The Original Dinerant Pie Eating Contest 

What: The Original's downtown Portland (Wo)Man vs. Pie Challenge will feature twelve contestants downing fresh handpies from pastry chef Sally Bowers during a twelve-minute long pie-eating contest. Last year’s hot dog eating champion and drag queen Bolivia Carmichaels will be participating in the event, and Byron Beck will emcee.
When: Thursday, September 20th at noon
Where: Big Pink's outdoor courtyard across the street from The Original, 600 SW 6th, Portland
How Much: Free! Make a donation and get a free slice of pie from The Original. All proceeds from the contest will benefit the Cascade AIDS Project. 

Concurso de Tapas at Bar Vivant

What: Join chefs from eight Portland restaurants (including The Parish, June, Ración, The Woodman Tavern, and Beaker & Flask) as they prepare signature tapas paired with Spanish wines and ciders from De Maison Selections. Also: a Porron pouring contest!
When: Saturday, September 22nd from 3 to 6 pm
Where: Pix/Bar Vivant 2225 E. Burnside St.
How Much: $30 for 8 pairings, no advance tickets necessary. 

Feast Portland Speaker Series by Whole Foods

What: An intimate exploration of our "global local" food system with guest speakers including Chris Ying (editor-in-chief of Lucky Peach), Adam Rapoport (editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit), Francis Lam (features editor at Gilt Taste), Sean Brock (McCrady's Restaurant in Charleston), Karen Brooks (restaurant editor of Portland Monthly), Gabrielle Hamilton (Prune in NYC), Anthony Boutard (co-owner of Ayers Creek Farm), Portland Rep. Earl Blumenauer, and Walter Robb (co-CEO of Whole Foods Market). The 2-hour discussion will be moderated by moderated by Portland Monthly Editor-in-Chief Randy Gragg. 
When: Saturday, September 22nd at 12:30 pm
Where: Gerding Theatre at 128 NW Eleventh Avenue
How Much: $30 per person. Tickets available here.

4th Annual Skamania Lodge Celebration of Beer Weekend

What: A full weekend of beer-centric tastings, classes and dinners with the backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge. Twelve regional breweries (including Acadian Farms, Backwoods Brewing Company, and Laht Neppur Brewing Co.) will be on hand pouring over 36 signature beers, and the event will culminate in a special Oktoberfest Dinner Buffet.
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 22nd and 23rd
Where: Skamania Lodge at 1131 Southwest Skamania Lodge Way in Stevenson, WA
How Much: Tasting prices - $1 per tasting ticket; $20 for 20 tickets and a mug; $40 for 50 tickets and two mugs. $34.95 Oktoberfest Dinner Buffet or Kegs and Eggs Buffet. Overnight lodging specials available. For more information, call (800) 221-7117 or visit www.skamania.com.

Portland Beer Week's Fresh Hops Workshop

What: To celebrate hop harvest season, the Portland Beer Week team has put together a one-of-a-kind Fresh Hop Workshop featuring four of the first fresh hop beers of the season (Total Crystalation from Ninkasi Brewing, Killer Green from Double Mountain Brewing, IPX: The Freshmaker from Hopworks Urban Brewery, and Wet Hop Simcoe Pale Ale from Breakside Brewery) as well as educational tools to help beer lovers get to know their hops (like hop-infused olive oil for dipping and French Press hop infusers for the DIY approach).
When: Saturday, September 22nd at 6 pm
Where: Saraveza's Bad Habit Room 5433 N Michigan Ave
How Much: $10.50 per person, beers individually priced. Advanced tickets available at pdxbeerweek.com.

Baohaus's Eddie Huang at Ping

What: Eddie Huang, chef and founder of Baohaus in New York City, has teamed up with Portland's Ping to prepare an intimate dinner in Chinatown. The night's full menu (including Chairman Bao and Hainan Lobster Rice) is available here. 
When: Sunday, September 23rd, remaining reservations available after 9 pm.
Where: Ping 102 NW 4th Avenue
How much: $35 per person. able at www.baohausatping.com.

House Spirits Cocktail Dinner at Wildwood

What: House Spirits' distiller Colin Howard is teaming up with Wildwood chef Dustin Clark and bartender Ryan Csanky for a special four-course pairing dinner. Cocktails include specialty concoctions using Aviation gin, Krogstad Aquavit, Stillhouse Rum, and Stillhouse Coffee Liqueur.
When: Friday, September 28th at 7 pm.
Where: Wildwood 1221 Northwest 21st
How Much: $60 for food, drinks, and gratuity. 

Montinore 2012 Crush Party

What: A good old-fashioned harvest party at Montinore vineyard, including vineyard tours via hayride, a grape stomp competition, live bluegrass from GTM String Band, nosh from Portland cart The Fried Onion, and plenty of wine. 
When: Saturday, September 29th from noon to 4 pm
Where: Montinore Estate 3663 SW Dilley Road in Forest Grove, Oregon
How much: Free!

3rd Annual Harvest Dinner at Red Ridge Farms

What: A four-course meal from Vitaly Paley of Paley’s Place and upcoming Imperial Restaurant paired with wines from Durant Vineyards to celebrate the beginning of grape and olive harvest season. Red Ridge Farm is home to the Oregon Olive Mill.
When: Saturday, September 29th from 6 to 9 pm.
Where: Oregon Olive Mill, an intimate event space at Red Ridge Farms overlooking the Willamette Valley (5700 NE Breyman Orchards Rd in Dayton, Oregon)
How Much: $135 per person including four courses, wine, and gratuity. For reservations, please call 503-864-8502 or email [email protected].

Know about a great event coming up that should be on our radar? Shoot me an email at [email protected] or give me a shout over on Twitter at @allisonejones. Now get out there and start eating!