Cooks & Books
Beginning Sept. 14, on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Harmons Bangerter Crossing store (125 E. 13800 South, Draper) will partner with The King’s English Bookshop to offer monthly classes that pair cooking with reading. The recipes will be inspired by the contents of the selected book of the month. Cooking demonstrations will be led by Harmons’ own chef Evan Francois, and a reading discussion will be led by select booksellers from The King’s English. Whenever possible, the book’s author will attend to cook and discuss their book. “Ever since the book Julie & Julia, many bibliophiles have felt free to admit they have a secret life as culinary masters,” says Jenny Lyons, marketing manager at The King’s English Bookshop. “Cooks & Books gives us the chance to pair two well-matched passions and explore more deeply the love of cooking alongside the love of a good book.” “Books go with cooks like peanut butter goes with jelly,” says Bob Harmon, vice president and co-owner of Harmons. The first book will be Day of Honey: A Memoir of Food, Love, and War by Annia Ciezadlo, to be paired with Middle-Eastern cuisine. Sign up at HarmonsGrocery.com/Cooking-School/.

Bud & Chili
A pair of interesting cooking competitions coming to the Utah State Fair caught my eye: On Sept. 15, the Budweiser Chili Cook-off will take place, featuring chili made by amateur competitors. Chili will be judged based on visual appeal, originality, taste and aroma. Also on Sept. 15 is the Fresh Made Salsa Competition, putting amateur cooks’ salsa-making skills to the test. For more information, registration/entry rules, etc., visit Utah-State-Fair.com.

Iron Pig Fest
The inaugural Iron Pig Food Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept.10, in conjunction with Fizz Fest at the Daybreak Community in South Jordan. The idea behind the Iron Pig Food Festival is to “provide memorable food experiences by coupling high-quality food with great live music and other community interests,” including highlighting some of the Salt Lake area’s tastiest food establishments. The Food Festival will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. and will include the “Iron Pig Clash of the Cupcakes” competition, a “Tantalizing Tapas Tour” and kids’ cupcake decorating. For additional information, visit DaybreakUtah.com.

Quote of the week: Grits is the first truly American food. —Turner Catledge