Culinary calendar for the week ahead: Bourbon, Beef University and hot dogs

This week, Manny Howard signs a book about his backyard farm in Brooklyn, KGNU hosts a bourbon-tasting benefit and Colorado State University puts farmers through a Beef University. But there’s lots more cooking if none of that wets your whistle. Here’s a taste of what’s to come:

Tuesday, June 1: Marlowe’s and Lala’s join forces for a four-course, five-wine Winemakers Dinner with Laely Heron, owner of Heron Vineyards, who’d release Laley’s Sav Blanc. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. at Marlowe’s, 501 16th Street; tickets are $55. For reservations, call 303-595-3700.

Wednesday, June 2: From 4 to 7 p.m., Primo Vino and Udi’s Pizza Cafe Bar host a wine-tasting to benefit Denver Justice and Peace Committee at Udi’s, 7600 Grandview Avenue in Arvada. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door; for more info, call 303-421-8000 or go to www.denjustpeace.org.

From 5 to 7 p.m., Baur’s Ristorante, at 1512 Curtis Street, hosts a reading of the 2010 Colorado Book Award finalists; admission is free. For more info, go to www.coloradohumanities.org.

Manny Howard stops by the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street, at 7:30 p.m. to sign My Empire of Dirt, the story of how he tried to turn his Brooklyn backyard into a makeshift farm. Admission is free; call 303-436-1070 or visit www.tatteredcover.com.

Garden of the Gods’ Gourmet, 2528 West Cucharras in Colorado Springs, offers “One Night Stands: Summer Beverages,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Class is $50; sign up at www.godsgourmet.net or call719-471-2799.

Thursday, June 3:

TAG, 1441 Larimer Street, hosts a Sand Hill Wine Dinner, starting at 7 p.m.; tickets are $125; for more info, call 303-996-9985.

KGNU Community Radio hosts a bourbon tasting at the Crown Rock Room in the Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th Street, complete with bourbon-bearing appetizers, live music and a silent auction. Admission is $20 for KGNU members and $25 for the general public; call 303-449-4885 or visit www.kgnu.org.

Opus, 2575 West Main Street in Littleton, offers up a Who Let the Dogs In Dinner, five courses paired with Cru Vin Dogs wine. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $79; call 303-703-6787 or go to www.opusdine.com to sign up.

Colorado State University hosts Beef University: a hands-on workshop for cattle producers that covers beef quality, cattle production and consumer demands. Admission is $50 and up, and the program runs through June 4; make reservations at 970-491-7615 or e-mail dale.woerner@colostate.edu.

Friday, June 4:

From 5 to 7 p.m., Castle Pines Chamber and Wines of the Pines present a California Wine Tour at Rodney’s in the Village at Castle Pines, 872 West Happy Canyon Road, Castle Rock. Tickets are $37; for more info, go to www.winesofthepinesinc.com.

Snowmass celebrates its annual Chili Pepper Brew Fest through June 5. Admission is $20 to $75; get the details at www.snowmasschiliandbrew.com.

Saturday, June 5:

Be in Brighton by 1:30 p.m. for Woody’s Chicago Style Fourth Annual Footlong Hot Dog Eating Contest, when competitors will eat as many dogs as they can in ten minutes. Call 303-697-3062 to sign up, or go to www.woodyshotdogs.com/index.php for more info.

Celebrate the Triple Crown starting at 2 p.m. at the West End Tavern, 926 Pearl Street in Boulder. For info, call 303-444-3535 or visit www.thewestendtavern.com.

Sunday, June 6:

Colt & Gray, 1553 Platte Street, opens its patio with a party from 2:30 to 9 p.m., complete with a pig roast; tickets are $35, and include food and four drinks. To make a reservation call 303-477-1447.

Learn to make lemongrass tofu, spring rolls, summer rolls and mango salad at the “Delicate Flavors Asian Vegetarian Class,” which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Kitchen Network, 4986 Morrison Road. The class costs $55; call 1-714-583-2300, e-mail info@delicateflavors.com or visit www.delicateflavors.com for more info.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings.