Food Notes: Fun food things to do the week of Oct. 23

On the Menu

Ivy and Lace Bake Shop, 546 Putnam Pike, Greenville, (401) 349-5003, ivyandlacebakeshop.com, has released its seasonal menu of sweets including cranberry orange tarts, carrot cake, baklava or pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie, double-crust apple pie, chocolate cream pie and pumpkin pie.

Coming up

The 36th annual Child & Family Taste of Newport will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wyndham Newport at the Atlantic Resort, 240 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown. Tickets are $125. Make-A-Difference tickets are $250 and include a VIP reception at 4:30 p.m. For a list of participating establishments and to purchase tickets, visit childandfamilyri.org.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, One West Exchange St., Providence, will host a Halloween Candy & Wine Pairing event Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sample a wide variety of pairings and learn what combinations are a treat. Pairing examples include licorice and rosé, candy corn and Moscato, and peanut butter cups and pinot noir. There will also be passed appetizers. Tickets are $45. For reservations, call (401) 533-9000.

Spirito’s Restaurant & Catering, 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, will host a Wild Mushroom & Wine Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $55. Call (401) 434-4435 for reservations.

Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox (Christian) Church, One St. Mary Way, Pawtucket, holds its 39th annual Holiday Bazaar and Middle Eastern Food Festival Friday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dishes include seasoned meat pies; grape leaves stuffed with American lamb and rice; falafel; and baked lamb tenderloin stuffed with onions and pine nuts. Go to stmarypawtucket.org/bazaar for the schedule of events, complete menu, directions and other information.

The Greek Food Fair & Christmas Bazaar at the Annunciation Church Center, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A variety of Greek foods including roast lamb with roasted potatoes, gyros, spanakopita, pastitsio (Greek lasagna) and souvlakia will be served, along with an assortment of pastries. Admission is free.

This weekend

Blackbird Farm and Eat Drink RI host a Harvest Farmers Market & Craft Festival on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Blackbird Farm Farm Stand, 660 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. There will be wagon and pony rides. It will be the last day of the year for the Blackbird Farm Ice Cream Trailer, though the farm stand is open year-round.

Fundraisers

Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Ave., Providence, will host a World Series of Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. There will be about 25 chefs competing in the Silverstein Meeting Hall. Judges are Jan Dane from Stock; Noah Metnick, executive chef at Waterman Grille; and Robert Tessier, head chef at Miriam Hospital. Proceeds will benefit the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children over 5, free for children under 5, and a maximum admission of $30 per family. For information, call (401) 331-6070 or go to Temple-Beth-El.org.

*CANCELED* October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Ave., Newport, is offering ways for guests and others to support the Gloria Gemma Foundation and its services to individuals and families touched by breast cancer. A Night in Pink will be held at the hotel on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guests are invited to dress in pink; the most creative outfit earns a prize. There will also be a silent auction on overnight getaways, spa treatments, electronics and more. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. They include one cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, a gift bag and mini spa services.

The Hotel Viking in Newport will donate 50% of the proceeds from all Cosmopolitans sold in October to support the Gloria Gemma Foundation, as well as from specialty pink pastries sold at Hill Market.

Gasbarro’s Wines, 361 Atwells Ave., Providence, will hold a Wine Tasting Fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. to benefit Nutmeg Animal Welfare. Tickets are $60 and include food. They are available at the door or in advance at nutmeg.global.

The Olde White Church 12th Annual Veterans Meat Pie Supper will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 1113 GAR Highway, Swansea. The “donations only” buffet-style supper features a quarter-slice of meat pie, whipped potatoes, veggies, gravy, rolls and dessert. All donations will be converted into food and service gift cards, which are distributed throughout the year to Swansea veterans in need.

On TV

The latest edition of “TV Maitre d’ with Joe Zito,” which airs Sundays at 11 a.m. on Fox Providence and at 11:30 a.m. on Channel 12, will feature a look at this year’s Providence Journal Critic’s Choice Food and Drink Event as well as visits to Chan’s Restaurant, La Collina Restaurant, Trattoria Romana in Johnston, Venda Ravioli, Julian’s and Iannuccilli Restaurant. The show also airs on The CW Providence and on MyRITV. The upcoming new edition of "Fresh & Local," seen on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on The CW Providence, will feature executive chef John Granata of the Cranston Country Club preparing Bucatini Arrabiata.

News

Thursday, Oct. 24, is Rhode Island Apple Day and Chartwells’ Rhode Island students will be treated to fresh made recipes featuring locally grown apples from Steere Orchard in Greenville and apple cider from Jaswell's Farm in Smithfield. First gentleman Andy Moffit will be at the Gallagher Middle School in Smithfield from 10:50 a.m. to noon to read a proclamation making Oct. 24 Rhode Island Apple Day. Following the reading of the proclamation, the student body will celebrate with an Apple Crunch Moment. The Apple Day menu includes roasted chicken with local potatoes, four varieties of local apples, apple cheddar chicken salad, apple Swiss chicken sandwich, Mercer Island apple slaw, homemade apple sauce and homemade apple crisp.

Next year's 15th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will take place Sept. 17-20. Those interested in securing tickets to next year's festival for the same price as this year's festival must do so prior to Dec. 26. For information and to purchase tickets, visit NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org or call (401) 847-1000.

— Janet Butler