Crawfish, coffee, and Cowtown burgers are on the menu this week, which features many unique events and one of the biggest foodie celebrations of the year. A respected “roast master” from a New Orleans-based coffee chain will visit the area for an educational class. A local distillery will release a new rye whiskey after four years of aging. A Grapevine hotel will challenge two sommeliers to pair wine with dinner, and diners get to judge who’s best. Finally, the CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards arrive on Thursday, when winners in multiple categories highlighting the best of Fort Worth food and beverage will be announced with a grand party.

Wednesday, April 26

Egelhoff Wine Dinner at Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine
Partake in Texas cuisine paired with California wines during this five-course dinner by chef Jon Bonnell and his team. Menu highlights include blackened scallops, cocoa and coffee smoked pork roulade, and duck breast with stuffed crepes. Cab lovers will be happy to know there’ll be three served along with brut reserve, pinot noir, and tawny port. The dinner is $190, plus tax and gratuity. Note that there is no official “start time” for the dinner. Diners are welcome to make reservations for the evening and will be visited by Bonnell and winemaker Bob Egelhoff at their table throughout the evening.

Thursday, April 27

Coffee Cupping at PJ’s Coffee
The North Richland Hills outlet of the respected New Orleans-based coffee chain will host Felton Jones, PJ’s official roast-master for more than 20 years. Jones will educate participants on the nuances of cupping (or tasting) coffee properly and understanding the roasting process. The cost is $30 and guests will receive a PJ’s t-shirt, coffee mug, fresh green coffee samples, and light pastry bites to cleanse the palate. The event will run from 4-6 pm.

CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards
Our big annual celebration of Fort Worth’s top restaurant and bar talent arrives this week, at the 4 Eleven venue on South Main Street. Hosted by chef Jon Bonnell, the evening will feature sample bites and specialty sips from many nominated restaurants, including Guapo Taco, JD’s Hamburgers, Tannahill’s Tavern, Tributary Café, Pizza Verde, and more. Awards for Bar of the Year, Chef of the Year, the reader-voted Best New Restaurant, and more will be handed out. Tickets are $75 for entry at 7 pm, or $125 for VIP early entry at 6 pm, valet parking, and a dedicated bar. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cuisine for Healing. Read more about the nominees here.

Meet the Maker at Toro Toro
It’s the last Thursday of the month, which means it’s time for Meet the Maker at Toro Toro. Visit the Latin steakhouse inside the Worthington Renaissance hotel for complimentary samples from Del Maguey Mezcal from 5-7 pm. Also enjoy craft cocktails and happy hour pricing featuring the spirit inside the Toro Toro bar. Bonus that valet is always complimentary.

Friday, April 28

Somm Smackdown at Hotel Vin
Let’s get ready to rumble. The Grapevine hotel will host a tongue-in-cheek “smackdown” event pitting two expert sommeliers against each other to see who can best pair wine with dinner. Five courses will feature beef croquettes, Hamachi, and Iberian Secret – a succulent piece of pork shoulder. Tickets are $125, plus tax and a service fee, and the face-off begins at 7 pm.

Saturday, April 29

TX Whiskey Straight Rye Whiskey Release
Be one of the first to purchase TX Whiskey’s new Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond, exclusive to the Whiskey Ranch distillery. (To be “bottled in bond” requires certain criteria, including maturing for a minimum of four years.) Master mixologist Jason Shelly will be on-site to serve specialty cocktails using the spirit. There’ll be live music, food trucks, and complimentary bottle engraving with purchase. The $10 ticket includes your first cocktail, and the event will run from 12-5 pm.

Sunday, April 30

Crawfish Boil & Brew at Hop & Sting Brewing Co.
The Grapevine brewery will host its fifth annual crawfish boil, pairing cold craft brew with mudbugs and live music. Couillon’s Cajun catering will provide the crawfish and fixings, including sausage, corn, and potatoes. Purchase a ticket in advance (by April 29) to guarantee a plate, which will run $23.95 (plus tax and a small fee) for two pounds. The event will run from 12-4 pm.

Cowtown Burger Showdown
The second annual burger competition will take place at River Ranch Stockyards, where local burger pros will share their best burgers to be judged for cash prizes. Tickets start at $29 for general admission, which includes three tasting tickets, endless fries, and a beer and whiskey tasting. Or pay $69 for VIP seating, hosted bar, four tasting tickets, and apps. (Kids ages 6-13 can get $15 entry that comes with two tasting tickets and endless fries.) The showdown, which also includes live music and vendors, will run from 1-5 pm.