Event Menu

• Cannoli Joe's (4715 Hwy. 290 W., 892-4424, www.cannolijoes.com) continues its Handcrafted Beer Tasting Tour on Thursdays this fall: Aus­tin's Independence Brewing Co. Sept. 10, Real Ale Brewing Co. of Blanco Sept. 17, and Real Ale and Saint Arnold Brewing Co. of Houston on Sept. 24. Beer tastings are free with the purchase of dinner. Thursdays, 6-8:30pm.

• Get your culinary passport to Asia at the annual Asia Food Fest, presented by the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce and Satay Restaurant on the campus of the Texas Culinary Acad­emy (11400 Burnet Rd., 837-2665, www.tca.edu). Festivities include a reception and sake tasting, an Iron Chef-style competition, an Asian market extravaganza, and cooking classes. For details and ticket info, call 485-1090 or go to www.asiafoodfest.org. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11-12.

• BookPeople (603 N. Lamar, www.bookpeople.com) and Edible Austin host a booksigning and local food tasting with Pamela Walk­er, author of Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas (Texas A&M Press). The party will feature tastings of foods and beverages from Texas farms, ranches, dairies, bakeries, craft breweries, tea vendors, and soda makers. Friday, Sept. 11, 7pm.

• Austin's newest culinary education program holds an open house this weekend; prospective culinary students can meet the staff and check out the facilities at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Aus­tin (101 W. Louis Henna Blvd. #100, 691-1707, www.aiopen.com/austin). Saturday, Sept. 12, check-in at 9:30am for 10am presentation, 12:30pm for 1pm.

• Enjoy Taste North Austin at the Domain (11410 Century Oaks, www.thedomainaustin.com) with food and beverage samples from all the restaurants in the center, cooking demonstrations, live music, kids activities, and chef fashions from Apron Allure. Saturday, Sept. 12, 11am-5pm.

• Stand up for AIDS Services of Austin by sitting down at local restaurants that are participating in Dining for Life (full list at www.asaustin.org or 406-6157) on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 14 & 15.

• Support both AIDS Services of Austin and the Sustainable Food Center and enjoy excellent $25 or $35 three-course prix fixe meals at some of Austin's finest restaurants during Austin Restaurant Week. See a full list of participating restaurants at www.restaurantweekaustin.com. Sept. 13-16 & 20-23.