Quick Bites (16!): Post-fire party, pop-ups, awards and more.

Leave it to the community-minded Basil Seasonal Dining (626-8226) in Carmel to turn its own disaster—a bizarre wall-based kitchen fire—into an assist for others.

The pioneering place was the first in the area to earn the demanding green restaurant certification.

Earlier this year its co-owner/chef Soerke Peters scored a well-deserved nod as Chef of the Year from the Monterey Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, as voted by his peers, in large part thanks to his community service.

Now, after a grease fire that got into the walls claimed the kitchen during the busiest week of the year (Car Week), the reopening soiree is designed to raise money for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. 

Johan Sotelo and Shane Smit's live music, fresh-and-clever Basil eats, wines and local firefighters all happen 6-9pm Thursday, Sept. 24 ($65). 

More quick bites appear below:

• The Democratic Women of Monterey County host the Annual Feast for Sustainable Change Sunday, Sept. 27 at Willow Farm in Corral de Tierra in Salinas, www.dw-mc.org, 901-3179. Honored this year: Kay Cline for her leadership of Sustainable Seaside.

• Taste of Carmel (624-2522) is almost here, bringing a Caraccioli-Cantinetta Luca winemaker dinner ($135), food tours ($69) and the Oct. 1 gala ($80/advance), with dozens of wineries, 20+ top restaurants, live Money Band music and silent auction 6-9pm. http://tasteofcarmel.com.

• Hofsas House’s ($15, 624-2745) “Local’s Favorites Wine Fridays” benefits Peace of Mind Dog Rescue with Blair wines and small bites this Sept. 18.

• Salvadoreño-style eatery Pupuseria Marleny's officially opened in Oldtown Salinas Friday.

• Big Sur Food & Wine 2015 is cancelled. But there's good news, and a surprising video tribute.

• Monterey Bay Chef's Association invites guests to Toro Park to honor families, purveyors and friends for food, drinks and fun noon-4pm Sunday, Oct. 4 ($8/parking). http://montereybaychefs.org. 

• Carmel Belle (624-1600) and Yulanda Santos' latest Mabuhay Pop-up—5pm on, cash only, no reservations, takeout available—does hand-smashed noodles, spicy lamb, yakitori, sesame balls, steamed pork buns and more Tuesday, Sept. 22 ($4-14/cash only). http://carmelbelle.com.

• Bonus Belle: Rising pastry chef Eden Hutchinson anchors See You Next Tuesday Empanada Nights like tonight's (Tuesday, Sept. 15) and Sept. 29's ($8/two; cash only). 

• Monterey Regional Waste Management District (384-5313) demonstrates how to create and maintain a composting system at home using kitchen and yard waste 10-11:30am Saturday, Sept. 26 (free). http://mrwmd.org. 

• Trio Carmel (250-7714) continues their Wine Seminar Series with an illuminating presentation/tasting on the history of wine with Patrick Hunt, Stanford lecturer, archaeologist, world traveler and writer. Happens Friday, Oct. 9, but early-bird rate ($35) ends Sept. 18.

• Organic Heller Estate (659-6220) does a sculpture garden end-of-summer barbecue ($30-$35) 2-4pm Saturday, Sept. 19, with Good Time Catering slides (tri-tip, chicken and pulled pork), salad, fruit, desserts and, yes, lots of wine.

• Jacks Restaurant & Lounge in Portola Hotel earned a 2015 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Friday, Oct. 2, David Miner of Napa Valley's Miner Family Winery drops by for a five-course wine dinner (649-2698, $85).

• American Red Cross' 2015 Farm to Table Dinner (626-5255) happens at Carmel Valley Ranch with live jazz and a multi-course dinner with chefs Tim Wood and Todd Fisher and ends with a live auction 5:30-9pm Friday, Sept. 25 ($125). http://redcross.org/FarmtoTable.

• Rio Grill (625-5436) evolutions: Becky Ellis has been promoted to GM, Gabe De La Vega now plays wine manager and Cory Calder directs the bar. 

• Roy’s at The Inn at Spanish Bay hosts a lush Hawaiian luau Thursday, Sept. 24, with namesake Roy Yamaguchi, Hawaii’s first James Beard Award-winning chef, joining an insane spread of sushi, fusion eats, wine, the Ho’omana Hawaiian Band and Tahitian hula dancers (866-951-3466, $170).