Front Burner

HOLIDAY DINNERS: Circa 1886 at the Wentworth Mansion is hosting its annual "A Charleston Holiday" Progressive Dinner and Dickens Dinner on select nights this month. Progressive dinners include carriage rides and hors d'oeuvres at Kings Courtyard Inn, dinner at Circa 1886 and dessert at the John Rutledge House Inn. The dinners begin at 5:30 p.m. and are offered Dec. 4-6, 8, 10-13, 15, 17-20, 22 and 23. $95, including tax and gratuity, but no beverages. The Dickens Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. It includes a retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" by Tim Lowry during a four-course dinner. $70 excluding tax, gratuity and beverages. For reservations, call 853-7828 or visit circa1886.com.

ANNIVERSARY EVENT: Slightly North of Broad celebrates its 15th anniversary Tuesday with special offerings at lunch and dinner. They include a $35 special prix fixe dinner menu, complimentary bottle of wine for every dinner reservation; complimentary birthday cake during lunch and half-price champagne. Call 723-3424 or visit mavericksouthernkitchens.com.

WINE, FOOD EXPO: Wine Under the Oaks, a holiday wine, food and gift expo, will be noon- 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Boone Hall Plantation, 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant. Live music, tastings of wine and gourmet foods, holiday gifts for purchase and a silent auction. Auction proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event. For advance tickets, visit boonehallplantation.com.

CULINARY LEGENDS: Applications are available for the annual Culinary Legends Award Program as part of the 2009 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival. The competition honors one organization and three individuals who have excelled in Charleston's culinary community or have contributed significantly to Lowcountry cuisine. Honorees will be chosen in four categories: high school student; college student; adult individual who is a past or present resident of the area and does not need to be in the culinary field currently; and locally based organization or group. The process is open to the public, and self-nomination is permitted. Applications must be submitted to the festival office by Jan. 30. Visit charlestonfoodandwine.com to download the application or e-mail info@charlestonfoodandwine.com.

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS: The BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival is recruiting more than 150 volunteers who can run and assist with the production of the four-day event March 5-8. Details and applications are available online at charlestonfoodandwine.com. Click "About the Festival/Volunteer." E-mail volunteers@charlestonfoodandwine.com or call 727-9998, ext. 4.

Submit items for Front Burner to food@postandcourier.com; fax to 937-5579; or mail to Teresa Taylor, Food Editor, The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, SC 29403. The deadline is noon Friday for publication in the following