On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

May 12: Brooklyn Pigfest
It's the 7th year for this pork-filled event, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Swine and birds will be tenderly slow-cooked by Waterfront Ale House's own Sam Barbieri and his champion BBQ team, and there will be plenty of cold beer and live music to go around. Tobacco Warehouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 - 6 p.m., tickets $75, available online in advance and at the event for $85.

May 12: Manhattan Crawfish Boil 2007
The gang at CrawfishNY are at it again. They're joining forces with sponsors are Abita Breweries and Appleton Estates Rum for a benefit for the Common Ground Relief Collective, which is dedicated to providing hurricane relief and to the rebuilding of New Orleans. What better way to spend a Saturday evening than getting down and dirty at a crawfish boil, with mudbugs galore, corn, sausage, and all the fixins, plus all the beer and hurricanes you can drink? Seriously, these folks know how to throw one hell of a party, and it's even better when it's for a good cause. 5 - 9 p.m., Stuyvesant Cove Park. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased online in advance. For more information call 718-638-4599.

May 13: Good Words @ Good World
This episode of the montly reading series hones in on one of our favorite topics -- drinking. Max Blagg, co-editor of Bald Ego, and David Lynch, author of Vino Italiano and The Vino Italiano Buying Guide will be holding court. And yes, drinks are available for purchase. Free, 5:00 p.m., Good World Bar and Grill, 3 Orchard Street, between Canal and Division.

May 15: Carlo Petrini, Founder of the Slow Food Movement
You may have heard about Slow Food, but what is it exactly? Get the answer from the man himself, Carlo Petrini, at a lecture and reading from his new book Slow Food Nation: Why Our Food Should Be Good, Clean, and Fair. The event will include a book talk and signing, and food writer Corby Kummer will assist in translation from Carlo's native Italian. 7:00 p.m., first floor of the Museum of Natural History in the Kauffman Theater. Tickets are $15.00 ($12.00 for Members) and are available online or by calling 212-769-5200.

May 15, 17, 22: The Joy of Cheese Presents The Italian Job
Taste over a dozen different cheeses from the big boot, and hear about the effect of the Roman Empire on Italian cheesemaking and its present day diversity. 7 p.m., 10 Degrees, 121 St. Marks Place. Admission to the tasting is $30 and you pay for your drinks as you go. Reservations are required and can be made by email.

May 16: Brooklyn Uncorked
Edible Brooklyn is hosting an event to showcase the wines of Long Island. Put aside any preconceived notions that you may have, come on out, and taste away -- over 25 wineries are participating. Tickets are $30 and are available online. 6 - 9 p.m. at BAM Cafe, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn.

May 16: Sake Tasting Dinner at Public
Over twenty of the most acclaimed sake producers from Japan will be showcasing their sakes which Chef Brad Farmerie will strategically pair with a 7-course menu. $150. For reservations, please call (212) 343-7011 with credit card details and ask for the Sake Tasting Dinner. Public, 210 Elizabeth Street between Prince and Spring Streets.