NEW ENGLAND

These weekly food tours give residents and visitors an exciting opportunity to sample the wide variety of ethnic foods and cultural cuisine of the Blackstone River Valley through live demonstrations and meals. Information: http://www.blackstoneculinaria.com/. Schedule: May 16. Basil and Peppercorns, 877 Central Avenue, Pawtucket. Greek spanikopita May 23. Bob and Timmy’s Grilled Pizza, 621 Pound Hill Road, North Smithfield. Oven-grilled pizza May 30. Sullivan’s Publick House, 572 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket. Irish corned beef and sauerkraut June 6. Andrew's Bistro, 3755 Mendon Road, Cumberland. Chicken Florentine June 13. A & W Root Beer, 460 Putnam Pike, Greenville. How A & W Root Beer is made June 20. Blackstone Valley Outfitters, 25 Carrington Street, Lincoln. Chicken cooked in a Dutch oven and reflector oven June 27. Blackstone Valley Explorer Sunset Cruise, 45 Madeira Avenue, Central Falls. Clam cakes, chowder.

New Hampshire Restaurant Week is an eight-day statewide dining event. More than 150 restaurants are offering three-course prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner, and at three price points. Information: http://www.restaurantweeknh.com

A progressive dinner means traveling from one restaurant to the next for successive courses in a single dinner. Starting with hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, guests move through main course and dessert at four restaurants. Between courses, a coach trip includes beverages, giveaways, and on-board entertainment. The first night, May 22, is an upscale experience. The second night, May 24, will be at more-casual places. Only 40 seats availabe per night. Reservations required. Dates: Tuesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 24. Information: www.lincolnwoodstock.com/events/progressive-dinner.php

“Top Chef” producer and host Tom Colicchio hosts an unforgettable dining experience at Craftsteak at Foxwoods. The Dine Around event includes a nose-to-tail pork menu featuring food stations with dishes prepared by Tom Colicchio, Craftsteak Chef de Cuisine James Lynn, and Pastry Chef Lenora Alcee. Peterson Winery, Thomas Hooker Brewery, and Berkshire Mountain Distillers will be providing a premium selection of beverages. Information: www.foxwoods.com

Crack your first lobster claw of the season at Mystic Seaport’s butter-dribbling, shell-sucking, quintessentially New-England Lobster Days during Memorial Day Weekend. Lobsters in the rough are served by the Rotary Club of Mystic. Lobster platters are served picnic-style under Mystic Seaport’s open-air Boat Shed where diners can watch boats cruising on the Mystic River and enjoy music of the sea. Museum Admission is required to attend Lobster Days. Regular museum admission does not include price of food. Food and drink are purchased separately when on grounds. Information: www.mysticseaport.org/lobsterdays

This is a night of fine wine, a silent auction, and delicious bites from local caterers and restaurants. This year’s event will honor June Rosenthal, supporter, and Aquarion Water Company, premier partner. All proceeds from the event support SM&NC’s educational mission. Information: www.stamfordmuseum.org.

This three-day festival features live bands, national barbecue experts, cooking demos, rib contests. Host Mike Petit of NESN's Grillseekers hosts the event, filled with cooking demonstrations, live bands and Q&A sessions with Pitmaster Troy Black. Guests can also enjoy the beats and treats from DJ Chef Marc Weiss, shop the Sardilli Farmer's Market, ride the mechanical bull and watch Joey Jaws Chestnut battle in a rib eating contest. Information: http://bit.ly/HrC4Km

At this quintessential New England event, you’ll enjoy a cookout that includes: fire roasted Connecticut river shad or barbecue chicken or hot dogs, salads, Lyman Orchard’s apple pie and shucked clams and oysters with all the fixin’s. There also will also live music, antique cars, and firetruck/moon bounces, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn and sno cones for the kids. The Shad Bake is held rain or shine. There is covered outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Tickets are non-refundable.

The annual Chowder Festival offers some of the best chowder the Seacoast has to offer. Each year, more than 4,000 people help kick off the Prescott Park Arts Festival summer season by enjoying more than 500 gallons of piping hot chowder served up for tasting. Be your own judge and vote for your favorite chowder from more than a dozen restaurants as they compete for the Best Chowder title. Information: www.prescottpark.org/chowder.cfm

With a wide spread from national to regional competitors, festival-goers will taste a myriad of traditional and exotic chowders from all kitchens, then vote for the best in three categories: Clam, Seafood and Creative. The largest and longest running chowder championships in the country, the event features all-you-can-eat chowda from the nation's best chefs who serve unlimited samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of chowder loving festival attendees who also act as judges. The competition is thick, as chefs vie for coveted titles in various categories as well as prize money and bragging rights. Live bands, cooking demonstrations and kidSTOPs are all part of the fun for all ages. Information: www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/great-chowder-cook-off

