An Ocean Away from the Ordinary, 2005 Big Island Festival, five-day food and wine event with dinners prepared by internationally-known chefs, wine tastings, farm tours, cultural displays, today through Sunday, Hilton Waikoloa Village and Mauna Lani Resort, Kohala, Big Island. For a complete schedule and prices: www .bigislandfestival.com, (808) 934-9044, (866-424-3378.

Gevalia Kona Cupping Contest, an international panel of experts judge coffees grown in Kona, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today and tomorrow, Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort's Verandah Bar, Big Island; free to spectators. (808) 326-7820.

The Art of Jam & Chutney Making, Pat Soper presents a lecture and demonstration on jams and chutney made from local fruits, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $25 includes a jar of jam to take home. (808) 967-8222.

Maui Debut of Hula Hefeweizen, Kona Brewing Co. introduces it's newest beer with a grass skirt-adorned keg paddled into Ka'anapali and served at a party with entertainment, hula and prizes, 2:30 p.m. today, Hula Grill Ka'anapali; no cover charge. (808) 667-6636.

Kona Coffee Culinary Invitational, island chefs prepare appetizers, entrees and desserts that use Kona coffee as an ingredient, 6-8:30 p.m. today, Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort's Royal Gardens, Big Island; $35 advance, $40 at the door. (808) 324-2554.

Gourmet Cooking Hawaii, grilled Portabello mushroom appetizer, steak Oscar Florentine and banana Foster crepes, with Executive Chef Almar Arcano, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, The Bistro at Century Center; $95. 735-7788, www.gourmetcooking hawaii.com.

Upcountry Tea, high tea featuring Hawaiian Vanilla Vineyards' Ceylon black tea and fine herbal and holiday teas from Harney and Sons Tea Co. served with desserts created by chef Tracy Reddekopp, 3 p.m. Saturday, Hawaiian Vanilla Mill, Pa'auilo, Big Island; $29 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required: (808) 776-1771.

Chocolate Extravaganza!, 3rd annual all-you-can-eat dessert buffet of chocolate from amateur and professional bakers, with musical entertainment and silent auction, 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Kailua; $10 advance, $15 at the door, benefits Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, Hale Kipa and the church programs. 262-4548.

"Are Humans Designed To Eat Meat?" presentation by Dr. Milton Mills, M.D., 7 p.m., Saturday, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park; free, sponsored by the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. 944-8344.

Nickel & Nickel and Far Niente Wine Tasting, in celebration of the two-year anniversary a tasting of these premium wines, 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, The Wine Stop; $50 includes a $25 gift certificate toward the purchase of any featured wine. 946-3707.

Vintners in Paradise, annual wine event features 50 of the world's finest wineries, pupu, silent auction, jazz entertainment and dancing, 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki hotel; $125 benefits PBS Hawaii. Reservations: 973-1187.

Gourmet Cooking Hawaii, prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert from the restaurant's winter menus in this hands-on cooking class with George "Chef Mavro" Mavrothalassitis, 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 19, Chef Mavro; $150. 735-7788, www.gourmetcooking hawaii.com.

Gourmet Cooking Hawaii, demonstration of an appetizer, entre and dessert, with executive chef Masatoshi Yamamoto, 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 19, Tavola, Tavola, Italian Osteria; $95. 735-7788, www.gourmet cookinghawaii.com.

ONGOING

Farmers' Market, sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau, 8 a.m.-noon Sundays, Mililani High School, in front of the gymnasium. 848-2074.

Country Market & Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, Waimanalo Homestead Community Center, 1330 Kalaniana'ole Highwayo. 259-5349.

Open Market, with a farmers' market, arts and crafts, flowers and plants, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, He'eia State Park. 948-1111.

"Two Skinny Chefs," cooking show with Beth-An Nishijima and Chai Chaowasaree, 5 p.m. Sundays, KHON-2. 585-0011.

Culinary Tour of Chinatown, visit noodle shops, dim sum parlors, food courts, bakeries and other food venues in downtown Honolulu with food writer Anthony Chang, 9:30 a.m. Mondays, meet at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, 42 N. King St.; $10. 533-3181.

Waikiki Farmers' Market, fruits, vegetables, musubi and chow mein, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, Waikiki Community Center's parking lot. 923-1802.

Merriman's Farm Visits and Dinner, half-day excursions to Big Island farms that supply the restaurant with fresh foods followed by a four-course dinner prepared from locally grown ingredients, noon-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Merriman's Restaurant, Waimea, Big Island; $115 (all inclusive). Reservations: (808) 885-6822.

Matthew Gray's Hawaii Food Tours offers three guided restaurant tours — "Hole-in-the Wall," "Hawaiian Feast" and "Gourmet Trilogy" — in and around Honolulu. Tours are priced at $59, $99 and $149 per person. Reservations at 926-3663, www.HawaiiFoodTours.com.

Farmers' Market, fruits and vegetables, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Mondays, Hawaii Kai Towne Center. 396-0766.

Fort Street Open Market, produce, plants, flowers and arts and crafts, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Pauahi and Fort streets; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Tuesdays, Wilcox Park (in front of Macy's). 538-8005.

Fresh Wednesdays, healthy and fresh, locally-grown produce with free food samples, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Kaiser Nanikeola clinic lobby; free admission. 432-2270. Also, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, Kaiser Waipi'o Clinic. 432-3100.

Vanilla Experience Luncheon, five-course lunch with dishes prepared using Hawaiian vanilla and fresh island produce, 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, The Vanilla Mill, Pa'auilo, Big Island; $30. (808) 776-1771.

Fresh Thursdays, healthy and fresh, locally-grown produce with free food samples, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, Kaiser Moanalua clinic main entrance; free admission. 432-2270.

Kailua Farmers' Market, prepared foods, plate dinners, pies, cookies, jams and sauces in addition to fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat, herbs and cut flowers, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Kailua Town Center parking garage (behind Longs Drugs on Kailua Road). 848-2074.

Fresh Fridays, locally grown produce, healthy cooking demonstrations, educational information on disease prevention through good nutrition, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, Kaiser Permanente Honolulu Clinic. 432-2000.

Aloha Friday Farmers' Market, fresh produce, food products and entertainment, noon-6 p.m. Fridays, Maui Community College, Kahului. (808) 268-3276.

Send announcements with contact name and phone number to: Culinary Calendar, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com with "Cul Cal" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.