Celebrate Texas history at the second annual Up the Chisholm Trail Event & Chuckwagon Cook-Off in nearby Georgetown. Events commence in San Gabriel Park, where the public is invited to watch competing chuck-wagon cooks work their culinary magic with cast-iron cookware over hot coals. Samples of the chuck-wagon grub will be available for purchase after the judging, and a cattle drive through downtown Georgetown will move the event to the historic Courthouse Square in the afternoon. Guests will then enjoy live music, food vendors, and Western craft demonstrations until dark. For complete details, go to www.wchm.org. Saturday, Sept. 29, 9am-3pm in San Gabriel Park; 3pm-dark on the Courthouse Square.

Frequent Chronicle contributor Mick Vann will present a free class on the Culinary Secrets of Veracruz, Mexico, at It’s About Thyme Garden Center (11726 Manchaca, 280-1192, www.itsaboutthyme.com). Learn about the culinary influences, seasonings, and regional cooking styles of this Mexican state. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2pm.

A local wine information outfit called WineBat.com has joined forces with the Mansion at Judges’ Hill (1900 Rio Grande, 495-1800, www.mansionatjudgeshill.com) to present Football Widows Wine Seminars on Sunday afternoons this fall. Seminars will be taught by Jane Nickles, author of WineSpeak 101. Each event includes an hors d’oeuvres reception, a wine-tasting seminar, and a dinner buffet prepared by Mansion chef Ryan Gossett. Cost is $28.95 plus tax and gratuity. Make necessary reservations at 444-5400. Sundays from Sept. 30 to Nov. 18, 2:30-6pm.

Sample some of the finest premium wines from around the world without ever leaving Austin at the annual Tour de Vin sponsored by the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas (www.winefoodfoundation.org) and Whole Foods Market (Fifth & Lamar). The grand tasting event takes place on the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods’ flagship store, offers signature dishes from many of Austin’s most accomplished chefs paired with an astonishing international selection of wines, and costs $50 for foundation members, $75 for nonmembers. Reservations strongly suggested. Call 327-7555. Thursday, Oct. 4, 6:30-9pm.

This article appears in September 28 • 2007.

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