Cooking for Justus
Brother Justus (3300 NE. 5th St., Mpls.) is celebrating both the season and Minnesota's rich food community at its Summer Feast on July 31 and tapped three local chefs to create a diverse menu, from roasted whole hog and pulled goat to a yucca fry bar.
Yia Vang of Vinai and Union Hmong Kitchen will feature a whole roasted hog, khao sen, Tiger Bite hot sauce and crunchy chile oil.
Jamal Hashi, the chef behind the former Safari Express and Jambo Kitchen, will have roasted whole goat, mini sour Somali anjera and Surbiyaan (a Somali rice dish), mango Kachumbari and Bizbaz sauce.
And chef Amalia Obermeier-Smith, formerly of Fig + Farro and now at Basil House, will add a yucca fry bar with toppings and sauces, grilled corn on the cob, a display of vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian summer salads and a dessert bar featuring cotton candy and s'mores.
Tickets are $60 for a four-hour window of feasting (drinks are separate). Seatings for the 21-plus event are from 2 to 6 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Get tickets at brotherjustus.com.
Cheesecake for a cause
Muddy Paws Cheesecake is celebrating National Cheesecake Day and its 28th anniversary by holding a special event on July 30 to raise money for STEP St. Louis Park.
There will be music, food and, of course, cheesecake from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 3359 Gorham Av., St. Louis Park. (Bring chairs, blankets and even the dog and make it a day!) Here's what to expect:
• Food. The Bad Rooster and Soul Lao food trucks will be on site from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.