The Taste of Benzie is scheduled for Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Mineral Springs Park in Frankfort.
Samples from 16 eateries will be available for $1 to $3. The third annual event is sponsored by the Frankfort Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce and the Benzie County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Participants are: A. Papanos Pizza, Betsie Bay Inn, Cabbage Shed, Coho Cafe, Conundrum Cafe & Hill Top Shoppe, Crystal Mountain, Dinghy's Restaurant, Dinner on the Porch, Frankfort A&W;, Frankfort Garden Theater, Fusion, Glen's Market & Deli, LA Cafe, Lighthouse Cafe, Mayfair Tavern and Tali Bistro.
Children's activities include inflatables, face painting, photo booths, crafts, sidewalk art and music.
For more information, call 352-7251 or go to www.frankfort-elberta.com.
---
Eric Nittolo, executive chef of the Boathouse Restaurant at Bowers Harbor, has helped develop a line of gourmet salt.
Beyond the Shaker specializes in unrefined sea salts and salt blends, including 11 blends created with Nittolo's input. One combinations is Citrus Basil, which combines river salt with lemon myrtle, basic, orange and lemon peel, recommended with crab cakes, the rim of a margarita or sprinkled on fresh fruit such as watermelon.
The company's Web site, www.beyondtheshaker.com, lists all the varieties and also includes ideas and recipes.
Nittolo's partners are brothers Christopher and Tyler McVety, originally from southeastern Michigan, who have a vacation home near Traverse City.
---
Speaking of Nittolo, he'll be joined by Bowers Harbor Vineyards winemaker Spencer Stegenga for a series of dinners in September.
"Dining in the Vines" is scheduled for each Saturday at the vineyard and will feature a seven-course meal. Call 223-4030 for reservations.
---
Mt. Holiday is hosting its fall fundraiser dinner Sept. 26.
This year, the nonprofit ski resort is targeting money for a "magic carpet" to get skiers up the hill.
The theme of the dinner is "Northern Michigan Wild Game and Grog" with food prepared by local chefs and paired with local wines and beer. There will also be a silent auction and music from Northern Michigan Songwriters in the Round.
Tickets are $75 per person or $540 for a table of eight and can be purchased by calling 938-2500 or stopping by the lodge, 3100 Holiday Road.
Silent auction donations are also being solicited; call the number above or e-mail kimholiday@charterinternet.com.
---
Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery on the Old Mission Peninsula won the Harding's Cup at the Michigan Cabernet France wine challenge in Kalamazoo. Judges tasted 22 wines from 18 Michigan wineries and one French wine -- all 2007 vintage. Winemaker Coenraad Stassen's 2007 Artisan Series Cabernet Franc won the grand prize; the 2007 Cabernet Franc won a bronze medal. Second place went to 2 Lads Winery for a 2007 Reserve Cabernet Franc by Cornel Olivier.
---
Martha's Leelanau Table is offering fall cooking classes every Wednesday at 6 p.m., beginning Sept. 2.
Each class includes that night's recipes, a glass of wine and the dinner prepared in class. Cost is $95 per person, plus tax. Call 271-2344.
Classes include farm market food, wine dinners, Julie Child recipes, ethnic food and cheese.
---
A fundraiser for Michael's Place will be held at Leorie Vineyards Sept. 12. Michael's Place is a center for grieving children, teens and families. All programs and services are free. In 2008, more than 32,000 hours of direct service were provided for those suffering the death of a loved one.
Bill and Susie Janis and Casey and Geri Cowell are hosting the fundraiser, which includes cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and music and dancing by The Reefermen. Tickets are $125 per person; casual attire. Reservations should be made by Sept. 4; call 947-6453 or e-mail MPEvents@charterinternet.com.
---
If you have food news, please send it to: Cook's Corner, Traverse City Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685; call (231) 933-1511 or (800) 968-8273; or e-mail jtaylor@record-eagle.com.
