TABLE TALK: Serve up edible art in plate contest

Here’s your chance to get in touch with your inner artist.

Amuzé Bistro Dining, 292 S. Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, and the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, 304 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, are having a “The Plate is Your Canvas” contest starting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

“It’s a visual contest,” says William Sherman, owner and chef of the restaurant. “Think of it as food art or food architecture. It doesn’t even have to be on a plate. It can be a bite to a full entree. There will not be any tasting. It can be fun or serious.”

It’s open to all ages. There’s a $5 contest entry fee, and entrees are due at the art center by 6 p.m. the day of the event. Prizes are: first place, dinner for four at Amuzé; second place, dinner for two at Amuzé; and third place, a culinary-related gift.

The event tickets are $25 each and include wine tasting, heavy hors d’oeuvres by Sherman and live music. Call 481-0475 for information or to buy tickets.

Pizzas for heroes
Borriello Brothers will donate profits from pizzas and other food sold Sunday to local firefighters, as part of an annual 9/11 fundraiser. It is expecting to sell more than 1,000 pizzas.

Borriello locations are 215 E. Platte Ave., 4750 Barnes Road, 5180 Fontaine Blvd., Fountain, 229 S. Eighth St., and 5490 Powers Center Point. One number — 884-2020 — reaches all of them.

Sip and nosh
The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St., has wine with tapas tastings the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Cost is $30 to taste four wines with four tapas. Sept. 23 will feature wines from the Calina Winery; Oct. 14, wines of Italy; and Oct. 28, Halloween: Scary Wines.

Wine dinners
Walter’s Bistro, 146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., will be having several wine dinners. Call 630-0201 for reservations.
• Wednesday — Italian: Pan Roasted Sea Bass paired with Al-Poggio 2006; Oven Roasted Veal Rack paired with Barolo 2004; Braised Pork Osso Buco paired with Il Bastioni Chianti Classico; Grilled Mint Marinated Lamb Chops paired with Amarone Fumamelli; and Almond Panna Cotta paired with Vin Santo 2003. Cost is $75 plus tax and gratuity.
• Oct. 2 — lobster night
• Oct. 30 — French night

Chefs saddle up
Chefs from the American Culinary Federation Pikes Peak Chapter will strut their stuff at the Colorado Cowboy Culinary Cuisine at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20. There will be a one-pot cook-off. Food will be prepared by Buffalo Gals Catering; The Margarita at PineCreek; Craftwood Inn; Bistro de Pinto; The Warehouse; The Melting Pot; Blue Star; and Alpine Chef Catering. Beverages will be provided by Trinity Brewing Co., Cheers Liquor Mart and Colorado Coffee Merchants. Desserts by Sweet Daphne’s and Sinton Dairy.

Cost is $40 per person. Visit pikespeak chefs.com or call 955-7012 for tickets.

Opening
Rita’s Restaurant, 405 N. Union Blvd., has just opened. It’s a second location for the Mexican eatery. The other one is Rita’s Mexican Kitchen, 8655 W. U.S. Highway 24 in Cascade.
Hours for the new location are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
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