Appetizers

Just in time for Passover planning, the Orthodox Union - the group behind the widely used "OU Kosher" symbol - has introduced a new smartphone application that can instantly search the kosher status of more than 600,000 products.

The free app is available for download for iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch and Androids. Passover will be observed April 6 through 14.

The OU Kosher app includes products manufactured at almost 8,000 plants in more than 90 countries that meet strict kosher guidelines. Besides the product search, the app also provides "kosher alerts," new product updates and online access to experts to answer dietary questions. There's also access to the OU Kosher information hotline.

The app is part of a social media blitz by the Orthodox Union in preparation for Passover. On its Facebook page and via Twitter, OU Kosher will feature "Kosher for Passover" products, recipes and articles as well as field questions from fans and followers.

To download the app, select "OU Kosher" from the iTunes App Store or use a direct link to the app from the OU's website at www.ou.org/apps.

The direct application can be downloaded at http://itunes.apple.com/ke/app/ou-kosher/id491138771?mt=8.

Kelli Powers joked about a casting call for the "Worst Cooks in America."

"Then, my husband said, 'You should sign up,' " Powers recalled. "I was just laughing like it was a joke. But he said, 'You need to do that.' "

Now, Powers - who grew up in the Sacramento area - is one of 16 contestants competing in season three of Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America," which debuts at 9 p.m. Sunday.

Powers, a mom and part-time actress who now lives in a Los Angeles suburb, will be part of chef Anne Burrell's team of eight "recruits." They'll battle in kitchen boot camp with eight other admittedly awful cooks, mentored by superstar chef Bobby Flay.

All 16 contestants were nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills.

"We had thousands of candidates," Burrell said. "We tried to find people who would truly gain something from the experience rather than somebody who just wants to be on TV."

Powers, whose family still lives in the Sacramento area, wanted to learn the secrets of kitchen success, so she could make recipes passed down from her grandmother.

"I always really excelled at everything I did," Powers said. "But cooking, I didn't get right away. I get it now.

"We learned every second - and we learned a lot from mistakes," she added. "That's OK. It gives you the kind of confidence you need in the kitchen."

In the season premiere, Powers and cohorts attempt Orange Pumpkin Pancakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Maple Syrup. The contestant with the least successful dish each week goes home.

Upcoming episodes feature an international cuisine challenge, seafood preparation and cooking for a class of third graders. The series culminates April 8 when the two most-improved cooks are judged by culinary stars David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger. The winner gets $25,000 plus new confidence in the kitchen.

For more details, click on www.FoodNetwork.com/Worst-Cooks-In-America. Full episodes will be available for online streaming the day after original broadcast.

Can Kelli Powers go from kitchen disaster to culinary master? The Sacramento woman has all-star help from celebrity chefs and a chance to win $25,000.

Powers is one of 16 contestants tabbed for season three of Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America," which debuts at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.

Powers will be part of chef Anne Burrell's team of eight "recruits." They'll battle in kitchen boot camp with eight other admittedly awful cooks, mentored by superstar chef Bobby Flay.

All 16 contestants were nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills.

"Kelli's Nana -- her grandmother -- saw great cooking potential in her as a child, though Kelli was more interested in hitting the books than the pots and pans," according to the show's website. "Now a mother herself, Kelli wants to maintain her family's cooking traditions and is determined to no longer be the mom whose dish sits untouched at potlucks."

In the season premiere, Powers and cohorts attempt Orange Pumpkin Pancakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Maple Syrup. The contestant with the least successful dish each week goes home.

Upcoming episodes feature an international cuisine challenge, seafood preparation and cooking for a class of third graders. The series culminates April 8 when the two most-improved cooks are judged by culinary stars David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger. The winner gets $25,000 plus new confidence in the kitchen.

For more details, click on www.FoodNetwork.com/Worst-Cooks-In-America. Full episodes will be available for online streaming the day after original broadcast.

Shoppers can get a taste Saturday of what's to come during a pre-opening party hosted by Whole Foods Market at its new Folsom store, located at 270 Palladio Parkway in the Palladio shopping center.

Called "Folsom Street Market," the event will be held in the new store's parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

More than 60 local vendors will offer product samples as well as beer and cider tasting. Kids can enjoy a haybale maze and pumpkin patch. Shoppers also can take a tour of the new 45,000-square-foot store.

Next week, this Whole Foods Market - the chain's third outlet in the greater Sacramento area - opens to the public. A bread breaking ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, followed by live music, beer tasting and children's activities.

On opening day, the first 250 Folsom shoppers to enter the store will receive a reusable shopping bag filled with Whole Foods Market products.

For more details, click on www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Check out - and help, too.

Making it easier for customers to contribute to Japanese disaster relief, all Nugget Markets and several Food 4 Less stores will accept donations right at the check-out counter, the companies announced Monday. This fund-raising assistance will continue through April 1.

In addition, Nugget Market Inc. will donate a matching contribution up to $5,000 to the American Red Cross, which partnered with the supermarkets in this effort.

