OkTigerFest & Oktoberfest; Chef Showdown Thursday; Swami's Cafe Expands

NORTH PARK— Tiger!Tiger! is rolling out OkTigerFest, their version of Oktoberfest, this weekend with a celebration that kicks off on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.; keeper steins can be refilled with Automatic Brewing Co.'s AutoBiersch, a collab with Gordon Biersch. The kitchen's making baguette sandwiches with house made bratwurst, sauerkraut and mustard, plus fresh pretzels, potato pancakes, beer cheese and more. [Facebook]

RANCHO SANTA FE— Mille Fleurs' chef Martin Woesle is honoring his homeland with an Oktoberfest menu that debuts on Tuesday, September 24 and continues through October. Among the traditional treats are Schwarzbier-braised pork shank, suckling pig head cheese, pickled herring and cheese spätzle, paired with German wine and beer. [EaterWire]

LIBERTY STATION— Next Thursday is Chef Showdown 2013, the annual competition in which teams of local chefs battle in a live cooking contest to create the best dishes. Tickets are still available for the September 26, which supports the Center for Community Solutions. Participating restaurants include The Marine Room, Herringbone, Baleen, CUCINA urbana, George's at the Cove and Kitchen 1540. [EaterWire]

ESCONDIDO— The U-T reports that Swami's Cafe, a family owned chain with four area locations, soft opened a new outpost in Escondido today 150 W. Grand. [U-T]