Two great events are this weekend all centered around food. The annual 100 Black Men of Valdosta Barbecue Cook-Off is Saturday, featuring numerous local cooks offering their barbecue to the public and for judging. This evening, America’s Second Harvest presents its annual Empty Bowls event, featuring famed brothers Jamie and Bobby Deen, good food, and raising money to feed local children.

Last year, both events were held on the same weekend, too. Interviewing the Deens, authors of cookbooks, hosts of the Food Network’s “Road Tasted,” and famed sons of Paula Deen, they mentioned attending the 100 Black Men of Valdosta Barbecue Cook-Off last year the morning after their appearance at the Empty Bowls benefit.

And while both events are centered around food, entertainment and fun, their true missions are to help others.

The Barbecue Cookoff has raised money for SAT book distribution, college scholarships, mentoring and other programs for the area.

Empty Bowls raises money for America’s Second Harvest’s Kids Café program which feeds an average of more than 1,000 South Georgia children daily. Empty Bowls is the chief fund-raiser for Kids Café. As of Thursday, America’s Second Harvest had plenty of tickets left. Empty seats hopefully will not mean empty bowls for area youth.

• EMPTY BOWLS

Ambling Companies and America’s Second Harvest present the 2008 Empty Bowls fund-raiser.

When: 6-8 p.m. today.

Where: James H. Rainwater Conference Center, off Norman Drive.

Ticket: Minimum $40 per person.

Advanced reservations are suggested.

More information: Call 244-2678; or visit valdostafoodbank.org

The Deen brothers will also be available to sign their cookbooks following the event.

BARBECUE COOKOFF