1. Allez Cuisine!
While it’s not quite Iron Chef, food-contest lovers will be flocking to Sacramento on Tuesday, June 10, for the SushiMasters State Finals Competition. Categories include morikomi, also known as “traditional style,” and signature roll.  The cost of admission ($50) covers a reception-style sampling of sushi, sake and other Japanese specialties and a traditional sake barrel-breaking ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charged by phone at 800-225-2277.

2. Slowing Down
The much ballyhooed Slow Food Nation promises to be quite the event. We don't want to miss a thing, and we're sure you don't either. From day-trips to lectures, films to feasts, the four-day extravaganza (held over Labor Day weekend, August 29 through September 1) will have something for every food-lover. Tickets for many of the events went on sale today; go take a look and plan your attack.



3. Frankly, My Dear
San Francisco’s Let’s Be Frank hot dogs have been celebrated in every major food magazine across the country, and Giants fans in the know have long made it a priority to stop at the Let’s Be Frank cart at AT&T Park. Downtown foodies will now have a chance to sample the grass-fed, hormone-free wieners without having to buy a ticket from scalpers. The upscale hot-dog stand (located in front of Acme Chophouse) will now be open every Friday from 11:30 to 2:30, even on non-game days. The feel-good franks and bratwurst are $5.50, which includes your choice of organic condiments.



4. Suds Alert
No time for that round-the-world trip you’ve been dreaming about? Here’s the next best thing: The summer promotion at O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Around the World in 80 Beers, will have you sampling suds from the four corners of the globe. On Saturday, June 7, head to O’Neill’s from 4 to 6 p.m. to sample a wide range of German beers accompanied by appetizers. Make plans to return on July 5 for a sampling of (what else?) American beers. You might end up with a hangover, but isn’t that better than jetlag? Tickets are $30 in advance at aroundtheworldin80beers.com.



5. Slow Down and Sip
On Sunday, June 8, San Francisco’s wine lovers will be congregating at Fort Mason to enjoy the fifth annual Golden Glass, an event put on by Slow Food San Francisco. Over 100 wineries from Spain, Australia, Argentina, France and Italy will be offering samples. The wines will be complemented by slow food from the Bay Area’s top restaurants and artisans. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Visit thegoldenglass.com for more information, or book your tickets here.

6. Gone South
In case anyone was beginning to worry that there might not be enough wine events this week—a sure sign of desperate times—the kiwis at South are putting on a New Zealand summer wine dinner on Monday, June 9. Special guests will include New Zealand winemakers Nick Nobilo and Simon Buck. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and is $85 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 415-974-5599.



7. Commonwealth Cooks
Fans of local television chef and James Beard awardwinner Joey Altman will have a chance to ask him about the techniques and tricks of the trade at a signing event for his new book, Without Reservations, to be held at Stacey’s Bookstore (595 Market St., second floor) on Tuesday, June 10, at 5:30 p.m. Admission for this event (which includes a cooking demonstration and tasting) is $8 for members and  $15 for nonmembers, and tickets can be purchased here.