SPECIAL EVENTS

Full of Flavor, chef Dale Thomas teaches how to use stuffings to improve the taste of pork, chicken and salmon; 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 8; Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $58; register: 734-9211.

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. 11; Foodland, Waipouli, Kaua'i free; 808-822-7271.

Vegetarian Casseroles, chef Alyssa Moreau teaches how to be creative with layered casseroles, shepherd's pie and other recipes; 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Aug. 11; Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $48; register: 734-9211.

California Central Coast Wines, sample, compare and contrast varietals from this growing region; 15 p.m.; Aug. 11; The Wine Stop; free; 946-3707.

Summer in Provence, chef Laura Gershuni teaches teaches how to make tomatoes provencial, bouillabaisse and lavender honey cake; 1-5 p.m.; Aug. 11; Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $55; register: 734-9211.

Taste of Mexico III, chef Adriana Torres teaches how to make tamales, including sweet tamales for dessert; 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 13; Kapi'olani Community College 'Ohi'a 109/112; $55; register: 734-9211.

Vegan Macrobiotic Community Dinner, dine outdoors with others or take home a dinner of chickpea soup, quinoa pilaf and organic greens; 6-7:30 p.m.; Aug. 15; Church of the Crossroads; $12, dessert and tea selection additional; reservations requested: 398-2695.

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.

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 fresh 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, educational information on disease prevention through good nutrition, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Fridays; Kaiser Honolulu Clinic; free; 432-2000.

Aloha Friday Farmers Market, fresh 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.

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.

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.