Meet Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and participate in a mini-burger eating contest at a Labor Day football kick-off party and barbecue from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at Quarterdeck Seafood Bar and Neighborhood Grill, 1430 Alton Rd., Miami Beach.

Advance registration is required for the burger-eating contest, with the winner taking home $500. There also will be a drawing for a pair of tickets to the Dolphins' opening game Sept. 7 with the New York Jets. The Miami Beach Police Athletic League, meanwhile, will be selling raffle tickets for an Impala muscle car owned by Silence of the Lambs author Thomas Harris.

Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks, draft beer and La Caja China-roasted pig will be available to purchase; 305-521-2441.

FIZZY DINNER

Hired by the 7-Up company to use the soda in recipes, Hi-Life Café Chef Carlos Fernandez, who competed on the second season of the Bravo! reality show Top Chef, is ready to share the results. He's presenting the recipes as part of a five-course (plus hors d'oeuvres) wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Dishes include lemon and lime risotto, cumin-dusted pork tenderloin, New York strip steak and, not surprisingly, 7-Up cake. The café is at Plaza 3000, 3000 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-563-1395 or chuck@hilife cafe.com for reservations.

-- ROCHELLE KOFF

In the mood for something tonier? The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, 19999 W. Country Club Dr., Aventura, hosts the American Institute of Wine and Food's traditional end-of-summer sand bake from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday at its Laguna Pool.

Turnberry executive chef Hubert Des Marais will be joined in the kitchen by the resort's executive pastry chef, Sally Camacho, David Mullen (Boubon Steak) Allen Susser (Chef Allen's) Norman Van Aken (Norman's at The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando) Dewey LoSasso (North One 10) Sean O'Connell (Fontainebleau Miami Beach) and Tim Andriola (Timo).

The casual, multicourse feast, along with tropical drinks, is $85 plus tax, tip and valet parking. All proceeds go to scholarships for South Florida culinary students. Reservations are required at 305-663-9641 or 954-962-6772.

RECESSION RELIEF

The Icebox Cafe, 1657 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach, has a ''Recession Cruncher'' dinner menu available Sunday through Thursday until Sept. 30 that features $15 entrees such as chicken paillard provenzale, tofu and vegetable tempura and vegetable skewers. On Sept. 10, the café hosts a five-course, Asian-inspired dinner featuring boutique wineries from California and Australia. Cost is $65; reserve at 786-201-3505.

LAST CALL

Shula's Steak House, 7601 Miami Lakes Dr., Miami Lakes, is hosting a cigar and wine party at 7 p.m. Friday just before it closes for a two-month renovation. Guests can win mementos and enter raffles. The five-course meal costs $120. Reserve a seat at 305-820-8138.

KOSHER KITCHENS

Aventura's Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, in partnership with Steve Greenseid Catering of Coral Springs, will have its first fully operational kosher kitchen in time for the Jewish High Holy Days in late September. Kosher events where meat is served will be glatt kosher, according to an announcement, and dairy events will also be available; 305-933-6902.

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