Three exclusive Chateau Margaux Dinners are just around the corner. The first is on Monday, February 22 at RDG + Bar Annie, at 7 p.m. ($475 per person). Enjoy pairings such as crab fritters and fried oysters with Pavillon Blanc 2011; Texas whole quail and sapicon of huitlacoche with Pavillon Rouge 2010; and "Double Cut" New York steak with Château Margaux 2003. On Tuesday, February 23, the wines will be showcased at Masraff’s, 1753 Post Oak, at 7 p.m. ($450 per person inclusive) The menu includes pan-roasted duck breast and crispy potato croquette with Pavillon Rouge 2010 and herb-crusted Australian lamb medallion with Château Margaux 2003, among other delectable plates. To reserve your spot at either of these Chateau Margaux dinners, contact Susan at 713-854-7855 or coburnsusan2@gmail.com. Each dinner is limited to 20 people, which includes the two hosts.

The third Chateau Margaux dinner will be hosted Pappas Bros. Steakhouse at the Galleria location, 5839 Westheimer, on Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. ($595 per person excluding tax and gratuity). This rare evening will include guest speaker Aurélien Valance, who visits Pappas Bros. Steakhouse from France to share Château Margaux’s rich history and legendary story. Guests will have the opportunity to taste vintages sourced directly from the chateau – ranging back to the 1980s – paired with a menu that includes lightly smoked sturgeon with 2011 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux; aged Muscovy duck breast with 2003 and 1996 Château Margaux; and dry age spinalis of rib eye with sunchoke, black truffle and 1989 and 1985 Château Margaux. For reservations, call 713-780-7352.

Enjoy a Yellow Rose Whiskey Dinner at The Tasting Room CityCentre, 818 Town and Country, on Saturday, February 27, starting at 6 p.m. Guests will feast on hors d'oeuvres and a four-course dinner paired with whiskey tastes from Yellow Rose Distillery. Courses include duck lollipop with a whiskey black cherry glaze over polenta; bacon-wrapped scallop served in a whiskey glass topped with a bourbon bacon jam; braised pulled pork layered with pancakes and a whiskey maple syrup topped with a sunny-side up egg; and peach cobbler with crumble topping, homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce. Tickets are $90.38 per person (inclusive of tax and tip).

The spectacular swine competition Cochon 555 – scheduled for Sunday, February 28 at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. VIP) at the JW Marriott Downtown, 806 Main – has announced the lineup of chefs and dinner details. This year’s competing chefs include Jean-Philippe Gaston of Izakaya Itanji, Justin Yu of Oxheart Restaurant, David Cordúa of Americas, Richard Knight of Hunky Dory and William Wright of Helen Greek Food and Wine. The five chefs will prepare a maximum of six dishes from one whole hog. The winner of the regional event will be announced as the “Prince of Porc” and go on to compete for the national title of “King of Porc” at Grand Cochon. In addition to the 36 competition dishes, guests can expect a TarTare Bar featuring Chef Bobby Matos of State of Grace; a “Luxe Butter Bar” experience featuring the wines of Antica Napa Valley; an Artisan Cheese Bar and the new Seafood Shelf featuring Rappahannock River Oysters. Everyone casting a vote for the best bite of the day at the voting table gets a ticket to “Taste the New” Ramen Bar prepared by Manabu "Hori" Horiuchi of Kata Robata paired with the stunning Wines of Germany, followed by the Pop-Up Pie Shop right before the awards ceremony. And all guests will have the opportunity to take home heritage breed pork from the Pop-Up Butcher Shop, with a butchering demonstration from Andrew Vaserfirer of Revival Market. Tickets start at $130.95 for general admission.

Join MAX’s Wine Dive Fairview, 214 Fairview, for an Oscars Red Carpet Wine Dinner on Sunday, February 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy a red carpet happy hour with wine and passed apps, followed by a four-course dinner (the restaurant will screen the live red-carpet action on its TVs) and can vote on their favorite course. The winning dish will be added to the restaurant's spring menu. Guests are encouraged to dress in red carpet attire. Tickets are $65 per person (plus tax/tip). MAX's will also be offering some Oscar-worthy retail wine deals.

The 6th Annual Kosher Chili Cookoff will be held on Sunday, February 28 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, 5601 South Braeswood. The cookoff attracts more than 3,500 attendees annually for live music, a moonwalk, climbing walls, balloon artists, a jalapeño eating contest and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will help nonprofit organizations in the Houston Jewish Community, including the Jewish Day Schools and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center's Meals on Wheels.

Save the date! Our favorite event of the year, the annual Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza, is back for its 14th year on Tuesday, April 5 at Silver Street Station, 1501 Silver. But you can get your tickets now (general admission tickets: $45-$60; VIP admission tickets: $85-$120). This year features an all-new Iron Fork competition with a new emcee and a new set of competitors, all alongside an excellent roster of savory bites, sweet nibbles and tasty wine, beer and cocktail samples from restaurants and retailers from all over the Houston area.

