It's chocolate time.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Frankfort Farmers Market will host "For the Love of Chocolate and Humanity," a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County.
There will be chocolate creations from area restaurants and chocolatiers -- all donated to the Habitat Chocolate Shoppe.
There will be Derby Bars from the Crescent Bakery, dark-chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats from Crystal Mountain Resort, chocolate truffles from Coho Cafe and more.
The market will be open an extra hour this week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Recreation Center, 9th and Main streets
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County call 399-0300 or e-mail hfhbenziecounty@charter.net.
---
Love will be celebrated in Leelanau County this weekend with "Taste the Passion."
Wineries will be serving their specialties as well as chocolate treats and savory dishes. The event also celebrates the beauty of winter; participants are encouraged to bring cameras.
Hours on Saturday are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at www.lpwines.com. There's also a list of participating wineries.
Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. there will be an art show hosted by the Glen Arbor Artists at the Homestead Resort's Mountain Flowers Lodge. Admission is $20 at the door, which includes two glasses of wine and small plates. Five dollars from every ticket goes to the Glen Arbor Artists scholarship and free after-school programs for students.
---
A bake sale Friday benefits the Women's Resource Center ... and will feature pies from "The Pie Lady" of Kingsley Eatery fame.
Other volunteer bakers are providing more pies, cakes, sticky buns, bread, muffins, cookies and more.
The sale will be at the Thrift Shop, 3030 N. U.S. 31 South in Traverse City , from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All proceeds benefit the Women's Resource Center, the area's only domestic and sexual violence agency providing counseling, advocacy and housing for women and children experiencing crisis.
The Pie Lady will also take advance custom orders for this fundraiser. Call 633-1366 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to place your order.
For more information on the bake sale, call 941-1210 or e-mail VKirn-Duensing@wrcgt.com.
---
2Lads Winery is offering a Fundamentals of Rose class Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. The class includes proper tasting techniques, tastings and lessons on how 2 Lads finishes its rose wines.
The class costs $35; for more information, call 223-7722.
---
The Crooked Tree Arts Center is again hosting "Cooking with the Pros" cooking and baking classes.
The classes, taught by area chefs, are held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays during February and March. Class size is limited to 12; cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
Feb. 2: Bob Vala from The Crow's Nest, Hearty Winter Soups
Feb. 9: Maria Sargent from Sweet Marie's and Rob Sargent, Cake Decorating Techniques & Working with Chocolate
Feb. 16: Rajiv Kumar, of Indian Health Today, demonstrating Ayurvedic Cooking
Feb. 23: John Norman from City Park Grill, menu to be announced
March 2: Rob Sargent from Sage and Maria Sargent, Easy Appetizers
Call 347-4337 or go to www.crookedtree.org
March 9: Thomas Vangyi from Thai Orchid, three Thai Dishes
March 16: Karen from Galley Gourmet, Healthy Cooking with an Italian Twist.
For more information, contact the Crooked Tree Arts Center, 461 E. Mitchell Street, Petoskey, call 347-4337 or go to www.crookedtree.org.
---
A benefit for the Darcy Library of Beulah Library will feature, yep, chocolate. Oh, and champagne and treasure.
The benefit, scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Feb. 12, will include tortes, fudge, mousse, brownies, cookies, cakes, pies and candy. Champagne with an exclusive Darcy label from L. Mawby vineyards will be served.
Music will be provided by a string quartet and there will be a silent auction featuring the works of local artists. The "treasures" are small antique pieces, personal accessories and home items -- among other things. There will be $1 tickets to put in a box next to each treasure. A drawing will be held during the evening.
There will also be bidding on lessons, gift certificates, special services as well as a quilt raffle.
The event is hosted by the Friends of the Darcy Library. Event tickets and raffle tickets for the quilt are available at fPhoenix in Beulah, The Book Store in Frankfort, The Benzie Chamber of Commerce in Benzonia or the Darcy Public Library. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, call the library, 882-4037.
---
Registration is open for this year's farm-to-school conference, "Setting the Table for Wellness."
The conference will be held March 15 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Registration is $25 per person; after Feb. 15 it goes up $10. The price includes a conference notebook, morning and afternoon snacks and a local foods lunch.
The daylong event is suited for schools, camps, students, farms, parents and others who want to learn how to bring fresh, local foods into cafeterias and curriculum. It's presented by Taste the Local Difference, an agricultural program of the Michigan Land Use Institute.
For more information or to register, go to www.mlui.org or call 941-6584.
---
Friske's Orchards is holding its annual Cherry Recipe Contest and the deadline is Feb. 15.
The categories are beverages (non-alcoholic) and snacks.
The contest is open to everyone except professional chefs, Friske employees and their families.
Six finalists will be chosen in each category and final judging will be held 10:30 a.m. Feb. 27 at the farm market, 10 miles south of Charlevoix on U.S. 31.
Registration forms are available at Friske's, by calling 599-2604 or at the Web site, www.friske.com.
---
Northwestern Michigan College is holding a Winter Festival of Foods Feb. 20.
The event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oleson Center, features 16 options. Students can choose four; each demonstration lasts an hour.
Among the offerings are Brick Oven Breads with Gerard Grabowski of Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery, Cooking without a Recipe with Eric Patterson and Jen Blakeslee of The Cooks' House and Cavatelli Pomodoro with Mickey Cannon of the Tuscan Bistro.
There are also classes on beer, knife skills, pies and more.
Cost is $69 for four choices. Go to www.nmc.edu/ees or call 995-1700 for more information.
---
The Manton Area Chamber of Commerce is hold its fourth annual Chili Cookoff and Pie Contest March 6.
Chili cook entries are limited to 20. There is a $10 fee and contestants need to prepare a minimum of two to three gallons and bring all the necessary toppings (cheese, crackers, chips). Entrants also need to provide their own pot or slow cooker to keep the chili warm although plugs and extension cords will be available.
Pie contestants need to bake at least two pies; one for judging and one to be auctioned.
There will also be a pepper-eating contest to see who can eat the most habanero peppers roaw. Last year's winner, Jon Stanley Sr., ate 11.
For more information on how to enter or about the contests in general, contact Jaimie Fellows, jaimiefellows@yahoo.com, 920-6617.
If you have food news or questions, send them to: Cook's Corner, Traverse City Record-Eagle, 120 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49685; call (231) 933-1511 or (800) 968-8273; or e-mail jtaylor@record-eagle.com.
