Food Notes

Watch out for Kids in the Kitchen this weekend

The Junior League of Charlottesville will present “Kids in the Kitchen,” an event using hands-on activities to share childhood nutrition information, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Johnson Elementary School.

“Kids in the Kitchen” is an Association of Junior Leagues International-sponsored effort to help fight childhood obesity by giving kids the tools to make smart food choices and enjoy healthy lifestyles.

Geared for children ages 4 to 10 and their families, the event will include a smoothie station, apron decorating, salad making, veggie races, demonstrations by local farmers and arts and crafts.

On the exercise side of the equation, there will be fitness activities with University of Virginia athletes and an obstacle course by the Little Gym.

Learn more about the event and find child-friendly recipes and nutrition tips at

http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org.

Marisa Catalano will show off her knife skills

Charlottesville Cooking School will present “Intermediate Knife Skills” with Marisa Catalano at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for $45.

The class will cover butchery, deboning chicken and filleting fish. A light menu will be consumed at the end of the class.

“Eating Healthy and Loving It” with Martha Stafford will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for $65.

The class will cover knife skills and making creamy soups without cream.

There will be root vegetable soup; sauteed chicken cutlets with herb chutney, chicken cutlets with marsala and mushrooms and chicken cutlets with roasted red pepper sauce; quinoa, barley and brown rice; braised collard greens with smoked turkey, kale with mustard seed and tamari and chard with dill; plus roasted fruit desserts.

“Season to Taste” with Erik Speer will be 6 p.m. Monday for $65.

Chef and caterer Speer will explore the world of herbs and spices by leading the class in cooking brandied mushrooms with grilled sourdough bread, seasonal greens vinaigrette, oven-roasted pork loin with chutney and pumpkin roulade with spiced whipped cream.

To sign up, send e-mail to info@charlottesville

cookingschool.com, visit http://www.charlottesville

cookingschool.com or call 963-COOK.

DelFosse Vineyards toasts the End of Winter

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery will present its End of Winter Wine and Food Pairing at 1 p.m. Sunday.

There will be a menu by Genevieve DelFosse and wines from DelFosse Winery.

A 10 percent discount is available on wines purchased at the event.

The event is $40 per person, and reservations are required.

A complimentary wine glass is included.

Visit http://www.delfossewine.com or call 263-6100.

Lafayette comes to the aid of Four County

The Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville will observe “Cause Thursday” this week, and 20 percent of the evening’s non-alcohol proceeds will be donated to Four County Players.

Reservations are requested at 985-6345.

For details and a menu, visit http://www.thelafayette.com.

Salatin will speak at Montessori on Saturday

Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, a third-generation alternative farmer, will speak on “Creating a Local Food System That Works” from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Montessori Community School at Pantops.

A donation of $15 is suggested, and registration is recommended.

Proceeds will support Blue Ridge Permaculture Network.

For details or registration, call 296-3963.

Learn more at http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net.

Siips brings in Jimmy O for some live music

Jimmy O will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Siips Wine and Champagne Bar on the Downtown Mall.

There’s no cover. Call 872-0056.

Local shops don shamrocks to help out MDA

Merchants across the nation are displaying shamrocks to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and its campaign to cure muscle-wasting diseases.

Central Virginia businesses participating in the program include Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hardee’s, Kroger, Stop-In convenience stores, Shoney’s, IHOP, Harris Teeter, Burger King and Blockbuster.

Last year, Shamrocks Against Dystrophy raised $145,000 in Central Virginia. Nationally, $14 million was collected.

To learn more, call (804) 285-2961.

Scruffy Murphy strikes up band at South River

South River Restaurant and Wine Shop in Waynesboro will observe St. Patrick’s Day a little early with its Irish Friday event featuring the band Scruffy Murphy from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Irish cuisine is on the menu.

On Thursday, there will be a free wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring wines from Lovingston Winery.

Learn more at http://www.southrivergrill.com.

For reservations or details, dial (540) 942-5567.

Tickets go on sale Thursday for wine dinner

Get your tickets by Thursday for Meals on Wheels’ Wine Dinner, which will be March 19 at the Silver Thatch Inn.

Terri Petrovits at the Silver Thatch Inn has developed a six-course menu paired with wines from King Family and First Colony vineyards.

The event will benefit Meals on Wheels’ home-delivered meals program.

Tickets are $100 per person, and $50 is tax-deductible.

To reserve a place, or a table, call 293-4364.

Lunch menu served up for less than six bucks

South River Restaurant and Wine Shop in Waynesboro offers lunch for $5.99 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The five choices include lasagna, grilled cheese with soup, open-faced roast beef, Cajun scallop pasta and English fish with fries and slaw.

Find out more at (540) 942-5567.

From staff reports