This week's food events

SUN 1 FRANK BRUNI AND MIKE COLAMECO AT 92ND STREET Y
Not so fast, Sifton. Frank Bruni may have forked over his New York Times critic title, but we’re sure he’ll have plenty to say at this discussion with Food Talk radio host Mike Colameco. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St (212-415-5500, 92y.org). 7:30pm, $27.

WED 4 CUSINE OF ALSACE
Learn to make Alsatian staples like kugelhopf (a light, yeasty cake) and choucroute garnie, then consume them alongside crisp rieslings and gewürztraminers at this tasting and hands-on class devoted to the region. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6–9pm, $125.

WED 4 WILLIAM GRIMES AT TENEMENT TALKS
Ever wonder what New Yorkers ate pre-Chang? (The horror!) Visit the Tenement Museum to hear from another former Times dining critic, William Grimes. The writer will wax historical on the evolution of New York restaurants—the subject of his new book, Appetite City. FREE The Tenement Museum, 108 Orchard St between Broome and Delancey Sts (R.S.V.P. to events@tenement.org). 6:30pm.

SUN 8 LAMB BUTCHERING
Start licking your chops, lamb lovers: The Institute of Culinary Education’s head butcher, Rudi Weid, will break down a whole lamb at this seminar, using a sustainably raised animal from 3-Corner Field Farm. Some of the meat will be cooked during the class; bring cash to bid on the remaining cuts—proceeds benefit Slow Food NYC. Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (800-522-4610, slowfoodnyc.org). 2–5pm, $75.

MON 9 FOOD52 PIGLET PARTY
Madoff’s not the only one cooking the books. Recipe site food52 has invited culinary celebs like Nora Ephron to test 16 of the year’s top cookbooks. It’ll announce the best volumes (contenders include Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc) at the event, which features snacks from the tomes. Aspiring food scribes should also check out the panel with Saveur cofounder Christopher Hirsheimer. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6:30–9:30pm, $45.

TUE 10 AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL PSILAKIS
It’s a rough week for four-legged fleecy types, but don’t let that stop you from flocking to this book party and cooking demo for Michael Psilakis’s How to Roast a Lamb. Feast on five dishes from the book, all paired with Greek wines from the Anthos cellar. Fans can get face time at a Q&A session and book-signing (a copy is included with cost of entry) after the dinner. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenter.com). 6:30–8:30pm, $85.

WED 11 JAMES BEARD AMERICAN ICONS GALA SOLD OUT
The James Beard Foundation’s annual fund-raiser has recruited top American toques—Dan Barber, Alfred Portale, Larry Forgione and Charlie Palmer—to create a five-course meal. Dishes include Forgione’s butter-poached lobster, paired with a 2007 Heitz Cellar chardonnay. There’s a silent auction, too. The Four Seasons, 99 E 52nd St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-6270-2308, jbfauction.com). 6:30pm, $450.

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