One of the biggest food events in March, Cochon 555, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver at 1881 Curtis St. It’s a sold-out event, but you can enter to win two tickets courtesy of www.eaterdenver.com.

An all-star lineup of five chefs —  Paul Reilly of Beast & Bottle; Bill Greenwood of Beano’s Cabin; Justin Brunson of Old Major; Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall and Steve Redzikowski of Oak On Fourteenth in Boulder and Acorn — will compete to become Prince or Princess of Porc. The five chefs will compete by preparing a maximum of six dishes, each from one whole heritage breed pig, to win votes from the crowd.

You can win two VIP tickets to this pig-centric extravaganza.

Take a bite out of LoDo during the annual LoDo District Inc.’s LoDo Bites tasting event from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 21.

An anticipated 1,500 participants will sample snacks and sip drinks from a host of different restaurants in Lower Downtown.

Holly Barrett, executive director of LoDo District Inc., said, “This event is terrific because it gives people from all over Denver and beyond the chance to try up to 26 different restaurants in one night. They’ll get a snapshot of the restaurants’ atmosphere and cuisine, and it’s a great opportunity for LoDo restaurants to really shine to a crowd that might not normally stop by.”

The participating restaurants are: 1515 Restaurant, Ambria Food & Wine, Backcountry Provisions, Bistro Vendome, The Celtic Tavern, Charlie Palmer’s District Tavern, Chloe, Common Grounds, Coohills, Euclid Hall, Fado Irish Pub, Fogo de Chao, H Burger Lounge, Howl at the Moon, Keg Steakhouse & Bar, The Kitchen, MCA Cafe, My Favorite Muffin, Red Star Deli (Studio F), Tavern Downtown, Toppings, Vesting Dipping Grill, Wazee Supper Club, The Wine Loft, Wynkoop Brewing Company and Zydeco’s.

Tickets are $40 per person or $45 the day of the event, free run 5.0 +3 femmes if available, at www.lodo.org/lodo-bites and at Wines Off Wynkoop (1610 16th St.). I can tell you from personal experience that this is a great event for the price. Some restaurants (the smart ones) really put out a great spread.

Girl power

Girl Scouts of Colorado is announcing the 2012 inductees into the esteemed Women of Distinction program in the Denver metro-area during a private reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the home of 1997 Woman of Distinction Barb Grogan.

This year’s seven honorees were selected by their peers and chosen based on their contributions to the community. The women of Distinction commit to supporting Girl Scouts of Colorado and serving Girl Scouts today.

The 2012 Women of Distinction are: Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, vice president of government and external relations, Kaiser Permanente Colorado; Peg Bradley-Doppes, vice chancellor for athletics and recreation and Ritchie Center operations, University of Denver; Juanita Chacon, realtor, Re/Max; Tricia Downing, disabled athlete and spokeswoman for Challenged Athletes Foundation; Melba Johnston, community volunteer and lifetime service to Girl Scouts; Denise O’Leary, corporate director, US Airways; Maren Stewart, president and CEO LiveWell Colorado.

The women will be publicly honored at the Women of Distinction Thin Mint Dinner on Oct. 23 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. More information: Amy Myers at amy.myers@gscolorado.org. Tickets at www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/women-of-distinction-denver.

Blue Bonnet sonnet

Gary Mobell, owner of the iconic Blue Bonnet Cafe at 457 S. Broadway, threw a tasting party for press recently to try out some new additions to the menu.

Coming soon or on the menu now: gazpacho, ceviche with gluten-free chips, strawberry basil Margaritas and cucumber fire roasted jalapeno Margaritas, root vegetable latkes with salsa bar Autumn salad, rosemary and lemon Margaritas, sun-dried tomato rajas house tamales, signature winter tacos, family style rice and beans, ginger lime Margaritas, pumpkin flan, Mexican popsicles and sopapillas.

Build a burger

Greenwood Village-based Red Robin opened its third Red Robin’s Burger Works location in Colorado on Monday at 2700 Arapahoe Ave., on 28th Street and Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder.

