Today, June 15

Still fumbling with that fancy chef's knife you got for Christmas? Starting at 6:30 p.m., 18 Reasons second knife skills class will show you the ropes with a three-hour, hands-on course, where you'll peel, chop, dice, and slice everything needed for chicken soup. Bi-Rite Market's Morgan Maki plays teacher and will be around for questions during the group dinner at the end. Tickets are $30 for 18 Reasons members; $40 for everyone else. 593 Guerrero (at 18th Street)

Thursday, June 16

After several delays, Boxing Room, from the folks behind Absinthe, opens its door in the former Citizen Cake space. The New Orleans-inspired menu includes deep-fried alligator, several gumbos featuring okra, gulf shrimp, crawfish, or andouille sausage, oyster po'boys, and creole sides like Mirliton casserole, red beans, and corn bread muffins. 299 Grove St. (at Gough)

Saturday, June 18

It's berry season, and starting at 10 a.m., the CUESA booth at the Ferry Building Farmers Market is doing a tasting of tayberries, raspberries, and several strawberry varietals. Then at 11 a.m., Daniel Clayton of Nibblers Eatery & Wine Bar demos a couple of savory dishes using berries found in the market, followed by a sweet-dish demo by Trace Leighton. Ferry Building Farmers Market

Tuesday, June 21

If you've ever bar-hopped in the Mission, you know nothing tastes better at 1 am than one of the corn-husk-wrapped offerings from The Tamale Lady. It's her 60th birthday, and Zeitgest is celebrating with a  brouhaha in her honor starting at 6 p.m. 199 Valencia (at Duboce)