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On July 20, Taste of the Nation, a gourmet fund-raiser to fight hunger, takes place in cities all across the country. Over 65 Seattle restaurants, breweries, and coffee roasters will convene at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion to offer a diverse selection of comestibles, with big-name chefs in attendance: Tom Douglas, Thierry Rautureau, and Joseba Jiménez de Jiménez. Beneficiaries include Food Lifeline and the Children’s Alliance. Last year’s Seattle’s event raised a quarter of a million dollars.
Now in its 25th year, Bite of Seattle takes place at Seattle Center Friday, July 21–Sunday. July 23. Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay to eat (and drink) your way through the 80 food vendors, five beer gardens, and the Vines of Washington wine tasting. Hosted by Kathy Casey, The Bite Cooks! features Seattle chefs cooking onstage. There’s also a cake decorating contest to raise funds for Food Lifeline. More info at www.biteofseattle.com.
Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most of the following events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
Farm Fresh
This week’s farmers markets promise fresh, local crops of broccoli, cucumbers, and six varieties of cherry: Bing, Rainier, Chelan, Golden, Index, and Sour Pie.The market is also a good place to get salmon: king, sockeye, chum and pink are currently available. For dairy-lovers, try fresh goat’s milk mozzarella and sheep yogurt,available at the West Seattle location, Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the corner of Southwest Alaska Street and 44th Avenue Southwest.
With sustainable living issues at the forefront of people’s minds these days, farmer’s markets are garnering a lot of attention. If you’re curious about the history of this not-so-new phenomenon, you might want to meet Jenny Kurzell, author of Fields That Dream, A Journey to the Roots of Our Food.Her book tells the story of the farmers market movement and profiles the farmers at this U District market. 10 a.m., Sat., July 22. University Way and Northeast 50th Street. U DISTRICT
Drink Up
Thursday, July 20
This downtown wine-tasting will feature wines from Michele Ciarlo, named one of Wine Spectator‘s Top 10 producers of Italian wine. For a mere $10, you’ll get to sample wines alongside antipasti from Il Fornaio. $10. 6–8 p.m. Il Fornaio Bakery, Pacific Place, 600 Pine St., 206-264-0994. DOWNTOWN
On the Plate
Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23
Are you curious about what happens at a Pow Wow? Hosted by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation at Discovery Park, this three-day festival features traditional Native American drummers, dancers in traditional regalia, arts and crafts, and traditional Native American food. Admission is free Friday, $5 Saturday and Sunday. 4–10 p.m. Friday, July 21; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, July 22; 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Daybreak Star Cultural Indian Center, 3801 W. Government Way, Discovery Park, 206-829-2207, www.unitedindian.org. MAGNOLIA
Back to School
Wednesday, July 19
A lesson in just desserts? In this class, Sweet and Savory Summer Pastries, Serafina’s pastry chef Mei-I Funtanilla will use local, seasonal fruit in a vast menu of summery treats. Included in this demonstration class: a raspberry brown butter tart, apricot pistachio and white chocolate tart, and brown sugar and candied ginger crostadas.$65. 6–9 p.m. Dish it Up!, 2425 33rd Ave. W., Suite B, 800-322-2665, www.dish-it-up.com. MAGNOLIA
Sunday, July 23
If you’ve always wanted to get a peek inside the kitchen of a great-smelling Middle Eastern restaurant, here’s a chance to see a chef in action. Hussein Khazaal of Phoenicia at Alki visits the West Seattle farmers market to prepare a variety of dishes from his restaurant’s menu. Samples and recipes provided. Free. 11 a.m. Southwest Alaska Street and 44th Avenue Southwest, www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. WEST SEATTLE.
