SPECIAL EVENTS

Joy of Sake 2007, tastings of more than 250 premium sakes in junmai, ginjo, daiginjo and kimoto categories with appropriate appetizers; 6-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 23; Hawai'i Convention Center; $65 advance, $70 at the door; tickets: 739-1000, www.joyofsake.com.

Beer Hunter's Ball, samples of popular domestic and imported beers from previous Hops & Grinds events, served with a pupu buffet; 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 24; The Willows Restaurant; $25 advance, $30 at the door, for 21 and older; reservations: 952-9200.

Island Grown Market, produce from local farmers, food samples and information on the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; Aug. 25; Foodland, 1505 Dillingham Blvd.; free; 808-822-7271.

Zinfandel vs. Shiraz, sample, compare and contrast these varietals; 1-5 p.m.; Aug. 25 The Wine Stop; free; 946-3707.

11th annual Walk in the Country, fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii with food stations, wine tasting, silen auction of limited-edition Grace Vineyard wines, travel packages and Hawaiiana; 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Aug. 25; Lanikuhonua, Ko Olina; $250; 949-4203.

Greek Festival, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific's 27th annual event featuring authentic Greek food, Greek music and dance, and import Ouzo, wines and beer; 12-9 p.m.; Aug. 25 and 26; Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion; $3 general, free to active military families with ID; 521-7220.

Wine Dinner, executive chef Aaron Fukuda and J Winery present a five-course dinner paired with complimentary wines; 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 27; Sam Choy's Diamond Head restaurant; $75 plus tax and tip; 732-8645.

MARKETS

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

Fresh Wednesdays; 8-11 a.m.; first and third Wednesdays; Kaiser Ko'olau Clinic; free; 432-3800.

Fort Street Open Market, produce, plants, flowers and arts and crafts; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesdays; Pauahi and Fort streets; free; 538-8005.

Fresh Wednesdays; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays; Kaiser Waipi'o Clinic; free; 432-3100.

Fresh Thursdays; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays; Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center; free; 432-2270.

Kailua Farmers Market, with prepared foods, such as plate dinners, pies, cookies, jams and sauces in addition to vegetables, fruits, meats, herbs and flowers; 5-7:30 p.m.; Thursdays; Kailua Town Center parking garage (behind Longs Drugs on Kailua Road); free; 848-2074.

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

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

Fresh Fridays, locally grown produce, healthy cooking demonstrations, nformation on disease prevention through good nutrition, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Fridays; Kaiser Honolulu Clinic; free; 432-2000.

Aloha Friday Farmers Market, produce, food products and entertainment, 12-6 p.m.; Fridays; Maui Community College; Kahului; free; 808-268-3276.

Farmers Market, cooking demonstrations, produce, meats, seafood and flowers; 7:30-11 a.m.; Saturdays; Kapi'olani Community College, Parking Lot C; free; 848-2074.

Sunset Country Market; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays; Sunset Beach Elementary School; Hale'iwa; free; 237-8248.

Waialua Farmers Market, produce, herbs, fruit, flowers and huli-huli chicken; 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays; Old Waialua Sugar Mill; 637-8589.

Farmers Market, sponsored by Hawaii Farm Bureau; 8-11 a.m.; Sundays; Mililani High School gymnasium; free; 848-2074.

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

Fresh Tuesdays, locally grown produce with free food samples; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Mondays; Kaiser Nanaikeola Clinic lobby; free; 432-2270.

TV SHOW

"Dining Out With Chai," Chai Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro and Singha Thai Cuisine hosts a TV show with cooking tips and information on Hawai'i and Mainland restaurants; 5 p.m. Sundays; KHON 2; 381-8483, 585-0011.

TOURS, TASTINGS & CLASSES

Matthew Gray's Hawaii Food Tours offers three guided restaurant tours — Hole-in-the Wall, Hawaiian Feast and Gourmet Trilogy — in and around Honolulu; daily; $99, $149 and $199; reservations: 926-3663, www.HawaiiFoodTours.com.

A Cook's Tour of Chinatown, Walter Rhee leads a tour of downtown markets: learn about meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices; 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Saturdays; meet near Hawaii National Bank between King and Smith streets; $15. Also, Rhee leads a tour of Chinatown eateries; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Saturdays; meet at same location; $59; reservations: 391-1550.

Merriman's Farm Visits and Dinner, half-day excursions to two Big Island farms that supply the restaurant, followed by a four-course dinner prepared from locally grown ingredients; 2:30-7:30 p.m.; Mondays-Thursdays; Merriman's Restaurant; Waimea, Big Island; $155 (all-inclusive); reservations: 808-331-8505.

Vanilla Experience Luncheon, five-course lunch with dishes prepared using Hawaiian vanilla and fresh Island produce; 12 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; $39 plus tax and tip. Also, Hawaiian Vanilla Tasting; 10 a.m.; Mondays-Fridays; $15 plus tax and tip; Upcountry Brunch Tea; 9:30 a.m.; Tuesdays-Fridays; The Vanilla Mill; Pa'auilo, Big Island; $39 plus tax and tip for the lunch or tea, $15 for the tasting; reservations: 808-776-1771, 877-771-1771.

Pacific Gourmet Cooking Classes, learn cooking techniques and recipes, explore flavors of world cuisines and meet others with similar interests; complete schedule and prices of classes offered at 3245 Pali Highway at www.pacificgourmethawaii.com.

Gourmet Cooking Hawaii offers hands-on and demonstration cooking classes with Island chefs in their restaurants — choose your own chef, menu and date or join classes offered on Saturdays throughout the year; schedule, pricing and booking information: www.gourmetcookinghawaii.com, 735-7788.

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.