Pencil This In

Food
The Chopping Block hosts a battle of the reality show chefs tonight as Hell's Kitchen's Rock Harper takes on Top Chef: Chicago champ Stephanie Izard. We spoke with Rock at Gourmet Chicago over the weekend and he said it looks to be an Iron Chef-style challenge. Proceeds benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository.
6 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Chopping Block at The Merchandise Mart, $125, Call 312-644-6360 for more info

Drink
Monday blues got you down? Once the doors to the office are good and locked for the night, grab a coworker and commiserate over a drink and free hors d’oeuvres at N9NE Steakhouse.
5 p.m. - 7 p.m., 440 W Randolph

Lectures
Add environmental conservation to the list of issues in which you could totally school Sarah Palin: the Goethe-Institut Chicago hosts a lecture tonight on sustainable consumption and the feasibility of change by way of individual practice. Could be hopeful and empowering, could be way depressing; either way, definitely relevant.
6 p.m., 150 N. Michigan Avenue, Free