This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, April 28
There are tough sells, and then there are things that sell themselves, like a week devoted to raising the profile of craft beers, by, oh, sampling them, pairing them with fabulous foodstuffs, and generally saying hip hip hooray for craft beer. Today kicks off the inaugural Madison Craft Beer Week, a very-generously scheduled ten-day highlights. If you can' make tonight's pre-event at Drackenberg's Cigar Bar, there's plenty of more suds to be had.
Jonathan Gold is the first newspaper food writer to ever win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism; plus, he writes for an alt weekly, the listen to Gold talk about food,, even if we are not within a tweet of the Kogi truck. He'll talk about "Authenticity, Culture and the Korean Taco" this evening. Chazen Museum of Art, 800 University Ave., 7:30 p.m., free. Call 263-3412 for more info.
Friday, April 29
Prince William, Kate Middleton and -- is there already a third entity in this marriage? Yes: mustard. Winners of the 2011 World-Wide Mustard Competition will be announced at An Evening of Mustard Royalty, a that includes Iron Mustard Chefs Challenge tastings, an appearance by the Duchess of Mustard, cheese carving, drinks, live music, and more. National Mustard Museum, 7747 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, 7-10 p.m., $60. Call 800-438-6878 for more info.
Saturday, April 30
You've probably seen the bumperstickers that say "Know Your Farmer" around town. So we're semi-confident that you do. But do you know your mustard maker? No? Shame. Here's your chance to meet them, at the Mustard Marketplace celebration put on by the National Mustard Museum, 7747 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., reef. Call 800-438-6878 for more info.
The Beer for Wishes benefit and tasting is one of the earlier events of , is in support of the Great Dane-Fitchburg, 2980 Cahill Main, Fitchburg, 4 p.m., $45. Call 441-1992 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, April 27
Achieving Safety in the Global Food Supply Chain: Integrating Science & Policy, a two-day conference organized by the UW-Madison UW Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, free. Call 265-8038 for more info.
Kombucha I class, with instructors Vanessa Tortolano and Alla Shapiro demonstrating the basics of preparing the lacto-fermented soft drink, complete with a homebrewing kit with a SCOBY, sugar, tea, jar and cover. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-7 p.m., $30 owners and $40 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Kombucha II class, with instructors Vanessa Tortolano and Alla Shapiro discussing intermediate techniques in preparing the lacto-fermented soft drink, including continuous brewing, vinegar, infusions, and other uses of the SCOBY. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-7 p.m., $10 owners and $20 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Thursday, April 28
Six Spices with Neeta Saluja cooking class, with the chef preparing a menu of fish curry, rice with black cumin seeds, and sweet potato and bean salad. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8:30 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Friday, April 29
An Evening at the Barre, a fundraiser for the , 3031 Pleasant View Rd., Middleton, 6-9 p.m., $35. Call 278-7990 for more info.
Let the Spring Roll class, with Chef Paul Tseng preparing three types of spring rolls, hot and sour soup with noodles, and ginger soy, garlic vinegar, and aioli dipping sauces. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $6 owners and $16 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Saturday, April 30
Hilldale Farmers' Market, commencing its outdoor edition for the 2011 growing season behind Macy's at the corner of Segoe and Heather Crest. Hilldale Shopping Center, 702 N. Midvale Blvd., 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 209-7130 for more info.
Evansville Farmers' Market, commencing for the 2011 growing season. Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Vegan Bake Sale, a benefit for the as part of a worldwide campaign of sales. Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 3-6 p.m. Call 469-6807 for more info.
A Golden Anniversary Gala, a benefit for the La Traviata. Overture Hall Lobby, 201 State St., 6 p.m., $250. Call 238-8085 for more info.
The Bowling Ball, a benefit for the Schwoegler Park Towne Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., 7-10 p.m., $40. Call 268-1414 for more info.
Sunday, May 1
Northside Farmers' Market, the self-proclaimed Northside Town Center, intersection of Northport Dr. and Sherman Ave., 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 695-0946 for more info.
Monona Farmers' Market, now in its eighth year of Ahuska Park, 400 E. Broadway, Monona, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 469-2807 for more info.
REAP snack prep, with volunteers needed to prepare and package fresh, healthy, and locally-grown treats for kids at 14 elementary schools around Madison. Friendly Supper Club, a monthly dinner for people of all colors and ages. Northside Family Restaurant, 1201 N. Sherman Ave., 6:30 p.m. Call 249-5979 for more info.
Save the date
Wednesday, May 11
Taste Traditions of Wisconsin, a monthly lecture and dinner series that features a meal catered by the Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 N. Carroll St., 6:30-9 p.m., $35. Please RSVP by May 2, and call 264-6563 for more info.
