Win Tix to Taste of the Nation; Higgins's Beard Dinners

EATER CONTESTS— The 2014 edition of well-intentioned gorgefest Taste of the Nation will take over the Crystal Ballroom on Tuesday, April 29, with more than 20 restaurants and 25+ wineries, breweries, and distillers joining forces to serve a feast benefiting anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Tickets are now available online, but Eater has a pair of general admission passes to giveaway right now: Simply e-mail the contest hotline with your favorite childhood food item in the subject hed (this year's TotN theme, after all, is "What My Family Ate"). We'll select one winner, at random, on Monday, April 21. [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN— The spring installment of chef Greg Higgins' seasonal fundraisers for the James Beard Public Market has been announced. Higgins' "Spring Tribute" menu will be available from April 29 through May 1, offering five courses featuring Beard's own recipes for dishes like salmon with Dungeness Crab, bay shrimp, and applewood smoked bacon. Reservations are $125, with proceeds benefiting the long-stewing Public Market. [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN— Top Chef alum Dave Martin (who appeared on the first season of the Bravo reality show) will cook a guest meal at downtown's Bistro Marquee on Wednesday, April 23. The five-course dinner features courses like turducken meatballs, root beer-braised pork shoulder, and a Meyer lemon crème fraiche panna cotta. Reservations are $90 (with an optional $20 wine pairing) and are available by calling 503-208-2889. [EaterWire]