Burger Works features some classic Red Robin burgers, free run 5.0 femmes but also gives guests a build-your-own-burger option with a variety of toppings including sautéed portabella mushrooms, beer mustard onions or Thai chili ketchup.

Eavesdropping on a woman to her husband after running into a friend: “Friends don’t let friends wear gaucho pants.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Hey, there’s an elephant on my street; how he got there I’ll never know.

If you’re in the vicinity of Curtis and 18th streets on Saturday, don’t be surprised to see an elephant lumbering toward The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver.

The elephant entry signifies the third and final air jordan spizike wedding ceremony between an East Indian doctor and his American wife. Three ceremonies are planned with the last being an Indian tradition of having the bride arrive at the reception location aboard an elephant being trucked in from California for the occasion.

I’ve been told that there will be street closures and off-duty police officers along the route. “I understand they’ve taken out tons of (city) permits,” said a source. Representatives from the mayor’s office could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Get your grill on

It’ll be a hot time in the old town when a slew of chefs fire up their grills and serve up sliders during the fourth annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge, a fundraiser for the Denver Health Foundation’s men’s health programs, from 6 to 9 p.m. June 13 at Elway’s Cherry Creek.

Roughly 16 of the top local chefs will get their grill on to compete for top honors in the slider competition where the winner is determined by popular vote. Attendees can purchase chips (votes) from $5 to $100, and flip chips into the receptacles on their favorite chefs’ tables. Each chef will concoct a creative slider plus a side dish that will be paired with a wine.

The heated competition represents some of Denver’s best culinary talent including: Steve Ballas (Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs), Robert Bogart (Elway’s Downtown), Michael Bortz (City Bakery), Jamey Fader (Lola, Big Red F Restaurant Group), Troy Guard (TAG, TAG Raw Bar, Madison Grill), Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall), Simon Purvis (EDGE Restaurant), Paul Reilly (formerly of Encore), Matt Selby and Brandon Biederman (Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben’s), Goose Sorensen (Solera), Darrel Truett (Barolo Grill), Tyler Wiard and Aniedra Nichols (Elway’s Cherry Creek), Elise Wiggins (Panzano) and Sean Yontz (El Diablo).

Denver’s own Chris Daniels and the Kings will provide musical entertainment. Guests can also “pay to play” the Hyde Park Jewelers High Striker test of skills game. Event chairs Michael Pollak (Hyde Park) and John Elway (Broncos, Hall of Fame) will fan the fun.

Tickets are $100 apiece or $250 for early admission and entrance to the VIP Lounge. Purchase them at denverhealthfoundation.org.

In memoriam

Hank Dire, owner of the iconic Bonnie Brae Tavern, died Monday at age 84. Hank had worked at the family restaurant since he was 5 years old.

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 3959 E. Iliff Ave., will be the location for a memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday.

Another long-time Colorado restaurateur Timothy Lee Galloway died last November, but the current issue of  issue of Golf Digest tells the touching story of how his son, Winn, took his dad for a round of golf at Pebble Beach where Tim scored a hole in one.

Tim worked at Boulder restaurants including Flagstaff House, adidas neo Red Lion Inn, Potter’s, the restaurants at the Boulderado Hotel and Cork n’ Cleaver.

Check out the Golf Digest story (have your hanky nearby) here.

Dad’s day

Four local men may be captains of industry and pillars in the community, but they are most proud of being a dad.

Walt DeHaven, vice president and general manager of CBS4; Steve Erkenbrack, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans; Greg Feasel, executive vice president and COO of the Colorado Rockies and Jeff Jones, co-president and CFO of Vail Resorts, were lauded Wednesday night during the Father of the Year Awards, a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association.

The ballroom at the Grand Hyatt was packed with supporters who were treated to touching video tributes from children of the honored fathers.

Evening emcee CBS4 anchor Jim Benemann warmed up the crowd with some of his own “dad-isms”.

“I remember my dad fondly for the things he taught me such as, ‘Oh, I’ll give you something to cry about.’ Or, ‘Because I said so, that’s why.'”

