Festivals, Special Dinners, Beer Events: These Are the Fifteen Events You Shouldn't Miss in August and Beyond

Despite being the arrival of the dog days of summer, there are a lot of food and drink events to look forward to in August and beyond. There are festivals, multi-chef special dinners, beer events, and more in Denver and beyond. From the nearly sold out Denver Burger Battle to several neighborhood-wide dining celebrations and couple of attractive mountain events, here's a rundown of what's coming up:

DENVER BURGER BATTLE
When: Thursday, August 8 at 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Sculpture Park, Denver Performing Arts Complex
What: The fourth annual best burger competition features twelve carefully selected local chefs all cooking their specialty burgers. The public and a group of judges vote on their favorite. There is a very limited number of tickets left online and several tickets at Park Burger. The cost is $69 for general admission and $95 for VIP passes.
More info and tickets: Denver Burger Battle

BALLPARK PLATES
When: August 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where:Ballpark Neighborhood
What: An evening meant to introduce diners to the great bars and restaurants of the Ballpark Neighborhood by sampling food and/or beverages at participating locations. All proceeds go towards Ballpark Neighborhood improvement projects. Among the participants are Biker Jim's, Trillium, Twelve, and Marco's Coalfired Pizza. Tickets are $30 on or before August 7 and $35 on the day of the event.
More info and tickets: Ballpark Plates Eventbrite

CULINARY DESIGN CHALLENGE
When: Thursday, August 8 at 6 p.m.
Where: Kitchens at the Denver, 761 Kalamath Street in Denver
What: Four chefs, including local favorite Elise Wiggins of Panzano, will team with local top design professionals to compete in the Culinary Design Challenge, a unique fundraiser for We Don't Waste. Without previous knowledge, each team will be given the same ingredients and 45 minutes to create a masterpiece that combines culinary excellence with outstanding design presentation. Tickets are $25/each.
More information and tickets: Blacktie Colorado or call 303.629.0119

CHERRY CREEK NORTH FOOD & WINE
When: Saturday, August 10, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Cherry Creek North
What: The 5th annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine celebrates the culinary arts in Denver's beautiful Cherry Creek North neighborhood on the Fillmore Plaza. There is food from neighborhood restaurants including Harman's Eat & Drink, NoRTH, and Opus, an open-bar featuring wine and artisan spirits, live music and more. Tickets are : $75 for admission at 6 p.m. and $60 at 6:30 p.m.
More information and tickets: Cherry Creek North Food & Wine

FARM DINNERS WITH CHEF HOSEA ROSENBERG
When: August 15 and August 28
Where: Pachamama Farm and Lyons Farmette (respectively for those dates)
What: A multi-course farm-to-table dinner experience with paired wines.
More information and tickets: Blackbelly Summer Farm Dinner Series

BREWMASTERS WEEKEND- BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY
When: August 16-17
Where: Vail Cascade Resort
What: Two days of mingling, learning and sampling. The format includes a "Meet the Brewmaster" craft beer sampling and a Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing event co-hosted by the brewmaster. Meet the Brewmaster is free and open to the public and the craft beer and food pairing is an additional charge. Special discounts on lodging are available.
More information and tickets: Vail Cascade Resort

HEROES AGAINST HUNGER SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
When: August 17, from 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: University of Denver Campus Green
What: Denver-area chefs, including Jensen Cummings of Slotted Spoon, Matt Selby of Corner House, and Daniel Asher of RootDown, are teaming up to defeat one of the most diabolical supervillains of our time: childhood hunger. Admission is FREE and kids can enjoy carnival games, a bounce castle, and great food. Games and food will cost less than $4. Local farmers, Denver Urban Gardens, MM Local, Source Local Foods, and Whole Foods will set up a farmers market to show off local produce. And community organizations like Cooking Matters Colorado, Produce for Pantries, and Slow Food will give cooking demonstrations. Great Divide Brewing Company and Infinite Monkey Theorem will serve beer and wine.
More information and tickets: n/a.

