It seems like every other weekend, Brooklyn is home to some kind of homestyle cooking competition, with a constant rotation of cupcake-offs, chili massacres, a big jerk-off, and probably some vegan tofu spread-a-thons somewhere. Prizes at these things are typically anything from homely trophies to a few cans of PBR, but the just-announced, upcoming inaugural Risotto Challenge is something special indeed: The prizes are going to be very nice. More on that below. On April......

We spent this past weekend in a tranqil cabin on a lake (ahhh). Cooking was a big part of the weekend, and although the kitchen was relatively well-equipped with the basics, we realized very quickly that there was one thing that would have made it even better -- one solid, sharp chef's knife. One sharp knife is better than several dull ones, and it can make up for the lack of other tools, like a......

July 19: Summer Wine Tasting The Village Pourhouse is hosting a tasting tonight featuring select wines from the award winning Anthony Road Wine Company, guided by John Martini, Anthony Wine's owner. While you sip, nibble cheese samplings provided by Heluva Good Cheese and listen to live music provided by Akiva. Tickets cost $25 and are available online. For more information call Cari at 212-228-4200 x8003. 64 Third Avenue at 11th Street. July 22: Top Chef......

July 15: Bastille Day at Bar Tabac If you've never played petanque, head on down to Smith Street for North America's largest petanque tournament -- the two block stretch betweeen Bergen and Pacific will be shut down and covered with sand just for the occasion. While your'e watching the action, enjoy special cocktails from Ricard and other drink specials ($5-6), nibble on grilled merguez and chicken sandwiches ($5) and groove to Jazz band Blue Orchid......

June 3: A Day A Whey (the Sequel!) Join Saxelby Cheesemongers for a day trip to the Valley Shepherd Creamery in New Jersey to see a sheep dairy in action. Learn about the cheesemaking process from start to finish and end the day with a picnic on the farm. 11 am to 7 pm. Tickets are $75 and are available online. June 4: Japanese Food Demonstration and Tasting Head on over to the Brooklyn Kitchen......

Ever wonder how some of Brooklyn's finest rockers live? Design Sponge takes a look at Les Savy Fav frontman, Tim Harrington's Williamsburg apartment...and it's definitely not what we expected! Perhaps more surprising than finding out Adrian Grenier insulated his Brooklyn home with jeans, is that Harrington's got great style. At least half of the credit goes to the Misses, Anna, who says of the unphotographed part of the apartment: "we have our DSQ office downstairs......

EVENT: The Brooklyn Kitchen is hosting a series of live in-store cooking demos with local rockers to help celebrate the release of Kara Zuaro’s new book, I Like Food, Food Tastes Good.. Tonight, Les Savy Fav frontman Tim Harrington will school us all in ceviche while likely wearing one of his very own aprons. 7 to 9pm // The Brooklyn Kitchen [616 Lorimer St] // Free MUSIC: The Wordless Music series is pretty self-explanatory. Some......

At half past six sharp on Wednesday, The First Annual Spring Cupcake Cookoff will take place at The Brooklyn Kitchen. This event will break the paper-wrapped baked goods up into three competition categories: the basic floor model (they’re calling it “Pure and Simple”), souped-up (“Additions”), and the Hot Rod (“Decorator’s Delight: Go crazy!” --emphasis ours). A small panel of exceptionally qualified buttercream and lavender sugar judges, including Melanie Schrimpe of Cheeks Bakery, and Jimmy......

Something new to add to the list of kitchen gear that very well may change your life forever: the Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan. Rejoice, all you edge-lovers of brownies, blondies, snickerdoodle bars, whatever- this one’s for you. Made of cast aluminum and sporting a blocky M-shape, with interior sidewalls spaced 2 and ½ inches apart, the Baker’s Edge pan is designed to give every slice of finished product at least 2, sometimes 3, edges of......