FALMOUTH

Cupcake bakers to vie in war with sweet intent

Sedgewood Commons, 22 Northbrook Drive, is holding its second annual Cupcake War on March 22.

Each entry is a dozen cupcakes, and there’s a $15 fee per entry. Leftover cupcakes will be sold individually after judging and the awards ceremony, and the proceeds will go to the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Cupcake set-up begins at 10 a.m., and judging will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The winner will be announced at 2 p.m.

Prizes include a $100 gift certificate to Lucinda’s Day Spa and a trophy. To register, contact Lea Rust at Lea.Rust@Genesishcc.com, or call 781-5775, Ext. 227.

PORTLAND

Italian wine maker to take part in tasting and dinner

Second-generation wine maker Niccolo Chioccioli of Altadonna winery in Italy will be in Portland next week for a wine tasting, cooking demonstration and wine dinner.

Chioccioli will join chef Lee Skawinski of Cinque Terre at LeRoux Kitchen, 161 Commercial St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 for a wine tasting and cooking demonstration. He’ll describe the history of his family’s winery and wines while Skawinski makes some risottos.

On Feb. 9, Chioccioli will be at an Italian wine dinner at Vignola, 10 Dana St. The four-course dinner starts promptly at 6 p.m. and costs $55 per person. For more information or to reserve, call 772-1330.

 

Chocolates and vintage ports featured at book signing

Kate Shaffer, owner of Black Dinah Chocolatiers & Cafe on Isle au Haut and author of “Desserted: Recipes and Tales from an Island Chocolatier,” will have a tasting and book signing at Browne Trading Market, 262 Commercial St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

Browne Trading will also offer a tasting of rare vintage ports from Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and Quinta de Noval, all selected to complement Shaffer’s chocolates.

For more information about this free event, call 775-7560 or email wine@brownetrading.com.

 

Public invited to vote on cocktails and desserts

The Signature Event, the dessert and cocktail competition that launches Maine Restaurant Week, will be held Feb. 29 at the Portland Harbor Hotel, 468 Fore St.

The public will be able to sample and vote on more than 20 desserts and cocktails from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

John Myers, bartender at The Grill Room in Portland, and John Gertsen of Drink in Boston will also name their top cocktail of the night.

Natalie’s Restaurant at the Camden Harbour Inn will provide savory hors d’oeuvres to balance the sweets.

Tickets range from $35 for one to $120 for four, and can be purchased online at mainerestaurantweek.com. Tickets will be sold at the door for $40 if still available.

Maine Restaurant Week, March 1-10, will offer three-course meals at Maine restaurants for $20, $30 and $40. Some restaurants will offer three-course lunches for $15.

 

Pop-up shop at Akari to sell baked goods for good cause

A pop-up bake shop will appear in Portland Saturday to raise money for the Good Shepherd Food Bank and raise awareness of childhood hunger. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Akari, 193 Middle St.

East End Cupcakes, Scratch Baking Co., El Rayo Taqueria and other local businesses are donating baked goods to sell. Anyone who would like to contribute something should call 542-3723.

WINSLOW

Raw food potluck dinner will be held at library

The Living Way health ministry will hold its sixth annual live food dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Winslow Public Library, 136 Halifax St. The guest speaker will be Victor Esposito, who will focus his presentation on the Vassalboro Middle School’s garden project.

This is a potluck featuring raw, vegan-style foods. The dinner is free and open to the public, but everyone attending must bring a raw dish that will feed at least eight people. No cooked, processed, soy or animal-based foods are acceptable.

Reservations are required. Call 873-7404 or email thelivingway@ livway.org.