Endless Summer, Puerto Rican patio party and more on the culinary calendar

The evenings are getting cooler -- but summer is far from over. With everything from an Endless Summer beerfest to a chef's challenge at the Broomfield farmers' market, It's a great week to get out and get a taste of this town's culinary scene. Here are just some of the event highlights:

See also: - A second helping of Cafe Society August 5-9 - Native Foods Cafe joining Jax, Udi's, Cuba Cuba in City Set - 100 Favorite Dishes: Sopressata pizza from Kaos

Monday, August 12:

The first 500 customers to arrive at the Tavern Downtown, 1949 Market Street, from 5:30 p.m. till close will receive a complimentary shot of Fireball Whiskey; select guests will also be invited to the VIP lounge, where free appetizers and giveaways will be available. Call 303-299-0100 more details.

Steuben's, 523 East 17th Avenue, continues its third annual Picnics on the Patio series. The monthly, family-style parties take place on the patio through September, and each is inspired by a different regional cuisine. Tonight's picnic begins at 6 p.m. and will feature a Puerto Rico-inspired menu. Seats are $60 per person, and include five courses paired with drinks (wine, beer, cocktails). Visit the Facebook page for more details and the full summer schedule.

Urbiculture has invited yoga instructor Lesia Wasylkevych to lead a yoga class at Gabrielle's Garden, 832 Kalamath Street, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Monday. There is a suggested donation of $5; RSVP to maya@urbiculturecommunityfarms.org.

Prospect Park in Longmont hosts a food-truck party every Monday night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Prospect Eats also features live, local music; visit the website for the full schedule.

Tuesday, August 13:

Chef Eric Johnson of Via Toscana Restaurant, 356 South McCaslin Boulevard in Louisville, will challenge chef Jeff Bolton of Kachina Southwestern Grill, 10600 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster, in the second annual Broomfield Farmers' Market Iron Chef competition today. This year's competition is being sponsored by the Colorado Culinary Institute, which also will hold cooking demonstrations during the market. For more information, visit the Broomfield Farmers' Market Facebook page.

Chef Michele Morris, author of Tasting Colorado, will host a class on how to make the most of a personal garden today at 4 p.m.; tickets start at $75 and are available at the event's website.

Wednesday, August 14:

The Broadway Farmers' Market continues its harvest this evening from 5 to 9 p.m. The gathering take place every Wednesday through September 11 at the South Broadway Christian Church, 23 Lincoln Street, and features organic produce, flowers, Colorado goods and local live music in the street. Check the Facebook page for more details.

Trillium, 2134 Larimer Street, continues its monthly, Scandinavian-themed dinner series. Tonight's four-course, paired menu is inspired by the cuisine of Denmark. Admission is $65, and there will rolling seatings, but space is limited; call 303.379.9759 to check availability.

Thursday, August 15:

Chef Simon Purvis of EDGE Restaurant & Bar, 1111 14th Street, is hosting his monthly summer grilling cooking class series this evening. Every Thursday through September, Purvis will host an instructional grill-out for $40 per person. The class also includes a cocktail, draft beer or glass of wine, and a spice rub to take home. Tonight's presentation will focus on Indonesian cuisine; call 303-389-3343 to reserve a seat.

Friday, August 16:

Mayfair Liquors is hosting a wine-tasting event with more than eighty wines from around the globe at the Wellshire Event Center, 3333 South Colorado Boulevard this evening at 6:30 p.m. The event will benefit Gateway Battered Women's Services; tickets are $80 and include a dinner and silent auction. For reservations, call 303-343-1856.

The Endless Summer Beer & Spirits Festival will flow into the McNichols Building, 144 West Colfax Avenue, today. The event is a benefit for Water for People, which is focused on water preservation and sanitation around the world. Endless Summer will be serving spirits and cocktails made by eight Colorado distilleries, and summer seasonals from twelve local breweries. There will also be food vendors, live music and lounges. Visit the website for more information.

Get wild at the Art and Ale Brew Festival that runs from 6 to 10 p.m. tonight at the Wildlife Experience Museum, 10035 South Peoria Street in Parker. Attendees can sample local breweries as well as food from local restaurants while exploring the galleries and exhibits of the museum -- and live music from Flock of Beagles will cap off the night. Check the website to purchase tickets.

And mark your calendar for big events this weekend, including Cultivate, Heroes Against Hunger and Taste of Highland, all on Saturday, August 17. Watch for details here later this week.

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 cafe@westword.com.

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