Negroni Bash to Grand Cochon: 12 Great Events in June

CONCORSO DI NEGRONI
When: Sunday, June 1 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Ste. Ellie, 1553 Platte Street
What: Negroni-centric event and competition featuring 10 of Denver's best bartending teams, including Williams & Graham, Colt & Gray, Steuben's, TAG and Acorn. There will be bottled negronis, aged ones, negroni-inspired cuisine, contests, drawings and more.
More info, tickets, reservations: The event is open to the public, free of charge, but admission will be first come, first served, with priority given to those who RSVP at tourdinegroni@gmail.com.

CAYMUS VINEYARDS WINE DINNER
When: Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Capital Grille, 1450 Larimer Street
What: A five-course dinner paired with wines from Caymus Vineyards, including a special 40th anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon.
More info, tickets, reservations: The dinner costs $175 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 303.539.2500.

HOT ROCKS GRILLER CHALLENGE
When: Wednesday, June 11
Where: Elway's Cherry Creek, 2500 E. 1st Avenue
What: A celebrity chef competition supporting men's health programs at Denver Health.
More info, tickets, reservations: Participating chefs include Troy Guard of TAG and Panzano's Elise Wiggins. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a VIP opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $100, VIP entry is $250 and reserved tables start at $600. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit the Denver Health Foundation online.

UNWIND: CHIHULY
When: Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street
What: The kickoff to a new after-hours event series featuring the Chihuly exhibition before it opens to the public, as well as food, drinks and entertainment.
More info, tickets, reservations: Tickets cost $50 and include three drinks from vendors like Breckenridge Distillery and AC Golden Brewing Company. To purchase tickets, visit the Denver Botanic Gardens website.

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES AT THE CHICO
When: Saturday, June 14 at 6 p.m.
Where: Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S. Peyton Hwy, Co. Springs
What: An open-air concert and festival in the Bell Park cottonwood grove underneath the light of mason jar chandeliers. American Grind, a new food truck, will make its debut at the event with Chico Burgers and fries, with a veggie option. Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe will serve Chico Beef chili sandwiches, pulled pork, potato salad, coleslaw and beans.
More info, tickets, reservations: Tickets, purchased in advance, cost $35 per person and can be purchased online here. Camping is available for a $15 charge per vehicle.

GREAT DIVIDE 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
When: Saturday, June 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Site of Great Divide's future second location, 3403 Brighton Boulevard
What: A celebration of the brewery's 20th anniversary, with special-release beers, food trucks like Pink Tank, live music and more.
More info, tickets, reservations: Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door; included in the price is access to the entire beer portfolio and one food ticket. More information and ticket purchase is available here.

SLOW MEAT SYMPOSIUM
When: Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22
Where: Auraria Higher Education Center
What: An inaugural gathering of ranchers, butchers, policy experts and consumers designed to produce a plan of action for meat in America.
More info, tickets, reservations: Keynote speaker Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean biologist, farmer and environmentalist, will kick off the weekend of workshops and other events. Participation as a delegate costs $250 for Slow Food members and $350 for non-members. More information is available at Slow Food USA.

4TH ANNUAL BLUE RIBBON BACON TOUR
When: Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: River Run Village, Keystone
What: Thousands of pounds of bacon and bacon-inspired cuisine available for tasting.
More info, tickets, reservations: Tasting packages are available starting at $20, and a la carte tasting tickets are sold for $4 each. For more information and ticket purchases, visit Keystone Festivals.

GRAND COCHON
When: Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m.
Where: Food & Wine Classic, Aspen
What: The culmination of the 10-city Cochon555 tour, where 10 chefs will compete in a head-to-tail pork showdown.
More info, tickets, reservations: Participating chefs include Rioja's Jennifer Jasinski and Tim Graham of Travelle in Chicago. Tickets cost $150 for general admission and $200 for VIP entry; click here to purchase.

RED VS ROSE
When: Monday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Lower 48, 2020 Lawrence Street
What: Master sommelier Doug Krenik will lead an interactive tasting showcasing how the same grape can be used to make both red and rosé wines, paired with chef Alex Figura's four-course menu.
More info, tickets, reservations: The dinner costs $48 per person, exclusive of tax & gratuity and reservations can be made by calling 303.942.0262.

DENVER TACO FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: River North Art District, Larimer Street
What: A food and music event celebrating tacos and Colorado culture.
More info, tickets, reservations: Festivities include music, dancing, a salsa war, green chile cook-off and more. General admission tickets cost $12 and are available here.

WINGS AND WHISKEY
When: Sunday, June 29 at 4 p.m. (VIP at 3 p.m.)
Where: Ace Eat Serve, 501 E. 17th Avenue
What: A Denver Wing King competition supporting the Denver Housing Authority's Youth Culinary Academy.
More info, tickets, reservations: Chefs will compete and both a people's choice and a judges' panel winner will be named. General admission tickets are $45 and include unlimited wing tasting and three drink tickets; VIP tickets cost $65 and include tasting and an open bar. For more details, visit Ace's website.

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