Get a taste at Festival of Foodies

For a taste of Spokane, here’s the ticket: The Festival of Foodies.

The eighth annual festival kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lair Building at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St., and lasts until 6 p.m.

Don’t wait until the weekend to grab a ticket. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Foodies will be able to taste tidbits from area restaurants and bakeries, along with microbrews, wines, champagnes and spirits.

Among the festival events, students from the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at Spokane Community College will compete at 3:15 p.m. on the main stage in a “Top Chef”-style cooking competition sponsored by Bold Eats.

The chefs will be given an identical “mystery basket” containing chicken or beef and a fruit or vegetable, along with staples such as sugar, salt, garlic and other items.

They’ll have 30 minutes to make an entrée and present it to judges for a chance to win $200 and a $150 Yoke’s Fresh Market gift certificate.

Among the other demonstrations: Chef Sean Murray of Wolf Creek Steak House will prepare a Ribeye Pita, ribeye sautéed in white wine, onions, mushrooms and red peppers, at 2:15 p.m.; C.I. Shenanigans chef Adam Sefani will make Bay Shrimp Brochette at 4:15 p.m.; and Clinkerdagger Chef Bob Aldred will demonstrate the restaurant’s Burnt Cream at 5:15 p.m.

Purchase advance tickets at Vino, 222 S. Washington St.; WineStyles, 8801 N. Indian Trail Road; Just American Desserts, 213 S. University Road; Halletts Chocolate Factory, 1419 E. Holyoke Ave.; and Enoteca, 112 E. Seltice Way, Suite C, in Post Falls.

Pillsbury Bake-Off taking entries

It’s time to dream big again.

The Pillsbury Bake-Off is open for entries in the 60-year-old contest.

What’s new this year? The Hershey Company is joining sponsors General Mills, General Electric, the J.M. Smucker Co., Egglands Best, Land O’Lakes and Fisher Nuts, which means there are new eligible products with which to experiment.

Those include Hershey’s cocoa, baking chips or bits, and baking chocolates; Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk; Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Recipe Creations; and Pillsbury Refrigerated Thin Pizza Crust.

One hundred finalists will be chosen nationwide to compete for the $1 million grand prize April 11-13, 2010. The entry deadline is April 20.

Consumers will have a chance to help pick 10 of the final recipes this summer when 20 recipes are offered for online voting.

For online entry details and tips for successful entries, go to www.bakeoff.com.