Rick Bayless to Visit Palo Alto

Meet Rick Bayless, Chicago chef extraordinaire, Mexican cuisine authority, and winner of the first season of “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo TV, in Palo Alto, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 16.

Bayless, who recently cooked for the first time for the First Family at the White House, will talk about his culinary philosophy and share a few of his delectable dishes from his new cookbook, “Fiesta at Rick’s” (W.W. Norton & Co.) at a reception at Reposado restaurant in downtown Palo Alto.

Tickets are $95 per person (which includes a copy of his cookbook) or $160 per couple (which includes one copy of the book).

Dinner with Alice Waters in Marin County

Join Alice Waters of Berkeley’s Chez Panisse in a conversation with Davia Nelson, NPR producer of “The Kitchen Sisters” and author of “Hidden Kitchens, Stories, Recipes and More From NPR’s Kitchen Sisters” (Rodale Books), 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at Toby’s Feed Barn, 11250 Highway One, Point Reyes Station.

Together, they’ll talk about how to create a “green kitchen,” which is the title of Waters’ new book, “In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn by Heart” (Clarkson Potter).

A dinner buffet, created by Osteria Stellina, is included, which will feature pasture-raised goat braised in cinnamon and red wine; almond-wood grilled chicken; and berry and honey tarts.

Tickets are $25, and includes dinner, a glass of wine or beer, tax, and gratuity.

Free Book-Signing Event in San Jose’s Japantown

Hukilau restaurant in San Jose will host a free event, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7 with Arnold Hiura, who has co-written books with some of Hawaii’s most notable chefs, including Sam Choy and Alan Wong.

Hiura’s newest book is “Kau Kau: Cuisine & Culture in the Hawaiian Islands” (Watermark), which is all about the myriad of foods brought to Hawaii by immigrant laborers from Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, China and the Philippines.

Light refreshments will be served at the event. If you can’t make it to the event, but would like to reserve a copy of the book, calling Nikkei Traditions at (408) 297-7554.

Got a Visa Signature Card?

Then, you can save more than 20 percent off of ticket prices to the ”SF Chefs 2010” cavalcade of events, Aug. 13-15, in Union Square in San Francisco.

Some of the other perks you’ll get include preferred seating at certain events, as well as access to “Visa Signature Exclusive Restrooms.” Yeah, beats your basic port a potty, doesn’t it? Let’s hope so!

SF Chefs 2010 will bring together a bevy of chefs, sommeliers and mixologists for events that include wine seminars, chefs’ cooking challenges, cooking demos, and a huge grand tasting tent.

Participating chefs include Sarah Burchard of Barbacco in San Francisco; Tyler Florence of Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco; Mourad Lahlou of Aziza in San Francisco; Nancy Oakes of Boulevard in San Francisco; and many, many more.

General admission ticket prices range from $20 to $125. For information on Visa Signature discounts, click here.