Quick Bites: Bacon waffles, pie party and…USA! USA!

In announcing the 2017 finalists for The Good Food Awards, The Good Food Foundation offers some potent prose:

"They exemplify all that is right from coast to coast: our proud immigrant history, stewardship of a rich and fertile agricultural landscape, a spirit of innovation and the daily choice to balance personal gain with the wellbeing of the commons."

Some 291 finalists emerged from 2,059 entries all vetted for environmentally sound agriculture practices, good animal husbandry, sourcing transparency and responsible relationships throughout the supply chain.

The list reads like food nerd poetry—from Firestone Walker Brewing Company Feral One beer to 1732 Meats lamb prosciutto to il Porcellino smoked head cheese.

California reps hard, with scores of finalists across 13 categories like honey, fish, pickles, oils, preserves and chocolate.

The 200 Good Food Award Winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at a gala at the historic Herbst Theater in the San Francisco War Memorial, on the same stage where the United Nations charter was signed.

Medals will go to chef and activist Alice Waters and organics pioneer Nell Newman.

Saturday, Jan. 21, the festival pavilion at Fort Mason Center will transform into the Good Food Mercantile, where winners and members of the Good Food Merchants Guild exhibit their wares to 600 industry buyers and media ($35 tickets, open only to the trade).

The Good Food Awards Marketplace ($5, www.goodfoodawards.org) rounds out the weekend 9am-2pm Sunday, Jan. 22 with all the winners, and a chance to taste and buy their prize-worthy food and drink (including—oh yes—beer, cider and spirits not licensed for sale in California, but permitted for sale within the federally-owned historic landmark of Fort Mason Center).

More food news briefs appears here:

• Fresh off a triumphant reboot, Big Sur Food & Wine is already planning pop-up events in the new year.

• Chef-owner Bhupender Singh is awaiting final inspections and estimates Aabha Indian will soft open in The Barnyard Carmel by the end of this month or the first week of December, in the former Bahama Billy's.

• Some Carmel dog owners tell me the chicken strips from the dog menu at Forge in the Forest (624-2233) are so good staff have recommended them for humans.

• Sweet Elena’s (393-2063) hosts a fall pie tasting on noon-4pm Saturday, Nov. 19: $7 for a tasting of six different pies.

• Ratel Cider's second batch release party happens at Melville Tavern 5:30-7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 26. Partygoers enjoy a complimentary glass, small bites, raffle prizes and giveaways.

• Arguably the best wine tasting of the season happens 2-4:30pm Saturday, Nov. 19, at Fifi’s, with dozens of wines at great price points ($25, RSVP required to 372-5325). Beaujolais Nouveau release dinner Thursday, Nov. 17, too ($45 includes three courses and half-bottle of wine).

• Trio Carmel and owner Karl Empey host a paella-winetasting party with Jerome Viel on the food and Pelerin and Mesa Del Sol on the vino 6-8pm Friday, Nov. 18, at Patricia Qualls Art Studio ($25, RSVP at www.triocarmel.com), to celebrate the new exhibit.

• The menu at brand new Lovers Point Beach Cafe (now open 9am-4pm) includes items like bacon-Belgian waffles ($7.75), strawberry-banana açai bowls ($9.90) and the cheesy green goddess panini with provolone, havarti and goat cheese avocado spread ($7.90).

• ICYMI: Solid arts benefit coalescing at Joyce Vineyards' Carmel Valley Road tasting room (before it moves up Carmel Valley Road)…music from two-time world champ DJ Vinroc, sharp art from five edgy creatives, Joyce wine, Alvarado Street Brewery beer, Poke Lab and Nacho Bizness snacks (to buy), happening 7-10pm Saturday, Nov. 19. It's free admission; a donation to Youth Arts Collective Monterey gets you a glass.

• Flavors of Pacific Grove has another robust lineup of restaurants—with 15 including Passionfish, Fandango and Crema—and a new venue, Asilomar Conference Grounds at 5:30-8:30pm Saturday, Nov. 19 ($50, www.pacificgrove.org/events).