1. Poke your eye out
Forget about the same old baking and hot dog eating contests.  The western addition Hawaiian restaurant, Hukilau, puts a contemporary twist on the food festival with a poke (diced, raw fish salad) preparing competition and a Spam musubi eating contest.  Join the big Kahunas and get your own taste of the tropics from noon to 8 p.m. on September 6. 



2. Elbow your way in
What's better than artisan chocolate and wine? On September 10,  chocolate-maker Christopher Elbow will guide guests through a wine-and-chocolate pairing. You can look forward to sampling cava with his white-chocolate-and-strawberry caramel and sipping Madeira alongside a goat-cheese-and-honey bonbon. The event, which takes place at Christopher Elbow’s Hayes Valley shop, runs from 7 to 8 p.m. and costs $30; to make reservations call 415-355-1105.

3. A delicious obsession
The Book Club of California will serve up food writer M.F.K. Fisher’s published books, magazine articles, broadsides and more from September 8 through October 27.  On opening night at 6:30 p.m., Joan Reardon—who dubbed M.F.K. Fisher the "poet of appetites"—will speak about the culinary legend.



4. Stirring the pot
Chefs Joey Altman, Zoi Antonitsis, and Tyler Florence will join Pulitzer prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold (of the L.A. Weekly) and San Francisco magazine’s Scott Hocker to discuss the changing role of chefs, from unsung blue-collar cooks to celebrities. Nationally known restaurant consultant Clark Wolf will host the panel at the newly opened Miss Pearl’s Jam House in Oakland on September 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.,  followed by an appetizer and wine reception. The cost is $55; to register, click here.


photo by Jennifer Martine

5. Block party
Though the lines outside Bi-Rite creamery and Pizzeria Delfina make every day on 18th street seem like a party, the delectable businesses on the block have decided to make it official. From 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, there will be a party on block 18  (between Dolores and Guerrero) to celebrate the ten years of delectable offerings. Tartine, Delfina, Bi-Rite Market and Creamery, Dolores Park Café and Craig’s Place will all be in on the action, and you should be, too.  Gather with the rest of the community to enjoy music, beer and wine and a scrumptious meal.  For more information and to purchase advance meal tickets, call Christie Ward at 415-971-7291,or email PARTYBLOCK18@gmail.com.



6. A platter of figs
Chez Panisse chef David Tanis puts down the chef’s knife and picks up a pen at Chez Panisse on September 7 to sign copies of his new cookbook, A Platter of Figs & Other Recipes.  Meet David at Chez Panisse Café between 2:30 and 5 p.m. for some tips on creating your own seasonal meal.  In the week that follows, the downstairs restaurant will feature a special menu inspired by the seasonal ingredients and recipes from his book—it’s sure to sell out fast, so make reservations now by calling 510-548-5525.

7. Celebrating Masa’s silver anniversary
Masa’s restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a culinary star-studded benefit for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Join celebrated chefs Gregory Short (Masa’s) along with alumni Julian Serrano, Elizabeth Falkner, Richard Reddington and Masa pastry chef Keith Jeanminette for a nine-course tasting menu. The benefit dinner is $250 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity, and an optional wine pairing can be arranged. For reservations, call 415-989-7154.