Viva Portofino wine tasting and jazz — 5 and 8 p.m. wine tasting, 7 and 9 p.m. dinner June 16. Listen to the music of Emily Anne Reed, San Francisco singer/songwriter of “American Idol” fame, as you enjoy super premium Napa Valley wines and a prix fixe menu, designed by Viva Portofino chef Eduardo Santander Pimental. $55. 599 Dutton Ave., San Leandro. 510-553-1343.
Global Toast to Robert Mondavi’s Birthday — 2 p.m. June 17. Together with the entire staff of the Robert Mondavi Winery, Margrit Mondavi and Genevieve Janssens, director of winemaking, will celebrate Robert Mondavi’s birthday with a special open house and global toast at the Napa Valley winery, open to the public. The occasion honors the vast contribution the late vintner made to the California wine industry. Watch the livestream on their Facebook page. All visitors to the winery will receive a complimentary glass of Robert Mondavi Winery 2009 Napa Valley Fumé Blanc. There will be live music from noon-5 p.m. Robert Mondavi Winery, on the west side of Highway 29, just north of Oakville Cross Road, Napa Valley.
Marie Simmons Book Signing
— Noon-2 p.m. June 18. Meet food writer Marie Simmons and discuss her latest cookbook, “Fresh and Fast Vegetarian, Recipes that Make a Meal.” Get your copy of the book signed and sample recipes prepared by the Pasta Shop
culinary team. 5655 College Ave., Oakland. 510-250-6010, www.rockridgemarkethall.com/events.
B.R. Cohn Winery Father’s Day BBQ and 2008 Cabernet Port Release — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19. Taste wines and enjoy baby back ribs, beef brisket, smoked chicken breast and other barbecue treats at the Olive Grove Barbecue. 15000 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen. $20-$40. To reserve please contact the winery at 707-938-4064, Ext. 124.
Truckee RibFest — 1-6 p.m. June 19. This fun and casual foodie event will offer folks the chance to sample delicious ribs prepared by the best chefs in the Tahoe area — a perfect afternoon outing for hungry dads and their families. 12047 Donner Pass Road, Truckee. $10-$15. 530-550-2252, www.truckeeribfest.com.
Chocolate Extravaganza — 6:30-9 p.m. June 25. Taste delicious chocolate treats and enjoy the chocolate fountain during this benefit that features entertainment by the musicians of the Pinole Valley High School West County Conservatory of the Arts. 592 Tennent Ave., Pinole. $20-$25. 510-724-9141.
Wine Tasting Dinner Cruise — 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 26. Enjoy a scenic 2 hour dinner cruise aboard the Island Serenade while tasting a variety of wines from local Brentwood vineyard Hannah Nicole. Dine on a 3-course dinner while cruising in comfort on the beautiful waters of the California Delta. $68. Online reservations: www.deltadiscoverycruises.com
Pro BBQ Cook-Off — Opens 9:30 a.m., stage show 11 a.m., first pitch 1:05 p.m. July 16. The Oakland A’s, professional BBQ and celebrities team up for foster youth at the Bay Area BBQ Championship in the Coliseum parking lot before the A’s doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels. All proceeds will benefit the thousands of foster children, youth and families served by Alternative Family Services. $18-$48. www.bayareabbq.org.
Connoisseurs’ Marketplace — 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 16-17. Enjoy chefs’ demos, festive food and drink, microbrews, margaritas, mojitos and more. Santa Cruz Avenue between El Camino Real and Johnson Street, Menlo Park. 650-325-2818, www.miramareevents.com.
25th Anniversary Catalan Festival at Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 23-24. This annual event showcases world-class California sparkling and still wines inspired by the unique spirit of Catalonia. Enjoy authentic Catalan and Spanish dishes from many of the Bay Area’s best restaurants, while classical Spanish guitar and colorful Flamenco dancers set the stage with lively performances throughout the weekend. 23555 Carneros Hwy (121), Sonoma. $50. 707-933-1999, www.gloriaferrer.com.
SF Chefs 2011 — Aug. 1-7. This weeklong celebration highlights Northern California chefs, winemakers, mixologists, farmers and artisanal food producers. Enjoy the Grand Tasting Tent and savor tastes at smaller, special events all week long. $25-$150. San Francisco Union Square; www.sfchefsfoodwine.com.
Millbrae Art and Wine Festival — Sept. 3-4. Two sun-splashed days of festive food and drink, live music, art exhibits, Chinese dragon dance and taiko drum performances, and children’s activities. Broadway between Victoria and Meadow Glen avenues, Millbrae. 650-697-7324, www.miramarevents.com.
Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival — Sept. 9-11. Lake Tahoe’s premier gourmet event includes chef battles, outdoor grilling demonstrations, a celebrity chef luncheon, gourmet marketplace, grape stomp and more. www.GoTahoeNorth.com.
Mountain View Art and Wine Festival — Sept. 10-11. A massive multicultural celebration featuring festive food and drink, live music and an action-packed Kids’ Park. Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View. 650-968-8378, www.miramarevents.com.
Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week — Oct. 2-9. Enjoy three-course, prix fixe menus at more than 60 participating restaurants throughout the Lake Tahoe region for $20, $30 or $40 per person; www.TahoeRestaurantWeek.com.
Brunch, lunch, dinners
Dine About Town San Francisco — Lunch and dinner through June 15. Diners may select from more than 100 San Francisco restaurants offering a two-course lunch menu for $17.95 and/or a three-course dinner menu for $34.95, excluding tax and gratuity. www.sanfrancisco.travel/dineabouttown.
