Tales of the Cocktail Preview; Sydney's Ultimate Dinner

NEW ORLEANS— The annual Tales of the Cocktail celebration kicks off next Wednesday, July 17, and Eater NOLA has an epic rundown of all the events — broken down into the stuff's that educational, just plain boozy, or even better, totally free (like an Imbibe Magazine Happy Hour and the 4th Annual Pig & Punch). [Eater NOLA]

SYDNEY— Australian chef Neil Perry has announced the all-star line-up for his annual "Ultimate" charity dinner in September: Heston Blumenthal, Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Ben Shewry, and Brett Graham. The event raises funds for the Starlight Children's Foundation; since the dinner's inception in 2003, they've raised more than $1 million for charity. [Fine Dining Lovers]

LOUISVILLE— The traveling pork orgy known as Cochon 555 will host an all-barbecue battle in its upcoming Louisville competition, scheduled for September 8. Edward Lee and Kevin Ashworth, Coby Lee Ming, Tyler Morris, Annie Pettry, and Levon Wallace will offer their nose-to-tail interpretations of barbecue — including two mandatory side dishes — at the event. [Eater Louisville]

[Photo: TOTC/Facebook]