AURORA – This week we can’t find any reason to celebrate National Fruit Compote Day (March 1), National Cold Cuts Day (March 3), and National Cheese Doodle Day (March 5). However, we will be happy to toast National Frozen Food Day (March 6) with a scoop of salted caramel-hazelnut gelato.
20th Stout Month, through Feb. 28, Vine Street Pub and Brewery (Denver), and Mountain Sun and Southern Sun Brew Pubs (Boulder). Information: mountainsunpub.com. Details: Last chance to sip dozens of heavy duty ales from Colorado and national craft brewers on tap
New Gardener Boot Camp, March 2, Denver Botanic Gardens. Information: botanicgardens.org. Details: Crash course in starting plants from seed, nurturing soils, making compost, container gardening, and beginning vegetable gardening
Asian Spring Rolls, March 9, Almost Vegan Cooking School, Centennial. Information: almostvegancookingschool.com. Details: Make Vietnamese spring rolls plus four Korean vegetable side dishes and learn how to chop vegetables, roll rice paper and use chopsticks
Distillery School, March 9-10, Downslope Distilling, Centennial. Information: downslopedistilling.com. Details: Learn how to mash, blend and age vodka, rum and whiskey
Cochon 555, March 10, Vail. Information: amusecochon.com/2013/vail. Details: Five chefs including Denver’s Lon Symensma each prepare a 6-course menu from one heritage pig matched with wines from five small wineries
Colorado Craft Beer Week, March 18-24. Information: coloradocraftbeerweek.com. Details: Dozen of breweries statewide will host tap takeovers, beer dinners, meet-the-brewer nights, and special tappings.
Breckenridge Beer Festival, April 6, Breckenridge Resort. Information: breckenridgebeerfestival.com. Details: Taste brews from dozens of breweries including Bonfire Brewing, Copper Kettle Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing, Kona Brewing, Palisade Brewing,Upslope Brewing and Widmer Brewing
FOOD, DINE AND DRINK RADIO
Radio Nibbles, 8:25 a.m. Thursdays, KGNU (88.5 FM, 1390 AM, and KGNU.org. Details: Weekly chat about all things culinary with John Lehndorff
The Restaurant Show, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, 950 AM and 103.1 FM. Details: Warren Byrne takes calls on the longest-running local dining show
Gabby Gourmet, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, KHOW, 630 AM. Details: Restaurant guide author Pat Miller talks eateries
American Craft Beer Radio, noon-1 p.m. Saturdays,102.3 FM. Information: americancraftbeerradio.com. Details: Denver-produced show focused on local and national brew news
Send information about food events, classes, festivals, wine dinners and tours in Aurora, the metro area and across Colorado to: jlehndorff@aurorasentinel.com.