This festival celebrate foods from Canadian, German, Irish, Italian, Native American, Norwegian and Russian heritages. Chefs will prepare bean-hole-beans, Canadian ragout, pets de soeur, potato candy, homemade donuts, Russian cabbage rolls, German bratwurst & sauerkraut, Norwegian meat cakes, Italian lasagna, Canadian meat pies, Irish cuisine, Cherokee Brunswick stew, French pea soup, Italian wedding soup, desserts and more. Entertainment by Patrick Ross and Tim Dion. Discounted River Boat tours all day. The Roy Family Farm in Milan will bring their animals for viewing. Special appearance by North Country Classics Car Club and their automobiles. Information: www.northernforestheritage.org/cf_main.htm

Vote for your favorite chowder. Come and taste Block Island’s own oysters. Part of the Taste of Block Island Festival June 1-3. Information: www.blockislandchamber.com/TasteBIEvents.htm

Sample delicious wines, cheeses and fine cuisine from area restaurants during Village Gate’s Taste of Farmington Valley! Some of the top local chefs will be in attendance, and guests are welcome to vote for their favorite dish. Raffle prizes will be awarded, and admission is free.

Stroll through one of Providence's most flavorful neighborhoods, while sampling signature cuisine or enjoying exclusive discounts at restaurants, shops and galleries. The evening will also include musical entertainment and the opportunity to vote for your favorite venues and help crown this year's King of the Hill, and the Most Creative Venue. Held rain or shine. No refunds. Information and tickets: http://bit.ly/KPv0v5

Come and nosh at the New England Food Truck Festival. More than 50 trucks from all over New England will be participating on a rotating basis; some will be at all, others in select communities. Participating trucks include Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Bon Me, Staff Meal, Woodman’s of Essex, and Kickass Cupcakes. A list of participating trucks is at www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/the-trucks. Information: www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com

The Taste of the Vineyard is the kick-off to the Vineyard's summer social season. Thursday night's Gourmet Stroll offers the Island's best food, wine and hand-crafted beers from over 75 outstanding fine food and beverage participants. Then, dance to Jerry Bennett and the Sultans of Swing's 12 piece band. The Stroll is a sell-out event each year so don't delay. Tickets go on sale May 25 for the general public. Information: http://bit.ly/J0L4Xm

Come and nosh at the New England Food Truck Festival. More than 50 trucks from all over New England will be participating on a rotating basis; some will be at all, others in select communities. Participating trucks include Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Bon Me, Staff Meal, Woodman’s of Essex, and Kickass Cupcakes. A list of participating trucks is at www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/the-trucks. Information: www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com

Enjoy a weekend of wine tastings, food pairings, gala dinners, cooking seminars, and auctions while taking in the beauty of Stowe in summer. Major events are the Kickoff Wine Tasting, June 22, 5-7 p.m.; the Grand Tasting & Silent Auction, June 24, noon to 4 p.m.; the Gala Dinner & Auction, June 23, 6-11 p.m.; and the Demos, Seminars & Tastings, June 23 and June 24. Information and event schedules: visit www.stowewine.com.

Celebrate the Woopie Pie with samples, races, a pie eating contest, live entertainment, crafts, family activities, and more. Information: mainewhoopiepiefestival.com

Food tastings by local chefs, organized by Share Our Strength. All proceeds go to relieve hunger in children. Held under Camelot tents at Strawbery Banke Museum. Information: www.strength.org/portsmouth

Come and nosh at the New England Food Truck Festival. More than 50 trucks from all over New England will be participating on a rotating basis; some will be at all, others in select communities. Participating trucks include Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Bon Me, Staff Meal, Woodman’s of Essex, and Kickass Cupcakes. A list of participating trucks is at www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/the-trucks. Information: www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com

Featuring fine wines, specialty food vendors, artisans, and live music, it is the perfect summer activity for both the amateur and sophisticated wine connoisseur. The festival enjoyed a record number of guests last year, and this year, organizers are promising more music, more excitement, good food, and lots of great local wines. Information: www.ctwine.com

Working from the first American cookbook, Amelia Simmons' American Cookery (1796), guests will prepare several receipts at the hearth using produce raised on the farm before sitting down to enjoy dinner by candlelight. Limited to eight participants; intended for ages 16 and up; reservations required. Dates: March 24; April 7, 21; May 5, June 23.Information: http://www.coggeshallfarm.org/

Once again it is time to give thanks for Wuttatmineash, the first berry of the season. Native people continue to come together each year to honor the strawberry. Come enjoy a puppet show and sample the berry’s sweetness with a strawberry drink. Make a pendant to remember the celebration and enter the hubbub tournament, a traditional Native American dice game, where the winner receives a hubbub game. Information: www.pequotmuseum.org.

Savor the glories of spring in the White Mountains with the annual Spring Herb Tour. Visit 10 premier inns in the White Mountains and learn all about fresh herbs -- their uses, history, and versatility. Enjoy delicious treats made up of select herbs and take home recipes and samples. Information: www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com/spring-herb-tour.htm