September is a month for foodies

We're enjoying the last gasps of summer. School has started already. The month of September has a transitional feeling to it; the wardrobe gradually goes from short sleeves to long sleeves.

In tandem with the fall harvest, our tastes transition from summer salads to more hearty fare. September is a month for foodies, because there are so many different festivals and food-related events. Here are some fun food ideas for September:

• Go to a food festival. Peach Days in Brigham City is Sept. 8-10 (for a full schedule of events check www.brighamchamber.com). Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, the Greek Festival takes place Sept. 9-11 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 279 S. 300 West. Green River's Melon Days are Sept. 16 and 17.

• Heat up your nights with two different events. Z'Tejas at The Gateway hosts its annual Chile Fest beginning Monday through Sept. 25. More than 1,000 pounds of chiles will be roasting on the patio, and the restaurant runs specials on chile-studded dishes.

To commemorate 9/11, for every item ordered off the Chile Fest menu, Z'Tejas will contribute one dollar to the Salt Lake City Fire Department. On Sept. 10, two local battalions will face off in a chile mud pie-eating contest. A salsa-making contest takes place Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Entry forms are at the restaurant.

The 19th Annual Great Salt Lake Chili Affair is Sept. 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at the Salt Palace. This is the primary fund-raiser for the Salt Lake Community Shelter. Local restaurants and chefs donate their signature bowl of chili, as well as breads, salads and desserts. Tickets are $35 per person and $300 for a table of eight. (355-1433)

• The Utah State Fair, Sept. 8-18, is another treasure trove of food finds. You can walk through the exhibits of the blue-ribbon veggies and admire the cow sculpture made from hundreds of pounds of butter. You can also watch all the cooking-gadget demonstrations, indulge in free food samples and look at the livestock that will soon become steak and bacon.

It's also fun to browse through the preserves, cookies, candy, breads and biscuits in the Home Arts Building, where you might catch a cooking demonstration.

• You can try a new Salt Lake restaurant at a bargain price during the Third Annual Downtown Dine O'Round, Sept. 16—30.

This year 40 restaurants are participating, offering a three-course dinner for either $15 or $25 per person. Check out slc.org or call 359-5118 for a list of restaurants and menus. (And catch the last rays of sunset by dining on the patio!)