Spring has finally sprung, and the food scene, like the weather, is heating up. This week you can hit the slopes at A-Basin and enjoy a few Colorado brews at the Festival of the Brewpubs, grab a great meal for a great price and benefit a great cause at the same time, or learn everything you ever wanted to know about oil and vinegar. Keep reading for a taste of what's on the culinary calendar.
Monday, March 23
Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q is joining thousands of restaurants across the nation to support No Kid Hungry. In honor of the barbecue chain's thirtieth birthday today, every Jim ‘N Nick’s is hosting a “Day of Giving,” featuring the signature Pig on a Bun special at the original 1985 price of $2.99. But the locations are asking guests to pay $30 — or an amount of their choosing — to celebrate the restaurant's three decades years in business. Every dollar donated beyond the cost of the $2.99 special will benefit No Kid Hungry, to fight childhood hunger. For more information click here.
Tuesday, March 24
Spend today at Arapahoe Basin, skiing and sampling beer from twelve Colorado breweries fourteenth annual Festival of the Brewpubs. The fest, which runs from noon to 4 p.m., will also feature live music and outdoor food stations to pair with your Colorado craft beers. Tickets are $25; grab them here.
Fire on the Mountain will be donating 10 percent of its sales today to UrbiCulture Community Farms. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. they will also be serving beer and wine for a reduced price, as well as having a raffle that includes prizes like a rafting trip, a weekend condo rental in Winter Park, a year's subscription to 5280 magazine and a cookbook, restaurant gift certificates, bagged soil from Waste Farmers, and more. For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.
The Chefs at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts will be leading a class on cooking in season from 6 to 9:30 p.m. today. Cook Street will teach you not only how to source the best local ingredients but a variety of methods and techniques that will turn them into a gourmet meal. A full meal with drink pairings will be included in the $89 fee; register at cookstreet.com.
Wednesday, March 25
Stoic & Genuine is teaming up with Peak Spirits for the first Counter Culture Dinner tonight. Guests can choose from bar seating or a seat at the chef's counter at 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. for this special event pairing Peak Spirits products with the food stylings of Stoic & Genuine chef Jorel Pierce. Tickets are available at the restaurant for $100 per person; for more info, call 303-640-3474.
A part of Colorado Craft Beer Week, Fuss-Off may just be a hipster's dream come true. Handlebar mustaches and beards. Check. Over-sized glasses. Check. Rare craft beers. Check. A mysterious and exclusive location. Check. Fuss-Off will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. somewhere in downtown Denver tonight, but only those with tickets will know where — and even they will only find out by e-mail the morning of the event. You can get in the know and enjoy some great beers for $50 by clicking here.
Parisi Foods is holding a multi-course community dinner that's a tribute to the cuisine of Milan. The meal start at 6:30 p.m. and costs $33; make your reservations by clicking here.
Thursday, March 26
Dave Setter and Jim Doman, owners of Denver's first Oil & Vinegar store, will be sharing their passion and knowledge in a combination tasting and hands-on cooking class at The Seasoned Chef Cooking School from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today. The evening will involve sampling several different olive oils, discussing olive oil and vinegar facts and proper uses, and cooking a full meal. The class is $55 and you can register here.
Jax Fish House in Glendale is holding a five-course King Estate wine dinner tonight. A King Estate representative will act as guest sommelier and lead guests through three courses plus an amuse and dessert course, all with wine pairings. The dinner is $75 per person and includes wine. Make a reservation at 303-756-6449.
Friday, March 27
Presented by the people who brought theBigWonderful to Denver, the Friday Night Bazaar will wrap up its first month from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Denargo Farm & Truck Park. The market will feature lots of beer, food, music and deals; for more information, visit thebigwonderful.com.
For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings — and if you have information for a culinary event you'd like included in our online calendar, send it to [email protected].
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