Photos by Daniel Krieger

The Feed was on the scene for last night’s Bocuse d’Or/Top Chef viewing party at the Astor Center. Click through the slide show to see shots of Padma’s boobs Padma Lakshmi, Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Gavin Kaysen, Paul Liebrandt and more.

It’s a rough week for four-legged fleecy types, but don’t let that stop you from flocking to this book party and cooking demo for Michael Psilakis’s How to Roast a Lamb. Feast on five dishes from the book, all paired with Greek wines from the Anthos cellar. Fans can get face time at a Q&A session and book signing (a copy is included with cost of entry) after the dinner. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenter.com). 6:30–8:30pm, $85.

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Madoff’’s not the only one cooking the books. Recipe site Food52 has invited culinary celebs like Nora Ephron to test 16 of the year’s top cookbooks. It’ll announce the best volumes (contenders include Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc) at the event, which features snacks from the tomes. Aspiring food scribes should also check out the panel with Saveur cofounder Christopher Hirsheimer. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6:30–9:30pm, $45.

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Cuisine of Alsace
Learn to make Alsatian staples like kugelhopf (a light, yeasty cake) and choucroute garnie, then consume them alongside crisp rieslings and gewürztraminers at this tasting and hands-on class devoted to the region. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6–9pm, $125.

William Grimes at Tenement Talks
Ever wonder what New Yorkers ate pre-Chang? (The horror!) Visit the Tenement Museum to hear from another former Times dining critic, William Grimes. The writer will wax historical on the evolution of New York restaurants—the subject of his new book, Appetite City. FREE The Tenement Museum, 108 Orchard St between Broome and Delancey Sts (R.S.V.P. to events@tenement.org). 6:30pm.

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Brooklyn Cheese Experiment
Dairyphiles, check out this cheese smackdown, featuring the stylings of up to 20 amateur chefs. You still have time to submit your own fromage-based masterpiece (bring enough to serve 300 guests). A panel that includes Iron Chef judge Andrew Knowlton will weigh in, and the audience-choice winner scores a prize from Murray’s Cheese. The Bell House, 149 7th St between Second and Third Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn (thefoodexperiments.com). 1–7pm; advance $20, day of event $25. After-party $5.

Deconstructing Beer
In conjunction with Craft Beer Week, Astor Center presents a tasting series highlighting the most important ingredients in your pint: yeast and hops. Breweries like Sly Fox will present their wares and discuss home-brewing. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St (astorcenternyc.com). Each event $55, with Craft Beer Week passport $45. Sun 13, Mon 14, Sept 18.

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WLIW21 Autumn Gourmet Classic
Local TV station WLIW21 hosts this benefit tasting. Eleven eateries and wineries from New York and beyond will offer dishes like cured salmon from the French Culinary Institute and sliced meats from Di Palo’s. Guests can also get face time with PBS luminaries like Jacques Pepin and Lidia Bastianich, who will be demonstrating recipes and signing cookbooks. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St, second floor (800-767-2121, wliw.org). 6–9pm; $250, two tickets $450.

Punjabi Book Launch
Food writer Veronica “Rani” Sidhu had to move to India to find authentic Punjabi food—but all you have to do is attend her cookbook launch at the Rubin Museum. Rani will talk about Indian food culture while guests snack on samples from her recipes. Come early at 6pm, when Rubin reps will be leading a private food-themed tour of their galleries. Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W 17th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-620-5000, rmanyc.org). 7–8:30pm; $12.

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That's some pour! (Photo: Lizz Kuehl)

Announced today: Tickets to the seminars, hoedowns and demonstrations that make up Lesley Townsend’s bookish booze bacchanal go on sale Monday at 7:33pm. (Are we supposed to know the significance of this hour? Might it have something to do with, hm, the repeal of Prohibition?) The talent is multiple—all the usual suspects that you’d want to see (Philip Ward, Julie Reiner, David Wondrich, etc., etc.) will be participating in the weekend fest. Check out the bill of fare here. Save the dates (October 3 and 4)—because New York really does deserve its own version of Tales of the Cocktail. And commuting to the Astor Center is much easier than flying down to NOLA.

Related: Eff you, NOLA: The Manhattan Cocktail Classic is coming soon

Ice Cream, from Sugar and Snow
Ice cream is the focus at this sweet symposium cohosted by milk lovers’ blog the Dairy Show. Jeri Quinzio, author of Of Sugar and Snow: A History of Ice Cream Making, will chronicle the treat through the ages, and Ben Van Leeuwen (of the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck) will discuss his own product. The cherry on top: an ice-cream-social after-party, featuring Van Leeuwen flavors and toppings. Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St, second floor (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6:30–8:30pm, $45.

Dick Swizzle Variety Night
Break out your bell-bottoms for this 1970s-style trivia night, complete with three-buck booze, prizes and a singing host named Dick Swizzle. Smarties can sign up to compete for $250 in rounds of sudden-death Jeopardy!, while the rest of the room can win other prizes on the “Make-a-Deal wheel.” For the first hour, Buds and crab dumplings are on the house. The Bell House, 149 7th St between Second and Third Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com). 8–11pm. $5.

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A veritable cornucopia of food events await you tonight, even for those who can’t let go of mother’s apron strings:

Greenmarket Mixology
If your cocktail could use a shot of flower power, check out this tasting with master mixer Allen Katz. He’ll demonstrate locally inspired cocktail recipes while the class sips his concoctions. If you wish, gather ingredients with Katz at the Union Square Greenmarket at 8:30am that morning (visit slowfoodnyc.org for more info). Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St at 4th St, second floor (212-674-7501, astorcenternyc.com). 6:30–8:30pm, $65. Read more »

Inside Astor Center's "study"

Seems folks can’t get enough of the East Village food-and-beverage education loft, Astor Center. The space—which opened to huge press attention in 2007—is taking on an adjacent 2,805-square-foot addition (industry types will recognize this as a former Serafina location). The expanded area will feature a bar, demo kitchen and plenty of legroom. This “lounge” (as it has been christened) will host visiting bartenders and chefs for evening- or weekend-long pop-up stints. Read more »