CHIPOTLE'S CULTIVATE FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, August 17
Where: Denver's City Park
What: The event brings together food, farmers, chefs (local and national ones), brewers, wine makers, artisans and musicians (like Air Dubai and Cold War Kids) to get people thinking and talking about food and food-related issues. The festival is FREE and brought to Coloradans by locally-grown Chipotle Mexican Grill.
More information: Cultivate Festival Denver

TASTE OF HIGHLANDS
When: Saturday, August 17 starting at 3 p.m.
Where: Highlands Neighborhood, around 32 and Lowell
What: Featured tastes served by established neighborhood favorites like the Coral Room, el Camino, Happy Cakes, Fire on the Mountain, Pinche Tacos, and Sweet Cow.Ticket are $20 with advance online purchase or $30 at the door. Ages 10 and under are FREE.
More information and tickets: www.TasteofHighlands.com

DENVER FIVE DINNER
When: Wednesday, August 21 at 6 p.m.
Where: former District Meats space, 1625 Wazee Street
What: The last Denver FIVE dinner of the year. Chef Brian Laird of the upcoming Sarto's in Jefferson Park, will prepare a Hawaiian Luau-themed multi-course meal along with the other four in the group- Matt Selby of Corner House, Jorel Pierce of Euclid Hall, strong>Ian Kleinman of the Inventing Room, and Sean Yontz formerly of El Diablo. The $45 menu includes wine pairings.
More information and tickets: Tickets can be purchased at EventBrite.

THE DESSERTIST PERFORMS TRUFFLES AND CREMES
When: August 22 through August 24 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Tea Bar by Teatulia at 2900 Zuni Street
What: Denver chef and molecular gastronomist, Ian Kleinman of the Inventing Room has designed after-dinner masterpieces, highlighting his famous liquid nitrogen truffles. Dessert lovers will get the chance to see how a traditionally laborious treat can be made in a matter of minutes. Menu highlights include liquid nitrogen truffles in Key Lime, Novo Espresso, and Teatulia Green Tea flavors.
More information and tickets: Teatulia Tea Bar

COLORADO CHEFS CHALLENGE: THE NEXT CULINARY VOICE
When: August 28
Where: Mile High Station
What: A cooking competition modeled after "The Voice" judged by four of Denver's favorite chefs: Mark DeNittis of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat, Jenna Johansen, competitor on Bravo's "Around the World in 80 Plates" and innovation chef at Epicurean Catering, Matt Selby of Corner House, Elise Wiggins of Panzano. Breakthrough chefs from local eateries will compete by creating a signature dish to be served to the judges and to all attendees. Tickets are $75 ($25 tax deductible) or VIP $125 ($50 tax deductible). All proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
More information and tickets: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chefs Challenge.

GOURMET ON THE GORE
When: Labor Day weekend, August 30 - September 2
Where: In Vail, along the Gore Creek Drive and Bridge Street
What: An open-air culinary and beverage festival, Gourmet on Gore takes place along Vail's Gore Creek Drive and Bridge Street showcasing the Vail Valley's premier restaurants as well as wines, spirits and beers from around the world. Live music, delicious food and superb drinks all meet together on this unique weekend to create a delightful epicurean atmosphere in Vail Village. There is no cost for admission to Gourmet on Gore open-air tasting, and the event is open to the public.
More information and tickets: Gourmet on the Gore

9th ANNUAL DENVER FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC
When: September 3 through September 8
Where: Metro State University and other locations
What: A multi-day food and wine experience in Denver with events ranging from Grand Tasting to special dinners and everything in between. Tickets can be purchased for individual events.
More information and tickets: Denver Food and Wine

DENVER CAFFEINE CRAWL
When: September 14
Where: The event will begin at Corvus Coffee Roaster's new space.
What: Specialty coffee and tea shops across the metro area will be welcoming caffeinated Crawlers with unique presentations and free sample beverages. Participating shops include: Aviano Coffee, Black Eye Coffee, and Metropolis Coffee. Tickets cost $30.
More information and tickets: Denver Caffeine Crawl

Something missing? Email it in and we'll add to the roster.
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