Experts lead fish auction tour

The next Honolulu Fish Auction Tour will run 6 to 9 a.m. Aug. 21. As the fishing fleet rolls in that morning, Brooks Takanaka and John Kaneko from the United Fishery Agency will discuss the history and inner workings of the auction and explain the grading of the fish and how to choose the freshest fish.

The duo also will share the latest research on mercury content in fish.

Cost is $10 and $5 for Slow Food Oahu members. RSVP by Aug. 18 to sfo.reservation@gmail.com, including your name, phone or e-mail contact, name of any guests and whether you’re a member of Slow Food Oahu. Space is limited. Visit slowfoodoahu.org.

Dinner, tasting at the Wine Stop

The Wine Stop is offering two events this month.

To make reservations for either event, call 946-3707 or visit www.thewinestophawaii.com:

» A six-course dinner (plus three desserts) served family style, with corkage fees waived for all wines purchased at the store. 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18, Trump International Hotel & Tower, 223 Saratoga Road. Cost is $80.

» Demystify wine with "The Art of Blind Tasting 101" at 4:30 to 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Learn how to identify the characteristic flavor profiles of specific varietals. Light pupu will be served. Cost is $25.

Enliven lunches with chef’s tips

Spruce up home lunches at a lunch box makeover, the theme of the upcoming Wellness Cuisine cooking class at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Castle Medical Center.

Chef Rebecca Woodland will demonstrate quick and creative solutions to help liven up school and office lunches, and participants will be able to taste the dishes as well.

Cost is $15, $20 per couple and $10 for seniors and students. Call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org. Payment and reservations are required by Aug. 24.

Taste Chinatown on Rhee’s tours

Learn all about Asian cooking — and eating — at Chinatown food tours and some cooking classes, all led by cooking teacher Walter Rhee. Reservations required for all events. Call 391-1550 or e-mail walter@waltereatshawaii.com.

» "A Cook’s Tour of Chinatown" (8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday): Look, smell and touch fruits, veggies, seafood, meat, herbs and spices of Asian cooking. $40

» "Taste of Chinatown Eateries Tour" (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday): Tips on what to eat, where to go and inside detail on some dishes — plus eating. An adventurous spirit, comfy walking shoes and stretchy pants recommended. $80

» "Asian Fish Classics" (3:30 to 7 p.m. next Wednesday): Learn to make Korean raw fish (saeng sun hwe), Southeast Asian sweet/sour whole fish (tim sun yu), Cantonese steamed fish (jing yu), Korean braised monkfish (ah goo chim) and Japanese simmered yellowtail head (buri daikon). $80

» "Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art" (3:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 25): Learn cooking tips and techniques, including Japanese knife techniques. Dishes include beef teriyaki and fish shioyaki, shrimp tempura and agedashi tofu, chawanmushi and sukiyaki. $80

Free events at Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market offers free educational events each month:

» Cooking demos, 4 p.m. Thursdays (except Aug. 19): Dishes are inspired by the upcoming movie "Eat Pray Love" and the countries the tale visits: Italy, India and Bali.

» Keiki in the Kitchen, 11 a.m. Aug. 21: A fun, new class for ages 5 to 12 focuses on healthful eating, with hands-on easy meal preparations.

Visit the market’s customer service desk or call 738-0820.

Cook with honey, win sweet prize

The National Honey Board has launched the Cooking With My Honey Bear online recipe contest.

Through Sept. 15, entrants can submit original or favorite recipes using 100 percent pure honey for a chance to win one of three Le Creuset cookware prizes.

To enter, go to honey.com/nhb/contest.

OAHU FARMERS MARKETS

Farmers markets are a good way to get the freshest products, direct from farmers, and find out what’s happening on the food scene. Here’s where to go throughout the month.

Honolulu

» Manoa Marketplace: 7 to 11 a.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2752 Woodlawn Drive. Call 847-0494 or 554-4667.

>> Kapalama Elementary School: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, 1601 N. School St. (in parking lot across Kam Shopping Center); operated by Mahiku Farms. Call 225-4002.

» Old Varsity Theater: 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays at old Varsity Theater parking lot, 1110 University Ave.; operated by Mahiku Farms. Call 225-4002.

» Fort Street: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, near Wilcox Park (in front of Macy’s). Call 777-9216.

» Davies Pacific Center: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Merchant Street Market, 841 Bishop St.

» First Insurance Center: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. first and third Wednesdays, 1100 Ward Ave. (across from Thomas Square).

» Blaisdell Center: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 777 Ward Ave.; operated by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Call 848-2074.

» St. Clement’s Parish: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, corner of Wilder Avenue and Makiki Street. Call 735-4550 or 595-3025.

Central

» Mililani High: 8 to 11 a.m. Sundays, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway; operated by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Call 848-2074.

North Shore

» Haleiwa: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, Haleiwa Farmers’ Market at traffic signal on the old Kamehameha Highway at the bypass road. Call 388-9696 or e-mail haleiwafarmersmarket@gmail.com.

» Waialua Sugar Mill: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. E-mail info@sugarmillhawaii.com.

» North Shore Country Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sunset Beach Elementary School, 59-360 Kamehameha Highway. Call 237-7022.

East Honolulu

» Hawaii Kai Towne Center: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, behind Panda Express, facing the marina. Call 396-0766.

» Kapiolani Community College: 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays; operated by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Call 848-2074.

» Kalani High: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, school parking lot, 4680 Kalanianaole Highway; operated by Mahiku Farms. Call 225-4002.

» Kaiser High: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 511 Lunalilo Home Road. Also 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; for Saturday market, call 388-9696 or e-mail MOMFarmersMarket@gmail.com.

» Koko Head Elementary: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturdays, 189 Lunalilo Home Road; operated by Mahiku Farms. Call 225-4002.

Windward

» Windward Mall: 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, fronting Macy’s.

» Kailua Town Center: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 609 Kailua Road; operated by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Call 848-2074.

Pearl city

» Momilani Community Center: 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays, corner of Hoomoana Street and Komo Mai Drive; operated by Mahiku Farms. Call 225-4002.

Waikiki

» King’s Village Shopping Center: 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 131 Kaiulani Ave. Call 237-6340 or visit www.kings-village.com.

Leeward

» Waianae High: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, 85-251 Farrington Highway; sponsored by Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center. Call 388-7386.