“Magic of the Copper River” Chef’s Dinner — 7-9 p.m. June 16. The prix fixe menu, prepared by Spenger’s Chef Patrick Kehler, will consist of five courses, each paired with the perfect California wine. The dinner will be comprised of an Oyster Trio (Béarnaise, Cucumber Granite, Fried with Garlic Aioli); Crispy Rock Shrimp with melted leek risotto and Cara Cara oranges; Cedar Roasted Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with mini baked potato and bacon corn relish; Pan Seared Alaskan King Salmon with English pea puree and couscous caviar; and Wild Cherry and Banana Flambé with lemon and vanilla ice cream. Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St., Berkeley. $50. 510-845-7771.
Star chefs dinner: June 17-18. Daniel Patterson and Charlie Parker will collaborate with two of England’s most famous chefs, Claude Bosi of Hibiscus and Sat Bains of Restaurant Sat Bains, for special dinners at San Francisco’s Coi and Oakland’s Plum. Patterson, Bosi and Bains will prepare an eight-course menu ($195) at Coi on June 17; Parker, Bosi and Bains will create a five-course feast ($85) at Plum on June 18. Both events benefit the Larkin Street Youth Services (http://www.larkinstreetyouth.org/). For Coi reservations, call 415-393-9000 or visit www.coirestaurant.com. For Plum, call 510-444-7586 or visit www.plumoakland.com.
The Counter BFD — Burger for Dad — June 19. The Counter wants to help spread the love by offering all dads a free 1/3 lb burger on Father’s Day. One per dad with a paying guest. Additional and premium toppings are extra. Locations: www.thecounterburger.com.
Father’s Day Brunch Buffet — 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 19. This brunch homage to Dad features seasonal fruit, pastries, an omelet station, oysters on the half shell, peel and eat shrimp, carved ham, carved roast beef, bananas Foster and much more, plus a bottomless glass of sparkling wine for an additional $7.95. Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto 1919 Fourth St., Berkeley. $29.95. 510-845-7771.
Festa del Papa — 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 19. Celebrate Father’s Day with a special three-course, summery brunch. There’s a children’s version, too. $68 for grown-ups; children younger than 12 pay their age. Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto. 650-566-1200.
Father’s Day Dining at Donato Enoteca — 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. June 19. Four-course prix fixe menu in addition to a consolidated menu of a la carte selections. The prix fixe menu entree will be Ravioli Di Pancia Di Maiale (house-made ravioli filled with Niman Ranch pork belly and Parmiggiano Reggiano, brown butter and sage). 1041 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. $48. 650-701-1000.
Brown Estate Wine Maker Dinner — 6 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. seating June 21. Join 1300 on Fillmore for an evening dedicated to the expression life through the fruits of labor as Chef David Lawrence and Brown Estate come together to create a four course prix-fixe menu with wines to pair. The Brown Family and Chef Lawrence will be on hand to share their insights into the things they do best. 1300 Fillmore St., San Francisco. $85 not including tax and gratuity. 415-771-7100.
Hodo Soy/MacGruder Ranch Dinner — 5-10 p.m. June 22. The four-course prix fixe menu will include Hodo Soy yuba and silken tofu preparations as well as MacGruder lamb and wild boar, plus vegan alternatives will be available for each course. Mac MacGruder and the owner of Hodo Soy will be at the dinner to talk with guests. Gather Restaurant 2200 Oxford St. at Allston Way, Berkeley. $47 including gratuity but not tax. 510-809-0400.
Classes
Love Apple Farm — Workshop: Home Cheese-Making 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18. $95. In the Kitchen with Chez Pim: Pad Thai and Other Wok Dishes noon-4 p.m. June 19. $115. Workshop: Introduction to Goat Keeping noon-3 p.m. June 21. $49. In the Kitchen with Chez Pim: Macaron Madness 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 22. $115. Workshop: Compost, Vermiculture (Worms!) and Soil Fertility 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 26. $55. 2317 Vine Hill Road, Santa Cruz. www.loveapplefarms.com.
Contests
Chef Tailgate Throwdown to Raise Money for Food Runners — 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 20. Baseball season is in full swing and some of San Francisco’s most smokin’ chefs throw down their mitts to compete for the best tailgate recipe using local sausages from Saag’s Specialty Meats. Find out which recipe will be the next tailgate hall-of-famer. The public is pitching in, too. For $10, fans get to join the tailgate party at Très, support Food Runners, sample each of the chef’s preparations, and vote for their favorite tailgate recipe. Tres Restaurant, 130 Townsend, San Francisco. http://tailgatethrowdown.eventbrite.com/.
Bake On and Give Back with the Duncan Hines 1 Million Cupcake Challenge — July 24 deadline. Duncan Hines invites bakers across the country to join its 1 Million Cupcake Challenge to help end childhood hunger. Working with Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, Duncan Hines hopes to inspire passionate bakers with a national baking and fundraising movement. www.duncanhines.com/cupcakechallenge.
So You Think You Can Cook With Garlic — An all-comers cooking competition on Facebook and culminating before a live audience July 29 in the Cook-Off Theater. The contest is open to amateur chefs age 18 and older who post a video of themselves preparing their recipe, on the Gilroy Garlic Festival Facebook page at Facebook.com/garlicfestival. Contest rules are available on the festival Facebook page and at gilroygarlicfestival.com. The winning chef will receive $810 in cash from KGO radio and the runner-up a $250 gift card from Raley’s/Bel Air Markets/Nob Hill Foods.
To have your event listed, email lherendeen@bayareanewsgroup.com for a news release form and return it to her at least two weeks in advance.