Flavors of Kentucky

Edward Hogg has had several businesses at 464 Wilson Avenue in Versailles, including a car wash and a landscape business. Now he’s cooking barbecue.
At Smokin’ Hogg, “we do Texas-style barbecue in a Caribbean atmosphere,” Hogg said.
He grew up in Houston, and while attending Western Kentucky ­University spent a lot of time at Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q learning how to cook Western Kentucky-style barbecue. He has cooked barbecue “off and on for 30 years,” he said, and started catering about 10 years ago.
Hogg serves beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken, baby back ribs, spare ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs. He also makes Texas-style chili. Sides include baked beans and coleslaw, and he uses his mother’s recipe for potato salad.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (859) 351-9701 or go to Smokinhogg.com.

Special events

■ The second Bluegrass Food Blast will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the vacant lot at Main and Vine streets. The event, sponsored by the Bluegrass Food Truck Association, features mobile food vendors. Go to Bluegrassfoodtrucks.org.
■ Special events at Jonathan at Gratz Park sell out quickly, so you’ll want to make reservations right away for this dinner. Bill Samuels Jr., chairman ­emeritus of Maker’s Mark Distillery, will be a guest at a six-course bourbon ­dinner at 7 p.m. July 12. The cost is $85. The restaurant, at 120 West ­Second Street, will not have regular dinner service that evening. Call (859) 252-4949.
■ The Lafayette senior living ­community, 690 Mason Headley Road, is having a chef cook-off Thursday. The Five Star Chef Showcase will feature chefs from four senior communities: Robert Gilbert, The Lafayette; Clifford Strong, Ashwood Place in Frankfort; Linda Meoak, The Forum at ­Knightsbridge in Columbus, Ohio; and Alan Booze, Meadowood in ­Bloomington, Ind. Judges will include Mayor Jim Gray; Alan ­Lamoureux, ­culinary director for Bluegrass ­Hospitality Group; John Foster, culinary chair at Sullivan University; and Patrick Jones, executive chef at Merrick Inn. Call (859) 278-9080.
■ The Salvation Army is ­partnering with restaurants to expand this ­summer’s LemonAiD campaign. ­Restaurants will donate a portion of lemonade and iced tea sales from June 29 to July 31 to the Salvation Army to be used for operating expenses for children living in the emergency shelter. Restaurateurs who would like to ­participate may call Bruce Manor at  (859) 252-7706, Ext. 117.
■ Fazoli’s and Feed the Children are teaming for the Fazoli’s Breadstick Tour to raise awareness and money for ­childhood hunger.
Volunteers from Feed the Children will hand out bread sticks and flyers in downtown areas, neighborhood parks and at local events in 15 cities. The goal is to encourage people to make ­donations to Feed the Children at a ­participating Fazoli’s ­restaurant. In return, Fazoli’s will give them a coupon for $5 off any family meal purchase.
You may follow the tour online at Facebook.com/fazolis. It will be in Lexington through Sunday. Scheduled stops include downtown, Cheapside Park, Shillito Park, Fayette Mall and the Southland Park pool.
■ Logan’s Roadhouse is having a Wing It Chickin’ Dance Contest on ­Facebook. Logan’s is asking ­customers to perform their best and most ­entertaining dance moves, ­choreographed to a version of The Chicken Dance. Five winners will receive free wings for an entire year. Go to On.fb.me/M1rtux.
■ Former football star Babe Parilli, author of Kentucky Babe, will sign ­copies of his book from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Casanova Italian Restaurant, 855 South Broadway. The book is $24.95; customers who buy the book will receive a $20 gift certificate to ­Casanova. Parilli is the cousin of ­Casanova owner Leo Capezzuto. Call (859) 309-3313 or go to Casanovaky.com.

Announcements

■ Martine’s Pastries is providing ­desserts for the menu at D’Italia, 128 East New Circle Road. Included are tiramisu, chocolate bombe cake, peanut butter pie and pistachio cake. Call (859) 244-8995 or go to Ditaliacuisine.com. Martine’s is at 1039 Industry Road. Call (859) 231-9110  or go to Martinespastries.com.
■ Natasha’s Bistro & Bar, 112 ­Esplanade, has installed two awnings that protect the front patio and the back Alley Bar. Patios are open whenever the restaurant is open. Farmers market brunch is served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ­Saturday and Sunday. Call (859) 259-2754 or go to Beetnik.com.
■ Three Suns Bistro has a new ­summer menu that includes duck ­quesadilla with corn and black bean salsa; cypress chicken with olives, ­artichoke hearts, tomatoes and feta cheese; roasted salmon; and shrimp and mussels in a tomato basil broth. The bistro is at 298 East Brannon Road, in Brannon Crossing. Call (859) 245-0048.

Farmers market report

■ Corn is in at Bluegrass Farmers’ Market, 3450 Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ­Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. The Willow Oak ­­­ ­location is at 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot for Willow Oak Pool. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.