1. To-Do: Todd English
On May 8 at 6 p.m., celebrity chef Todd English will be demonstrating recipes inspired by his interest in Slow Food, the movement to reclaim our meals from the culinary-industrial complex. English is the owner of the Olives restaurant family, coauthor of The Olives Table and, naturally, stars in his own show on PBS, Food Trip with Todd English. The event takes place in Macy’s Union Square Cellar, and the $20 admission will go toward supporting the San Francisco Symphony.

2. Fire meets water
Get front-row seats to KFOG’s annual KaBoom fireworks show on Saturday, May 10, with an all-the-appetizers-you-can-eat event at Waterbar. Tickets are $65 per person and include artichoke-crab crostini, risotto fritters and mini meatballs. Drinks are on you. The waterfront event starts at 7 p.m. and runs until the fireworks are over. What better way to beat the Marina’s madding crowds?



3. Straight from the hip
Hip Tastes, the only enologists we want to spend our Saturdays with, invite you to explore Spanish wines on May 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the spanking new San Francisco Wine Center in SOMA. Emphasizing happening varietals from hot new wine regions, and led by certified sommelier Courtney Cochran, the class is open to anyone who wants to learn about wines in a laid-back environment.



4. Bottoms up!
Or is it “Down the hatch”? Get your toasts down by May 13, when the second annual San Francisco Cocktail Week launches with a gala at Harry Denton's Starlight Room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Locavores and mixologists can find their bliss on May 14, when CUESA hosts an evening of farmers-market-inspired cocktails at the Ferry Building. For $15, you can enjoy cocktail demos by renowned mixologists, two signature drinks and unlimited appetizers. Check out the week’s complete schedule at sfcocktailweek.com

5. Political palates
Savor the flavor of the 11th annual United States of Asian America Festival with the comic and culinary stylings of chefs Mero Cocinero Karimi and Comrade Cocinero Castro. Fresh off an international tour, the two chef-cum-performance-artists cook up revolutionary recipes onstage, serving stories and healthy political discussion with samples of Iranian-Guatemalan-Filipino food. The show runs from May 8 to16 at SomArts Cultural Center, and tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets. For further info, call 415-864-4126.



6. Earth mother
Make Mom and Mother Earth happy on May 11th, when Marin Organic celebrates its second annual Mother’s Day Tea Party. Hosted by All Star Organics farm, the event includes afternoon tea, a bouquet for Mom and a tour of the farm, along with tips for making essential oils. The cost is $25 for members of Marin Organic or $35 for nonmembers, and reservations are suggested. For more information, call 415-663-9667.

7. Green goodies
On May 14th, vegetarian goddesses Sara Tashker of Green Gulch Farms and Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant will be demonstrating farm-fresh cooking and talking about the collaboration between chefs and farmers. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Cellar kitchen at Macy’s. Seating is first-come, first-serve, and the $10 admission includes a sample of the featured dish, a glass of wine from Benziger Family Winery and assorted goodies.