Bites & benders

WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE Local firemen get their grill on at Weber Grill’s ’cue competition.

Getting fired up
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And this month, where there’s a grill, there’s a fireman behind it. To celebrate National Barbecue Month, Weber Grill will hold several grilling competitions featuring local Chicago firemen. On Sat 13 the semifinals will take place at all Chicago Weber Grill locations, where teams of firemen will grill baby back ribs, chicken and flank steak. Check out the live bands, nosh on a pulled-pork sandwich, drink some beer and watch the firemen turn up the heat. Sat 13, Weber Grill locations around the city (www.webergrillrestaurant.com); food and drinks are available for purchase.

Conscious quaffs
Summer inspires both healthy activities and drinking outdoors—two things that may be at odds with each other. Combine the two by attending Carnaby Market’s summer tasting of organic wines. The $5 event will feature organic whites and reds, as well as appetizers, organic chocolate fondue and organic coffee (to jolt you out of any potential organic wine daze). May 18, 5–8:30pm. 10 S Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge (call 847-698-8827 for more information).

Aiming to Please!
Just when you finally check out that BYOB sushi joint you heard about on Check, Please! along comes another episode...and suddenly your list of “Restaurants to Hit” has grown three-fold. How does a good disciple of Alpana Singh keep up? At Taste of Check, Please! For the cost of one ticket ($150 for WTTW members, $175 for the rest of us), you’ll have access to tastings from 30 restaurants that have been recommended on the show, such as Blu 47, Chicago Brauhaus, Pizza D.O.C. and La Peña. May 19, 6:30–10pm. WTTW Studios, 5400 N St. Louis Ave at Balmoral Ave (call 773-509-5505 for tickets).