JULY 11- AUGUST 14

Gecko’s Iron Chef Challenge

The Gecko’s Grill & Pub locations of Sarasota are going head to head to compete for the Iron Chef Title, creating both new dishes and classic Gecko’s meals with a fresh new spin. Head to any Gecko’s location to see what the Gecko’s chefs have in store. http://geckosgrill.com/

JULY 20

Western Hemisphere Wine Dinner

Take a tour through the diverse, captivating wines of the Western Hemisphere at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Enjoy a perfectly paired five course meal that pushes the boundaries of tradition, creating a fresh take on food and wine pairing. 6700 S. Tamiami Trail. Tickets are $115. 

Grand Opening of Mojo’s Real Cuban

Home to spectacular authentic Cuban cuisine, Mojo’s Real Cuban will be opening its second location in Southside Village today. Mojo’s offers a wide range of dishes like savory Cuban sandwiches, Cuban bowls or platters with rice, beans and meat and even coffee beverages like the classic cortadito. 1830 South Osprey Ave.

JULY 22

Fourth Friday at the Historic Downtown Village

Enjoy live acoustic music and tsty international food as you stroll through the Historic Downtown Village. Food trucks and local vendors like Ri..quisimo, Yummy Kebab and BulGoGi will be serving hors d’oeuvres, wine and merchandise specials. Free.

JULY 25

Beer Dinner at the Beach House 

$65 per person will get you a three course meal--"pb & j" panzanella, seafood boil, beer-poached sausage and s'mores for dessert--paired with delicious beers at the Beach House restaurant on Anna Maria Island. For more information and to make reservations, call (941) 779-2222 or email Shawn Rhoton at [email protected] 

JULY 27

Craft Beer Flights & Bites Dinner Series

Head over to Mattison’s City Grille for a night of craft beer tasting, along with the “bites” dinner menu prepared by Chef Paul Mattison using local farms and fresh Florida seafood. 1 N. Lemon Ave. Tickets are $25, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are encouraged. Buy tickets at mattisons.com.

AUGUST 4

International Wine & Food Pairing at Ace's

With over 10 exclusive international wines paired with an appetizing four course meal, this wine and dinner experience hosted by Exclusive Wine & Wine Events is one you won’t want to miss. Expect dishes like Cajun chicken with penne pasta or grouper piccata with linguine and, to end the night, a mouthwatering Guinness stout cake and fried cheesecake bites. 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. Tickets are $38. Buy tickets here.

AUGUST 7

Trash Fish Sarasota

Get ready for the third annual Trash Fish Sarasota event, featuring unforgettable seafood cuisine created by seven of Sarasota’s top chefs that include underutilized, invasive or aquaculture fish species. While enjoying your meal, learn all about the future of sustainable seafood and have the chance to connect with the leading trailblazers of the culinary community in Sarasota. 1289 N. Palm Avenue. General admission is $150, or $125 for Chefs Collaborative members. Buy tickets here.