Speaking of dear old dad

Are you tardy to the dad’s day party? There’s still time to make Father’s Day brunch or dinner reservations. Go to opentable.com to see a list of special Father’s Day feasts.

Eavesdropping on a man watching The View: “They should just call this,’ We All Talk at the Same Time.'”

Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

What does an iconic musician wear to receive the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama? If you’re Bob Dylan, you don a Rockmount Ranch Wear solid white Pima cotton shirt with black diamond snaps under your tuxedo.

Third-generation Rockmount boss Steve Weil spotted the shirt in photos showing the President putting the purple ribbon around Dylan’s neck during the May 29 ceremony where 12 other folks were also air max thea femmes given the nation’s  highest civilian honor. Click here to see a photo of Dylan, the shirt and the president.

“There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music,” Obama said during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Dylan, who turned 71 last week, has been making musical statements and entertaining for 50 years.

Big bite

Mark your calendars for LoDo Bites: Sip, Sample, Stroll, a night of sipping and snacking at more than 15 participating restaurants from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 21.

At each stop along the route, restaurants will serve tastes of their cuisine, with some offering wine and drink specials and desserts.

Participating eateries so far include Bistro Vendome, Celtic Tavern, Coohills, District Tavern, Euclid Hall, The Tavern Downtown, Vesta Dipping Grill, Wynkoop Brewing Co. and Zydeco. Check out the facebook.com/lododistrict page for added eateries.

Tickets: $40 in advance; $45 after Aug. 17 at 303-628-5428 or at lodo.org.

Ballgame bash

The Colorado Restaurant Association Mile High Chapter’s annual Tailgate Party with the Colorado Rockies is a rousing pre-game pep rally with beer and burgers starting at 3 p.m. June 12 under the tent at Coors Field Lot B before the Rockies take on the Oakland A’s.

Enter the festivities on the north side of Coors Field. There’s parking next to the party site for $12. The baseball game begins at 6:40 pm.

Ticket prices: $25 for the party and game ticket; $15 for tailgate only; $75 for the party, swankier seating section and a $10 ticket toward food and drink at the stadium. E-mail tickets orders to cratailgate@hotmail.com by Friday.

Project props

Roughly 800 posh people donned their black tie duds and gathered at the Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center May 30 for the 51st annual Downtown Denver Awards Dinner where six projects were air yeezy 2 lauded for their impact on downtown.

The winners, selected by a jury, were:

* Clyfford Still Museum for contributing to the cultural vibrancy and international recognition of downtown.

* 14th Street Project Downtown’s Ambassador Street for completing an extensive streetscape and enhancing the pedestrian environment.

* 1099 Osage for maintaining economic and cultural diversity of the La Alma by completing the first building in the mixed-income development.

* History Colorado Center for building a state-of-the-art museum and helping preserve Colorado’s history.

* Denver Pavilions for bringing the first H&M store to Colorado.

*USA Pro Cycling Challenge for attracting more than 250 spectators to downtown and bolstering the local economy.

Eavesdropping on a wife to her husband during a barbecue: “I was a mail-order bride.”

“Yeah, I’ve been looking everywhere for the receipt to get a  refund!.”

Denver has the distinction of being a foodie city chock full of female chefs running several high-profile kitchens in town.

To celebrate that phenom, eight years ago Work Options for Women, a charitable organization that trains women on welfare to work in the food service industry, created WomenCook! an all-female-chef event.

The eighth annual WomenCook! is a walk-around dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 7 at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St. Tickets are $125 apiece at workoptions.org.

What will the women cook, roshe run flywire femmes you ask? Here’s the tasty line-up:

* Kathleen Kenny Davia of Gateaux – carrot cake petit four, chocolate lovers cake pops and assorted spring tea cookies.

* Elise Wiggins’ sous chef will stand in for Panzano executive chef who’s leading a cooking tour of Italy – rabbit gnocchi, marinated slow roasted tomato fine herbes, gorgonzola leeks, mushrooms and shallots.

* Dana Rodriguez, Bistro Vendome –  rhubarb puff pastry tart with foie gras mousse and micro salad.

