� 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 benefit the Sustainable Food Center. Drink.Well will be on hand to mix cocktails with Tito’s Vodka and Hops & Grain will provide craft beer. Sun., Nov. 11. Bar and reception begin at 5pm, dinner served at 6pm. Travaasa, 13500 FM 2769, 258-7243. $95.

� 24th Annual Lone Star Vegetarian Chili 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. Burnet Road Farmers’ Market, 6701 Burnet Rd. $8.75 for adults and teens, $5.75 for kids 6-12, college students, seniors, veterans. www.veggiechilicookoff.com.

� 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 this Veterans Day weekend. Tickets cover a souvenir wine glass, Celebrate America T-shirt, wine tastings, and a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Fri.-Sun., Nov. 9-11, Alamosa Wine Cellars, 677 CR 430, Bend, 325/628-3313. www.topofhillcountry.com.

� Faraday’s Holiday Baking Contest It’s still not too late to enter in one of four categories: Pies & Tarts, Cakes & Cupcakes, Cookies, and Other. Drop off entries at the store between 8:30 and 10am Saturday morning. 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. Faraday’s Kitchen Store, 1501-A RR 620 N. www.faradayskitchenstore.com.

� AUSTIN OYSTER FESTIVAL Local bands, local brews, local wines, and nonlocal oysters fill this outdoor feeding frenzy. Fri., Nov. 9, 6-11:30pm. Shoal Crossing Event Center, 8611 N. MoPac, 261-0142. $30. www.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. Home Slice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress, 444-PIES.

This article appears in November 9 • 2012.

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