A Classic vintage

Oenophiles, raise your glasses for the first Bar Harbor Food and Wine Classic Sept. 7-16 at the Bar Harbor Club. Celebrity Maine chefs and master winemakers will pair up for a grand tasting reception, Domaine Chandon bubbles and jazz brunches, flight nights, a rare zinfandel dinner, Italian vintner’s dinner. Among the highlights is a local producers’ dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Havana, featuring farmers, fishermen and producers within 100 miles of Bar Harbor. Locally produced cider and wine will be available as well. To reserve a seat, call Havana directly at 288-2822. For ticket information or a full schedule of events, visit www.barharborfoodandwineclassic.com.

Herbal essences

Maine’s first lady Karen Baldacci will share her favorite herbal recipes as part of the Kitchen Garden Series at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Baldacci keeps an extensive herb and vegetable garden at the Blaine House, but for this event, she’ll use herbs from CMBG’s newly established kitchen garden. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6. Reservations are required and the class costs $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For information, visit www.mainegardens.org or call 633-4333.

The “Ultimate” night out

The gloves are off – but the oven mitts are on – for the final round of Bangor’s Ultimate Chef Competition. It’s Roger Gelis of Opus vs. David Smith of the Muddy Rudder, and the stakes are high in this taste-off. Who’s the best chef? You can be the judge – and treat yourself to two four-course meals – at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and 24. Both dinners will feature a secret Maine ingredient. Tickets cost $90 for both meals, and a limited number remains. To reserve, call the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau at 947-5205.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.