* Aniedra Nichols, Elway’s Cherry Creek – beef brisket-kimchi lettuce wrap, sambal mayonnaise.

* Sheila Lucero, Jax Fish House – ahi tuna, cucumber tabbouleh, tamarind vinaigrette.

* Lisa Baily, D Bar Desserts – tropical verrine with passion fruit panna cotta, coconut cream and mango chutney.

* Rachel Kesley, Watercourse – seared baked bean polenta with a vegan smoked “gouda” cherry reduction and corn shoots.

* Sandra Adams, Hyatt – Tart cherry and honeyed goat cheese tart apricot and pistachio frangipane tart and chocolate whiskey caramel tart.

* Yasmin Lozada Hissom and Dorina Miller, Spuntino – sweet pea pesto and homemade ricotta bruschetta.

* Rhonda Banks, Gaetanos – bruschetta with fava beans and radish, and a sweet pea bisque.

* Mary Nguyen, Parallel 17 and Street Kitchen – five spice braised lamb, Asian ratatouille, polenta. Sea bass tartare, sweet potato chips.

* Summer Polson and Ashly Quibodeaux, Project Angel Heart – duck confit tacos with mango salsa and queso fresco.

Also participating: Cafe Options and WOW Cafe.

Longtime Work Options board member and Denver restaurant consultant John Imbergamo, who will miss this year’s event due to Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall chef/owner Jennifer Jasinski’s potential James Beard Award in New York, said the origins of WomenCook! started with former Strings owner Noel Cunningham’s vision.

“He was insistent that Work Options for Women and the Women’s Bean Project collaborate on an event,” Imbergamo said. “We put together the first one in 2005 at the Colorado Convention Center and attracted around 200 people in a room that could hold 500. Lots of echos.

“The next year WOW went the solo route and moved to Temple Emanuel when they graciously offered their event space for free.

“It seemed like a natural fit to create an event that featured Denver’s top women chefs volunteering their time and donating food for a program that teaches food-service skills to welfare-to-work women. There were a few events that zeroed in on women chefs but none designed to draw 500 people like WomenCook! does.”

Fuel your engine

After a tedious construction challenge, Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub, 176 S. Broadway, opened on Saturday night.

Housed in a former mechanics’ garage, Gary Lee Bomar and his business partner, Marty Killorin (one third of the Three Kings Tavern owners), are dishing up “custom comfort food” featuring smoked meats and cheeses.

“We’ve turned this place into one of the most beautiful bars in Denver,” Bomar told me.

Bomar has a longtime Denver restaurant-and-bar resume including the nearby Skylark in the neighborhood where he lives. “I would walk by this place,” he said. “Where the cars are always parked, I thought would make a good patio for Broadway. We will have the largest patio on Broadway.”

In addition to smoked fare, Gary Lee’s will offer a Cubano sandwich, vegetarian items including a portabello sandwich, and a salad with arugula, goat cheese and hazelnuts. “Our menu is a little more stylish but still pretty down home,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming about this for 10 years.”

For the next couple of weeks, hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., but when the place is at full speed, hours will increase to 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., roshe run hyp and regular menu till close. Also on the to-do list: live jazz on the weekends.

Keynote speaker

Tonier “Neen” Cain, a nationally known speaker and educator on the devastation of trauma, will deliver the keynote speech at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network’s 11th Annual Mental Health Benefit Luncheon starting at 11 a.m. May 11 at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood.

Cain, who was incarcerated 66 times, finally received treatment for a lifetime of trauma in 2004. She lived on the streets for two decades where she endured violence, hunger and despair.

At the event, emceed by 850KOA radio personality April Zesbaugh, the Distinguished Service and Community Hero awards will be presented to Sen. Linda Newell for her sponsorship of mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention bills at the Capitol, and John Vellos for his contributions to behavioral health issues.

Tickets: admhn.org or by calling 303-779-9676.

Eavesdropping on a little girl to an adult: “Why do I talk so much?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s because I have so many words to say!”

My Facebook page has moved. Be sure to like it! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.