malt. Doors open at 4 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.; for a list of all shops, check out the Craftsman & Apprentice Facebook page.

Sunday, November 27

As the Broncos face off against the Chiefs on the gridiron, chefs will compete in Big Choice Brewing's Tailgating Cooking Challenge. Homegrown cooks will cart their best game-day grub to this Broomfield brewery for the chance to win beer and even Broncos tickets. This week's contest is all about wings, so bring your creations to Big Choice before 6 p.m. or just catch the game and enter the raffle. The contest runs for three more weeks with a different challenge each time; find out more at Big Choice Brewing's Facebook page.

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].