Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger

The Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival kicks off Thursday, with special appearances by celebrity chefs Robert Irvine, Rocco Dispirito and Pat and Gina Neely, and the signature event, the Grand Market, set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Bally's Grand Ballroom, where you can nibble your way to food nirvana ($55).

Don't forget Blues, Brews & BBQ on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. ($75), with several barbecue vendors peddling ribs, chicken and brisket at the Showboat's House of Blues; a beach soiree with cocktails and passed appetizers with the star chefs Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. ($75) at Caesars Beach; and an island luau hosted by the Neelys Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ($125) at Harrah's Resort pool deck, among other events.

For more information or tickets, click here.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL TEQUILA DAY IN JERSEY CITY


Orale Mexican Kitchen
?rale Mexican Kitchen, which opened in April in Jersey City, is hosting a Herradura tequila tasting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, which just so happens to be National Tequila Day.

The restaurant, 341 Grove St., (201) 333-0001, is from Louis Alvarez and Alex Mendelsohn both alumni of Rosa Mexicana, and the consulting chef is James Muir. There is an extensive tequila list and tequila flights (1 ounce tastings of three tequilas of your choice, $12-$18), and signature dishes include roasted bone marrow tacos topped with crispy pork belly and the "dinosaurio": ancho- and chipotle-marinated bone-in short rib with a tomatillo chipotle compote.

MORE NEW JERSEY FOOD EVENTS:

JERSEY CITY Red, White and Blue Sangria class at Liberty House, 7 p.m. Thursday. $40. Reservations required. 78 Audrey Zapp Drive, Liberty State Park. (201) 395-0300. libertyhouserestaurant.com.

PRINCETON Seven-course farm-to-table benefit dinner at Terhune Orchards with celebrated New Jersey chefs, including Chris Albrecht of Eno Terra and Scott Anderson of Elements, and live music, with proceeds going to Sustainable Jersey. 5 p.m. Thursday. $150. For reservations, click here. 330 Cold Soil Road.

READINGTON "Colonial Breweries of Easton, Pa.," lecture by historic brewer Rich Wagner for ages 12 and older, 7 p.m. Friday, Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, Wyckoff-Wade Barn, 114 Dreahook Road in Stanton. $5. readingtonmuseums.org or (908) 236-2327.

WESTFIELD  ?Power Eating: Five Tips for Maintaining a Competitive Edge in the Workplace,? presentation by health coach and chef Sharon Goldner, 7:30-9 p.m. today. $10. Registration required. Union County Torah Center, 509 Central Ave. (908) 789-5252.