Meal Times

A TASTE OF AFRICAN HERITAGE Local food journalist Toni Tipton-Martin offers a free series of cooking classes based on a traditional healthy African diet. Get more information and sign up for the class via email. Through Dec. 13, 6pm Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina, 512/974-4926. info@thesandeyouthproject.org, www.carvermuseum.org

TOP OF THE HILL COUNTRY WINE TRAIL Join the seven wineries along the Top of the Hill Country wine trail in a patriotic salute to the country and our armed forces on from Friday through Sunday of this Veterans Day weekend. Tickets cover a souvenir wine glass, Celebrate American T-shirt, wine tastings, and a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Go online for more information and to by tickets. Alamosa Wine Cellars, 677 CR 430, Bend, 325/628-3313. www.topofhillcountry.com/product-p/stopwhining.htm

AUSTIN OYSTER FESTIVAL Local bands, local brews, local wines, and nonlocal oysters fill this outdoor feeding frenzy. Fri., Nov. 9, 6-11:30pm. (2012) Shoal Crossing Event Center, 8611 MoPac N., 512/261-0142. $30. seventy7degrees.com/AustinOysterFestival.html

CARNIVAL-O-PIZZA Once again it's time for the best party in SoCo, the annual Home Slice pizza carnival to benefit Austin Bat Cave. The day offers contests of endurance and skill, carnival games, a big raffle with killer prizes, live music, beverages from Real Ale Brewing and Dublin Bottling Works, plus plenty of pizza. Sat., Nov. 10, noon-7pm. (2012) Home Slice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress, 512/444-7437. www.homeslicepizza.com

FARADAY'S HOLIDAY BAKING CONTEST The sixth annual baking contest is this weekend and it's still not too late to enter in one of the four categories: Pies & Tarts, Cakes & Cupcakes, Cookies, and Other. Prizes will be awarded to the winner in each category and a grand prize winner chosen from the top four. Drop off entries at the store between 8:30 and 10am Saturday morning and judging runs from 10-11:45am before the public tasting noon-3pm, after which prizes will be awarded. Find rules, entry forms, and complete info online. Sat., Nov. 10, 10am-4pm. (2012) Faraday's Kitchen Store, 12918 Shops Parkway #540, 512/266-5666. www.faradayskitchenstore.com

24TH ANNUAL LONE STAR VEGETARIAN COOK-OFF Teams from all over Texas compete with an amazing array of meatless, vegan chilis judged for prizes in two divisions. Guests will vote for the people's choice award. The event includes chili tastings, kid's activities, vegan food and beer, door prizes, cooking demos, farm stands, vendor booths, and educational exhibits. Restaurants and individuals are encouraged to compete. Entry forms and complete info are available online. Sun., Nov. 11, noon-4pm. (2012) Burnet Road Farmers' Market, 6701 Burnet Rd., 377-9893. $10 for adults and teens, $7 for kids 6-12, college students, seniors, and veterans. www.veggiechilicookoff.com

FARM TO TABLE HARVEST DINNER Chefs John Bates of the Noble Pig, Josh Watkins of the Carillon, Erica Beneke of Max's Wine Dive, and Tim Dornon of Uchiko join forces with Travaasa executive chef Ben Baker to prepare a farm-to-table harvest dinner benefiting the Sustainable Food Center. Drink.Well will be on hand to mix cocktails with Tito's Vodka and Hops & Grain will provide craft beer. Bar and reception begin at 5pm, dinner is served at 6pm Travaasa, 13500 FM 2769, 258-7243. $95. www.travaasa.com

TUSCAN WINE & DINE AT ASTI Enjoy bubbly and savory bites before a four-course meal prepared by chef Kenzie Allen, with wine pairings by wine director Caroline Forbes. Reserve by phone. Thu., Nov. 15, 7pm. (2012) Asti, 408-C E. 43rd, 512/451-1218. $95 plus gratuity. www.astiaustin.com

8TH ANNUAL TEXAS FALL FEST & WINE AUCTION Avoid all the Formula One madness at this two-day event celebrating the wine and culinary delights of the Texas Hill Country. Friday night opens with a sunset stroll and farm-to-market wine fair in the resort's Yacht Club Ballroom from 6-9pm. Saturday offers the Texas Wine & Food Trail along the historic old Main Street in Marble Falls from 2:30-5:30pm. And the weekend concludes with a reception, dinner (prepared by Chef Josh Watkins), and wine auction in the resort ballroom. Complete details and ticket info online. Fri., Nov. 16 - Sat., Nov. 17, (2012) Horseshoe Bay Resort, Horseshoe Bay, 830/598-2511. www.texasfallfest.com