Monday, July 9

You’ll never look at squash the same way again after self-described “farm groupie” Janine MacLachlan’s talk and signing of her new book. Farmers’ Markets of the Heartland, at the Harold Washington Library. Janine spoke about “Farmers’ Markets of the Heartland, the Ultimate Road Trip” at the Greater Midwest Foodways symposium on road food, which you can listen to thanks to WBEZ’s own Chicago Amplified. Admission FREE.

Tuesday, July 10

With a rebel yell, say more, more, more as Les Dames d’Escoffier Chicago present Zingerman’s, Anarchy and a Great Sandwich at Ina’s. “Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman’s world famous in-house C.E.O. and professional anarchist bring out the workplace rebel in you…Ari’s not only sharing his proven formula for success …he is also bringing a boatload of those world famous Zingerman Deli sandwiches.” Admission $135 members, $140 non-members.

Dig it at Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 Workshop at The Plant. “This workshop is for beginner vegetable gardeners planting both in the ground and in containers…We will touch on soil preparation, seeds vs. plants, garden maintenance, watering techniques, vermin avoidance, fertilizing, trellising, and succession planting.” Admission $20.

Wednesday, July 11

Dash and dine at the 32nd annual Taste of Chicago in Grant Park, which only runs five days this year — last day Sunday July 15 — but with added features to the classic booths and Cooking Corner, including pop-up restaurants and a nearly sold-out Celebrity Chef du Jour meals. Admission FREE, but food and drink additional.

Bring your daubers back to the season premiere of Veggie Bingo at The Hideout, with “a grand prize of fresh produce from Irv and Shelly’s Fresh Picks and a cornucopia of other prizes drawn from local artisanal food producers, farmers, and gardeners — plus FREE HOT DOGS donated by Hot Doug’s…all proceeds benefit local gardens.” Admission $2 per bingo card or $5 for three bingo cards.

Thursday, July 12

Take it low and slow at the highly anticipated Green City Market Chef’s BBQ in Lincoln Park. “All dishes served at the BBQ feature items offered from the bounty of the market with nearly 100 chefs/restaurants creating culinary magic. In addition to food, locally made beer, wine, hand-crafted cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.” Admission $25 kids, $125 general, $250 VIP.

Re-imagine green beer at the Green Week Home Brew Contest at The Neo-Futurists Theater. “Join eco-Andersonville in sampling homebrews during our first ever independent neighborhood homebrew competition.” Admission FREE, incluidng “beers, food, music, and more.”

Friday, July 13

Let them and you eat cake — and cheese — at the Bastille Day Celebration at the Chicago French Market. “The Pastoral team will guide you through a free sampling of items from farms, orchards, vineyards and distilleries from France.” Admission FREE.

Saturday, July 14

Wish a Ramadan Kareem at Ramadan Food Rituals: The Way of Eating During the Islamic Holy Month of Fasting at Kendall College. Chicago Foodways Roundtable presents Yvonne Maffei of My Halal Kitchen. “Come to learn more about the traditional and modern food rituals of this very tasty month and enjoy some samples of halal food, too.” Ramadan begins next Thursday, July 19 at sunset. This event will be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified. Admission $3, FREE for Kendall students and faculty with I.D.

Sunday, July 15

Pig out at special collaborative book dinner with the Princess of Pork, April Bloomfield at Perennial Virant, featuring Paul Virant, Paul Kahan, Bruce Sherman, Nathan Sears, and Elissa Narow. “Enjoy a five-course dinner with beverage pairings, featuring dishes from the pages of A Girl and Her Pig,” plus each guest receives a signed copy of AGaHP. Admission $200.

Save the date!

Monday, July 16

Say namaste at Red Butter Revue, Baconfest-winning chef Monica Sharma’s pop-up debut at Sono. “The night starts with Indian street food and works its way through to present day interpretations of classic Indian desserts” — including the award-winning bacon-chile gulab jamun with bacon-pistachio brittle. Admission $60 food only, $75 with beer pairings.