Man cannot live by ordinary restaurant meals alone. He requires cooking classes, charity dinners and anniversary parties. Here is his essential list for this week.

If dining events aren't enough, he can consult a complete list of things to do in music, entertainment and the arts.

Thursday, October 25

2012 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Dallas
This annual dine-around returns under the supervision of chef Kent Rathbun from Abacus. He's joined by 20 area chefs, including Jeff Harris from Bolsa, Jason Czaja from Shinsei and Gilbert Garza from Suze, who present signature dishes to raise money for the March of Dimes. Rathbun is this year's honoree, as he has been involved with this event for the past 15 years.

Opening Preview Gala of Stampede 66
Of all the run-ups, this is the most deluxe option marking the new restaurant from celebrity chef Stephan Pyles, located in the Park Seventeen building at 1717 McKinney Ave. Enjoy Texas bites and Texas wine, beer and spirits, as well as live entertainment by Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys Band. For information, call 214-526-3848.

Friday, October 26

Go Oak Cliff Blues Bandits & BBQ
This event is back for its third year, taking place October 26-27 at 715 W. Davis St. in north Oak Cliff, just blocks from the Bishop Arts District. The event includes a barbecue competition, beer garden with beer from Four Corners Brewery, and kids' area with bounce house. On Friday night, there's live music and a cooking demo from chef Tim Byres of Smoke. Saturday afternoon is the big BBQ throwdown with 23 teams competing in five categories.

Saturday, October 27

2012 Downtown Plano Feast-ival
This is the second annual event in old downtown Plano, spotlighting food from local restaurants and culminating in a concert by Cas Haley. New this year: The Great Pumpkin Race, where visitors can decorate their own pumpkin, attach wheels to the bottom and enter it into a race down 15th Street.

Scardello Artisan Cheese 4th Anniversary Party
At this combination anniversary party and thank you to customers from Scardello owners Karen and Rich Rogers, look for "Cheesemonger’s Choice" cheese plates and $4 glasses of wine.

Sunday, October 28

Holiday Pie Baking Class
Chef Gail — the plant-based chef for meat lovers and vegetables haters — shares new healthy traditions for holiday baking with recipes for rum-spiked pumpkin pie cheesecake and Jack Daniels pecan pie with coconut whipped cream. Your family and friends will never guess that these makeovers are non-dairy, gluten-free and glorious. Come early for samples and recipes.

HPC Tasting of Classic Recipes
Highland Park Cafeteria opens its recipe vault to bring back some great old favorites and support Living Water International, a nonprofit organization working to help communities acquire clean water. Think deviled crab, Salisbury steak, baked turkey wings, rhubarb pie, Argentine perfection and more at a seated dinner served family-style. Cast your vote for the classic HPC recipes you want offered regularly at the cafeteria. Hear about how Highland Park Cafeteria is partnering with a local family to dig a water well for an entire Honduran village.