SPECIAL EVENTS

Maui Arts & Cultural Center Benefit Dinner, celebrating the soon-to-open Auntie Pasto's on Maui, with a three-course fundraising dinner for MACC with President and CEO Karen Fischer and Chairman of the Board James Haynes, reservations from 5 p.m. Friday, Auntie Pasto's, Queen Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center, Maui; $35. Reservations: 242-2727, ext. 279.

Taste of Mexico I, chef Adriana Torres teaches how to make Mexican rice, mole de olla soup, entree using green mole sauce and mango mousse, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $60. Register: 734-9211.

Southern BBQ, chef Kevin Tate on making barbecue baby back ribs and chicken, potato salad, barbecue beans and southern-style cornbread, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $65. Register: 734-9211.

Basic Knife Skills, chef Grant Sato teaches a repeat class on how to choose, maintain, sharpen kitchen knifes, as well as basic cutting techniques, 6-9 p.m. Monday, Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $45. Register: 734-9211.

Sixth annual Samuel Adams Beer Dinner, five-course gourmet dinner prepared by chef Glenn Chu paired with ales, lagers and porters from Samuel Adams brewery, 6:30 p.m. July 12, Indigo Eurasian Cuisine; $65 plus tax and tip. Reservations: 521-2900.

MARKETS

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

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

Farmers Market, sponsored by Hawaii Farm Bureau, 8-11 a.m. Sundays, Mililani High School, in front of the gym. 848-2074.

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

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

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

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

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

Kailua Farmers Market, with prepared foods, such as plate dinners, pies, cookies, jams and sauces in addition to fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, herbs and flowers, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, 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.-12:30 p.m. Fridays, Kaiser 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.

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; $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.

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 the YWCA on Richards Street 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.