Okay, this is not the best time of year to visit Houston -- since the high temperatures are a rounding error away from 100 degrees during the summer -- but start making your plans now for a food-focused visit this Fall, after the heat and threat of hurricanes have passed.

Why? It's a top-notch food scene that includes everything from BBQ shacks to the most sophisticated fine dining. It's still greatly underrated on the national scene, but the prices are generally affordable and the snob factor is basically nonexistent.

From culinary classes to creative cocktails, check out my picks for can't-miss culinary experiences in Houston, including:

• "Chef for a Day" cooking class at Brennan's of Houston
• A tour of Houston's "Chinatown", which is more of a misnomer here than the term usually is.
• All about Texas BBQ, and where to find the best in Houston.
• Saint Arnold, a craft beer distillery that turns a brewery tour into a day-long party.

Looking for an excuse to plan a trip to Paris? Here are a few:

• Super swank hotel Le Meurice is offering a "Parisian Package",  that includes several culinary perks, including a champagne toast on arrival and dinner for two at restaurant Le Dali, helmed by three-Michelin star Chef Yannick Alleno. That's in addition to a few goodies of the non-foodie variety (including two manicures at the spa), and the rate is 805 Euro/night, double occupancy. The package runs through December 31st, 2011,   but you can't book it online. Call for details: +33 1 44 58 10 09.
• On the more affordable side of things, Radisson Blu Le Dokhan's hotel, home to the city's first champagne bar, and its sister property Le Metropolitan are offering 10% off of all three-night stays that include a Saturday. Rates start at 201 Euro/night, and the offer runs through through August 31, 2011.
• In other Paris hotel news, Hotel le Bristol has a very handy blog run by its oh-so-in-the-know concierge team. The restaurant section is worth checking out for splurge meals while you're in town. Each post is written in French and in English, so scroll down until you see words you can parse.

This Independence Day, celebrate with fireworks -- in your mouth.

Head to Nashville for what's become an annual event: the Music City Hot Chicken Festival. The 2011 edition is free, as it has always been. In addition to tastes from the city's leading purveyor of fiery hot fried chicken,  there's an amateur cooking contest -- expect to see heightened stakes since hot chicken was just featured on Man v. Food.  The event goes from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., on July 4th at Nashville's East Park. Details here.

• What's hot chicken? All you need to know.
• Will travel for junk food? The Travel Channel's Man v. Food
• More July 2011 culinary events

I just got back from BBQ University at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs.  It was three fantastic days -- mornings were occupied with learning the ways of the grill, and afternoons dedicated to enjoying all the resort has to offer. I've yet to unpack my suitcase, which is laden with my official BBQ U apron, baseball hat, meat thermometer, recipes, class photos and more, but since I noticed that many of the participants were at the class thanks to a Father's Day present, I thought I'd share a few highlights forthwith, along with a super-secret piece of information about next year's class:

• Grilling gadget heaven: there were more than thirty (that's 3-0) different grills set up for this class, gas, charcoal, wood pellet, kamodo. Most participants have more than one grill at home, and it is beyond any reasonable doubt that the BBQ U experience will encourage that backyard collection to increase. Additionally, instructor Steven Raichlen demo'd all sorts of other grilling gizmos, from baskets to a beer can chicken roasting set.
• Unlikely recipes, enormous variety: Over three days, the class made 25 recipes, including some you wouldn't think to make on a grill -- a gazpacho soup, salad niçoise -- and some using implements you might not have thought of for grilling, including cedar paper (for a cedar-wrapped salmon), and a regular ol' garden shovel, which was used for roasting lamb. (!)
• Off the Heat: BBQ U sessions ended with lunch, which left the afternoon and the evening free for additional exploration at The Broadmoor. Happily, this historic resort has a completely modern and comprehensive spa, where BBQ U participants and their spouses  were spotted enjoying everything from facials to couple's massages. The co-ed relaxation lounge faces Cheyenne Mountain, one of the nicest mountain views I've seen in a spa anywhere. Another way to enjoy the view is at dinner at the resort's Penrose Room, especially at the Chef's Table, which features celebrated chef Bertrand Bouquin's tasting menu. Even after all the 'cue, it was still hard not to lick the plate that held Hudson Valley foie gras, port and black peppercorn gelée, rhubarb confit with thyme, and roasted almond milk.

And now for the super-secret info! Although the dates for BBQ U 2012 have not yet been officially announced, I learned that the two sessions are set for June 6th-12th 2012.  You can't book online until August, but you can use that old-fashioned telephone device and call to book after the second week of July. (719.577.5775 or 866.837.9520)

The classes are limited to 55 and often sell out, with wait lists. So if you're thinking of getting your dad a BBQ U gift certificate mark your calendar for the second week of July and you'll have a good chance of getting him in for the 2012 sessions.