Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), this event features the area’s finest restaurants and culinary stars, honoring the region’s top chefs and restaurateurs. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting RAMW at 202-331-5990 or by visiting ramw.org.

This Wine & Spirit Education Trust course includes eight sessions (June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18) and a final exam (August 25). All sessions are conducted in Spanish and include a tasting. For more information, contact the International Wine Center at 212-239-3055.

The American Culinary Federation National Convention will feature the Skills for Culinarians Day, a trade show, a Professional Development Series, and more.

This annual culinary and cocktail festival celebrates the history and culture of cocktails and food in New Orleans. Tales of the Cocktail hosts mixologists, authors, chefs, bartenders, designers, and cocktail gurus from around the world to assist in presenting seminars, tastings, and professional series for amateurs and experts. In 2008, new events will include a cocktail market; cocktail cinema; and seminars on subjects including eggs in cocktails, absinthe in the modern era, beer cocktails, molecular mixology, and the first-ever International Symposium of Cocktail Shaker Collectors. For more information, visit talesofthecocktail.com.

The Seventh Annual Killington Wine Festival will feature over 250 wines during the Grand Tasting event, and will also include amazing wine tasting dinners at area restaurants, an exclusive Estate Tasting, and a Bubble Brunch on Sunday morning.

During this event, guests will have the opportunity to sample over 50 craft beers from more than 20 national breweries, and listen to guest lectures from industry professionals on topics such as the state of craft beers and which foods pair best with various beer styles. For more information, visit realbeerfest.com.

Seventy-two craft breweries from 18 different states will each send one product to serve at this event, which will also feature industry exhibits by hop growers, homebrewers, breweriana collectors, and national beer writers. For more information about the Oregon Brewers Festival, visit oregonbrewfest.com or call 503-778-5917.

Cheese aficionados will have an opportunity to savor, sample, and purchase some of the best cheeses in the world when the American Cheese Society (ACS) hosts its Twenty-Fifth Annual Conference and Cheese Competition, with approximately 1,200 cheeses available for judging during a national competition. While much of the conference is designed for members only, the public can participate in two stellar cheese events: the Festival of Cheese (July 26) and a Cheese Sale (July 27). To purchase tickets call the ACS headquarters at 502-583-3783 or visit cheesesociety.org.

This two day symposium and tasting features star wine makers, who will reveal the secrets of making wines with finesse, elegance, aroma, and
balance. A Grand Tasting will offer over 200 wines with matched food pairings from leading East End restaurants. Register at stonybrook.com.

Celebrate Monterey’s Wine Country; taste world-class wines from over 45 Monterey County wineries and enjoy music of a local band as well as educational wine seminars, an extraordinary wine auction, and local restaurant delicacies. To request a brochure call 831-375-9400 or e-mail events@montereywines.org. For more information visit the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association’s Web site.

The Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers' (CHART) Seventy-Sixth Semi Annual Hospitality Training conference will feature the latest training practices, innovations, and solutions through a mix of general and keynote speaker sessions, interactive educational breakouts, and member-sharing workshops. Further information, including a full agenda, is available online at http://chart.org.

In an effort to assist professionals who handle recruiting in the hospitality and foodservice industries, MFHA, announces the first ever Talent Summit. The conference, titled Mission 20/20 – Setting a Clear Vision for Diverse Talent Acquisition & Development, will offer leaders in the industry the chance to learn business development practices and improve recruitment strategies. The summit offers workshops and sessions aimed at improving recruiting procedures as well as increasing employee retention numbers. In order to attend or gain more information about the event, please visit http://www.mfha.net.

The Joy of Sake is a celebration of the art of sake brewing, and is the largest sake tasting in the United States, featuring 300 premium sakes. This is a rare opportunity to sample outstanding labels in peak condition. Attendees will be able to sample the full spectrum of sake styles in the junmai, ginjo, and daiginjo categories, including recipients of silver and gold awards from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. Top restaurants in each city will serve appetizers to complement the sakes, featuring a variety of cuisines from Asian and Japanese to French and American. Tickets may be ordered online or (808-739-1000, 888-799-7242); a special rate is offered to the trade.

Bartenders from around the world compete in teams of three, country against country, and shake it out for the international title. For more information, visit www.42below.com/#/section/cwc.

Grapefest celebrates the beloved grape in a multitude of ways, including grape stomping, grape crushing, and wine tasting. Other activities including the Texas Wine Tribute Dinner, a culinary pavilion, the GrapeFest Express Railroad, arts and crafts booths, and more. For more information, call 817-410-3185.

A three-day culinary symposium, 60 of the world’s most influential and innovative chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers will present the latest techniques and culinary concepts to their peers. Visit www.starchefs.com for more information.

Attendees will gain a reliable and detailed vision of where the industry is headed and how to capitalize on opportunities. Those that would like to register may do so at www.hotelfandb.com.

WCR's conference draws more than 300 culinary professionals together to enjoy keynote presenters, master classes, panel discussions, break out educational sessions, networking breaks and lunches, mini trade fair and cookbook signing, culinary tours, champagne receptions, dessert buffets and dine arounds at area restaurants. One of the featured events of the conference is the Women Who Inspire Celebration Dinner and Awards Ceremony traditionally held on Sunday evening. Visit www.womenchefs.org to register.

This event will feature chef competitions, key note speakers, an exhibit hall, educational seminars, and more. Learn more and register online at americasfoodandbeverage.com.

The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will include exhibits from top wineries, a grand tasting event, auctions, seminars, wine dinners, and more.

The US Drinks Conference is structured to provide the critical and practical information UK distributors need to penetrate the American drinks market. Visit www.usdrinksconference.com for more information.