Dining news and upcoming events in Metro Detroit

Food events

Savor Food & Wine Festival at Detroit Zoo: Sample unlimited cuisine from some of the area’s most applauded restaurants, plus beverage tastings and live music. Private tasting seminars are available for an extra fee. 6-10 p.m. Fri. $65 and up. 8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak. Detroitzoo.com.

Corn Festival at Birmingham Farmers Market: Enjoy roasted corn, kettle popcorn, corn bread, sweet corn and more at this celebration of this cob-clinging vegetable. There will be games, crafts and farm animals, too. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 660 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham. birminghamfarmersmarket.org or (248) 530-1200.

Provisions Grilled Cheese at Urbanrest: A grilled cheese and charcuterie board pop-up from Provisions at this Ferndale brewery. 6-9 p.m. Sat. Pricing a la carte. 2615 Wolcott, Ferndale. (248) 468-4487.

Gajiza Dumplins at Fist of Curry: Fist of Curry restaurant has closed, but the kitchen and space is still available for pop-ups like this one Sunday evening from Gajiza Dumplins. The a la carte menu has dumpling appetizers and entrees like noodle curry soup and braised catfish. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. 5-10 p.m. Sun. 2547 Bagley, Detroit. facebook.com/gajizadumplins.

Melon Festival in Howell: This longstanding community event includes live music, food, the Melon Run, a kids’ melon patch and other melon-related fun. Aug. 17-19. 200 E. Grand River, Howell. howellmelonfestival.com.

Gleaners Community Food Bank Iron Chef Competition at Bordine’s Nursery: Chef Craig Myrand of Adam Merkel Restaurants will defend his title against chef Ryan Louwaert of Bourbons restaurant, and the attendees of this event get to taste and judge for themselves. A panel of experts and past winners will make the final call. Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin serves as color commentator. 6 p.m. Aug. 19. $50. 6347 Grand River, Brighton. ironchefevent.org.

Detroit Black Restaurant Week: To highlight black restaurant owners and chefs in our area, around two dozen participating businesses will participate in this annual promotion, offering multi-course menus. Aug. 20-26. BlackMetroEats.com.

Detroit Sushi Festival at Eastern Market: Food from local sushi restaurants and vendors of Japanese culture. Aug. 24. $27, $54 VIP. Shed 5, 2934 Russell, Detroit. detroitsushifest.com.

Mad Men Dinner Party and Cocktail Experience at Frame: A menu straight out of the 1950s and ’60s with canapes, fondue, fish timbale, lamb Wellington and baked Alaska. 6 and 9 p.m. Aug. 25. $65, $50 additional for classic cocktail pairings. Inside Joebar, 23839 John R, Hazel Park. framehazelpark.com.

Michigan Jewish Food Festival at Eastern Market: Vendors, caterers, speakers, live music, chef demos and more will celebrate Jewish food. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 26. Sheds 5 and 6, Eastern Market, 2934 Russell, Detroit. hazon.org/detroit.

Coney Dog Eating Challenge at American Coney Island: Hungry competitors battle to see who can eat the most coney dogs and win the glory and a year of free meals at the downtown Detroit restaurant. Before the main event, the Detroit Police, Detroit Fire/EMT and Windsor Fire Departments will challenge each other. Registration fees, admission and a portion of that day’s sales will benefit the Detroit Police Fund and Detroit Firemen’s Benevolent Fund. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30. $10 to register to compete in advance; $15 day of. $5 suggested donation to attend. 114 W. Lafayette, Detroit. (586) 219-0995.

Blind Wine Tasting at Rattlesnake Club: Guess what wine is in front of you during this five-course “blind” wine tasting with small plates. 6 p.m. Aug. 30. $65 online, $75 at the door (plus tax and tip). 300 River Place, Detroit. (313) 567-4400 ext. 6226.

Dining, food news

Eric Voigt is new executive chef at Big Rock: Big Rock Chophouse (245 S. Eton, Birmingham) has named Eric Voigt the new executive chef and Bill Morales the new executive sous chef. Voigt, who is formerly the restaurant’s executive pastry chef, replaces chef Gabby Milton. She is working full-time at sister restaurant Lumen in Detroit. Voigt and Morales oversee Big Rock and the private dining facility the Reserve, as well as off-site catering events.

Jet’s Pizza turns 40: To celebrate opening the first Jet’s Pizza in August of 1979, the Michigan chain will give guests discounted pizza throughout the month. Through Aug. 22 get an 8 Corner Detroit-style deep dish pizza for $9.99 for pick-up or delivery when ordered online with the code JETS40TH. On Aug. 26 from noon-6 p.m., carryout guests can get a large, one-topping pizza for $4.99.

Joe Muer Seafood celebrates: In honor of its first anniversary, Joe Muer Seafood in Bloomfield Hills (39475 Woodward) celebrates with deals for guests. In the month of August, a lobster dinner with sweet creamed corn, potatoes and sorbet will be offered for $50. Dessert deals will continue in September through November. Through November, any newlyweds celebrating their first anniversary at Joe Muer will receive a free glass of champagne.

Anthology raises funds: Corktown’s Anthology Coffee has raised $20,000 via a Kickstarter campaign to move from inside Ponyride in Detroit to its own storefront in Eastern Market. The specialty coffee shop started as a pop-up in 2011.

Share-a-Splurpee at 7-Eleven: Monday through Aug. 19, buy any size or flavor of Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven stores and get a second one for free. During the buy-one-get-one event, both drinks count toward the 7Rewards “buy six, get the seventh free” drink offer. The convenience store’s featured flavor is a bright blue Cap’n Crunch Crunch Berries.

Melody Baetens