SPECIAL EVENTS

"Wine Knows No Borders," dinner prepared by chef Scott Nelson paired with wines from Alsace, France and Baden, Germany, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Brasserie Du Vin, 1115 Bethel St.; $65 plus tax and tip. Reservations required: 545-1115.

"Que Sera Syrah!" wine party with tastings of four Syrah blends with light appetizers, music by the Paradise String Quintet, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Longhi's, Ala Moana Center; $25 plus tax and tip. Reservations: 947-9899.

"Just Desserts," sample a variety of desserts, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kahuku Public & School Library; free. Reservations: 293-8935.

TV SHOWS

"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.

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, noon 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 required: (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 the YWCA on Richards St. 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.

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, Wednesdays, 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 Wednesdays, 8-11 a.m. first and third Wednesdays, Kaiser Ko'olau Clinic (432-3800); also, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays, Kaiser Waipi'o Clinic (432-3100).

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 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.

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.