Agenda: 4/18 to 4/24

FEATURED EVENT

Battle of the Briskets
The New Shul will play host to this brisket showdown, which features a "Golden Schmaltz Award" presented to the top dish (the judges include Gail Simmons of Food & Wine and "Top Chef," Joel Siegel of ABC News, and food writer Ed Levine. The beefy banquet, benefiting the New Shul, takes place on Sunday, April 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, 519 Hudson Street. $100/person (RSVP to info@newshul.org).

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Insatiable
New York magazine restaurant critic Gael Greene will discuss her memoir, Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess, on Thursday. April 19, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Makor, Steinhardt Building, 35 West 67th Street. $16/person (212.601.1000).

America Eats
The Culinary Historians of New York will host a forum on American food culture during the Depression and World War II, inspired by the WPA's “America Eats” project which sent writers and photographers to document community eating in America, at the Institute of Culinary Education. 50 West 23rd Street, 6th Floor, on Saturday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. to  4:00 p.m. $75/person (212.673.6905).

School Food
The Baum Forum will present a conference on food and gardening in the schools on Saturday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Teachers College, Columbia University, Broadway and 120th Street. $65/person, advance registration required (800.838.3006).

Birthday Bubbles
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Balthazar Restaurant (80 Spring Street) will be serving free Champagne all day on Monday, April 23 (212.965.1414).

Dandelions for Dinner
The American Museum of Natural History will present a discussion of the natural and cultural history of the dandelion -- including recipes and a tasting of dishes made with the flowers -- on Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 p.m., at the Wallach Orientation Center, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street. $20/person (reserve online).

Toast to the Children
The Children of Bellevue, an organization serving pediatric patients at Bellevue Hospital Center, will present its 11th Annual "Toast to the Children" tasting event featuring wine and food from A Voce, Buddakan, Craft, and Hearth, among other restaurants, on Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 p.m., at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Ballroom, 80 Columbus Circle. $225/person (reserve online).

Image: New Shul.