Call for gingerbread houses

Norway House's Gingerbread Wonderland is returning for its second year and is asking you to contribute. Based on a tradition in Bergen, Norway, a Gingerbread Wonderland includes creations made by professional pastry chefs, amateur bakers, children and families. You can make a traditional gingerbread house or model one after Twin Cities buildings. Drop off your creation Nov. 8-18 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Norway House, 913 E. Franklin Av. in Minneapolis. The exhibit will be in place Nov. 22-Jan. 8. Last year, more than 4,000 people viewed more than 100 gingerbread contributions. To learn more, e-mail ­ rachel@norwayhouse.org.

Congrats to our state's brewers

Five Minnesota craft breweries were honored this month at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, considered the nation's premier beer festival and competition. They competed against 7,227 beer entries from 1,752 breweries nationwide.

Minnesota breweries earning gold medals were Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul for its Extra Pale Ale in the Classic English-Style Pale Ale category, and Surly Brewing Co. in Brooklyn Center for its Barrel-Aged Darkness in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout category.

Earning bronze medals were Bemidji Brewing Co., Bemidji, for its German Blonde Ale in the Golden or Blonde Ale category; Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter, for Vengeance Jalapeño Cream Ale in the Chili Beer category, and Roundhouse Brewery, Brainerd, for Runaround Rye Ale in the Rye Beer category.

Sa-Wheat-Dee Thai beer debuts

Speaking of beer, Sawatdee's four Thai restaurant locations are unveiling a new Thai beer created for them by the Tin Whiskers brewery in St. Paul. It's named Sa-Wheat-Dee and will be featured during Oktoberfest activities through Oct. 30.

Charlie Hot Topics, Round 3

The third and final Charlie Awards Hot Topics panel discussion will be about the business of food and drink, with panelists discussing issues that affect a business' bottom line, whether you run a restaurant, food truck, brewery or distillery. Moderator Andrea Christenson is vice president at Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Real Estate. Panelists are Noah Barton, General Mills executive chef; Dan McElroy, executive director of the Minnesota Restaurant Association; Pete Mihajlov, founding partner of Parasole Restaurant Holdings Inc., and Stephanie Shimp, co-owner of Blue Plate Restaurant Co. The event is Oct. 25 at General Mills headquarters' auditorium, 1 General Mills Blvd., Golden Valley. The 6:30 p.m. panel follows a 5:30 p.m. happy hour. This event is free, but reservations are required at CharliesExceptionale@gmail.com.

The sixth annual Charlie Awards will be held Nov. 13 at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Tell us your lutefisk plans

We'd wager that the Star Tribune is the only major newspaper to have a compilation of lutefisk dinners in its fall food calendar. And we'd like to make it as complete as possible. If you have an upcoming dinner for the public, please let us know at taste@startribune.com or Taste, Star Tribune, 650 3rd Av. S., Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55488.

We now announce the first event we know of: the Norwegian lutefisk supper and bake sale at Christiania Lutheran Church in Lakeville (26691 Pillsbury Av.) on Oct. 29. There will be meatballs, too, along with lefse and more. Seatings are at 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for ages 10 and under. To buy tickets, call the church at 952-461-2283 Monday-Thursday.

KIM ODE