Sue Z.'s Charitable Check-In: June

This month, Sue Z. recommends visiting 100 breweries in one place, plus more delicious happenings—with proceeds benefiting good causes

Wild Food for the Win

WHAT: Wild Food Fandango
WHEN: Sunday, June 3, 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: Keg and Case Market, 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul 
WHY: Fourteen Minnesota chefs compete to create a winning wild-themed food dish to take home the coveted Golden Morel Award. Plus live music, wild crafted cocktails, and Fulton beer. Stop in to check out some our outstanding chefs and cocktail creators with part of the proceeds benefiting the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
INSIDER INFO: Created by Eventbrite, Gentleman Forager, and Keg and Cask Market. Four bands: Wild Times, Frogleg, Black River Review, Dirt Train and Sam Miltich. Fourteen chefs: Fernando Silva, Jim Christiansen, John Ng, Kristi Varner, Matt Bickford, Mike Willenbring, Alex Kisch, Damon Holter, Zach Schulel, Jeffrey Lundmark, Marshall Paulsen, Daniel Cataldo, and Laura Bonicelli. Learn more.


Beer Bazaar Bonanza

WHAT: 10th Annual St. Paul Summer Beer Fest and International Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, June 9; early entry 1 p.m., $60; 2-5 p.m., $45 general admission
WHERE: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, International Bazaar, Underwood St. and Judson Ave., St Paul 
WHY: To celebrate summer and raise funds for the YMCA in St. Paul with a silent auction and more than 100 breweries.
INSIDER INFO: This is an outdoor event including educational seminars, lots of live music, and food to match the beer tasting. Learn more.


The Only Craft Cider Fest in MN

WHAT: Minnesota Craft Cider Festival
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 1-5 p.m.
WHERE: Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway N., St. Paul
WHY: Enjoy the day at Como Lake while sipping unlimited samples of more than 80 ciders from Minnesotan, national, and international cideries.
INSIDER INFO: There will be non-alcoholic beverages including Prohibition Kombucha and Spruce Soda Company libations. Food from the Chowgirls Killer. Catering from Red River Kitchen food truck and the new Spring Café. Learn more.


Art and Food on the Rooftop

WHAT: Eighth Annual Benefit for Northern Spark   
WHEN: Saturday, June 16, 7-10 p.m.
WHERE: Le Meridian Chambers Hotel, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
WHY: To raise funds for Northern Spark and celebrate the arts.
INSIDER INFO: DJ Sarah White, a “Dining in the Dark” experience with chef Arich Miech, plus food from Crooked Ale, Mercy, Hyacinth, Parallel, Mill Valley Kitchen, Rain Ate My Cake, and more. Learn more.


Sizzling St. Paul Jazz

WHAT: The 20th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival  
WHEN: June 21-23; 7:30 p.m., Thursday; 4 p.m., Friday; 2 p.m., Saturday 
WHERE: In and around Mears Park, Lowertown, the Depot in St. Paul. (Print out free ride pass for metro transit buses and metro lines.)
WHY: To showcase jazz musicians and add to our summer pleasures—and all free!
INSIDER INFO: Headliner is Grammy-winning vocalist DeeDee Bridgewater, New Orleans artist Nayo Jones, saxophonists Tia Filler and Houston Person, and more. Learn more.


Check back each month for Sue Z.’s picks for philanthropic food events

Sue Zelickson (Sue Z.) is a James Beard Award-winning food media personality, philanthropist, and longtime contributor to Minnesota Monthly and WCCO radio. She has founded the Charlie Awards, the Women Who Really Cook networking organization for women in the local food industry, and the Kids Cafe at Perspectives, Inc., which improves access to nutritious meals for families in need. You can find her buzzing around from event to event throughout the Twin Cities, helping to raise funds for charitable organizations, including some she has had a hand in building.