"The Nugget Market and Food 4 Less family of associates and our guests have come alongside the American Red Cross to help alleviate the effects of this disaster," said Nugget CEO Eric Stille. "We're committed to helping and to bringing hope and aid to those in need."

These tax-deductible donations will be recorded on sales receipts. All funds will directly support those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami, according to American Red Cross officials.

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

Auburn's Scott Pruett, arguably America's winningest road racer, has had plenty to celebrate, including his record fourth Rolex 24 at Daytona victory last month.

But at 6 p.m. Saturday night, the race-car driver-turned-vintner toasts something totally different: His first winemaker's dinner featuring his homegrown Pruett Vineyards wines.

A few seats remain for this special event at Carpe Vino restaurant in old town Auburn.

"There is absolutely no question that winning nine races in 2010 and my fourth Grand-Am Championship is a career-defining accomplishment," Pruett said. "But bottling the first vintage of Pruett Vineyard as a bonded winery with my wife, Judy, is as personally satisfying as any of my greatest moments in racing."

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

A drop-dead bacon and egg cocktail? That could be an option during a special Dia de Los Muertos mixology class hosted by Tres Agaves Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Lounge in Roseville.

Ashley Miller, Tres Agaves' executive beverage director, will lead three sessions on Oct. 22, featuring Tequila Espolon. Each 90-minute hands-on class will explore the many options and unique ways that bartenders create new specialty drinks.

The class - which costs $25 to attend - also will feature a tasting of Tequila Espolon's collection.

Student mixologists will be encouraged to try combining unusual ingredients with tequila including bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and pepper.

Tequila Espolon is a product of Mexico's San Nicolas Distillery, based in Arandas, Jalisco. Introduced to the United States market in 2000, this brand recently got a makeover with new labeling featuring striking artwork inspired by Mexican folk tales and traditions such as Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The classes will be held at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22 at Tres Agaves, 1182 Roseville Parkway, Roseville. For reservations, call (916) 782-4455 or click on www.tresagaves.com.

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

Hot dog, here's a deal: a 59-cent lunch.

Wienerschnitzel, the world's largest hot dog chain, will offer that bargain Saturday at its new Sacramento outlet, located at 2464 Florin Road at the corner of 24th Street.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, the new restaurant will host an open house with 59-cent hot dogs, a bounce house, free stuff and fun.

"We are very excited to celebrate with the community the grand opening of our new Sacramento location," said store owner Bal Soin in a release. "The day will be full of fun and of course der-licious Wienerschnitzel menu items and everyday value offers."

Despite its name, Wienerschnitzel is a California native, born in the Los Angeles suburb of Wilmington in 1961. Serving more than 120 million hot dogs a year, the Irvine-based chain now has 350 franchises in 10 states and Guam.

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

Folsom's Colleen Gordon got a moment in the spotlight Tuesday with how-to maven Martha Stewart during the taping of Stewart's show in New York City.

Her five minutes of fame - originally shown live in New York - will be re-broadcast in the Sacramento market at 1 p.m. PDT Wednesday on the Hallmark Channel.

Gordon, a crafter herself, was chosen at random from the studio audience to help Stewart create luminaries out of gourds. That included drilling holes into the dried gourds while live on camera.

"I had never done anything like that before," said Gordon, reached by phone in New York. "I had five minutes to cram everything in my head like a big sponge before we went on camera.

"But my drill was set on reverse," she added. "(Martha) was drilling away on her gourd, but mine wasn't working. It became a big joke. Finally, we got mine working, too. And the gourds turned out beautifully."

The task seemed natural to Gordon, who is in the party business. Visiting New York with her husband Robb for a business conference, the 40-year-old Folsom mom owns Party Wishes (mypartywishes.com), which specializes in themed party planning for children and teens.

"I started doing parties for my own kids," said the mother of four children, ranging in age from 2 to 13. "We take care of it all - decor, favors, hosting. It's for moms who don't have a lot of time."

Stewart gave Gordon an extra surprise: The TV host plugged her Folsom party business.

"She had asked me off camera what I do, but then she repeated it on the air," Gordon recalled. "It was the best advertising I could ever have in the whole world - and it was free."

Gordon also got to keep the gourd. "Now, I've got to find a way to get it home on the plane," she said. "But it will be on my doorstep soon."

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

Looking for local produce? Here's a new guide made for locavores. Besides being a handy resource, it's the best price: Free.

"Buy Fresh Buy Local: Sacramento Valley Eater's Guide" is now available at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Davis Food Co-op and Davis Farmers Market.

This 40-page guide covers Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yuba counties with information on farmers' markets, grocers and restaurants, community gardens, farms, farmstands, food artisans, U-Pick farms, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA produce boxes) and agricultural organizations.

Developed by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF Bay Area), the guide represents an effort to improve access to healthy food and raise awareness about the importance of buying local, say editor Ariane Michas.

Among its useful features:

• Full schedule of farmers' markets including times, dates and locations;

• A seasonality chart, highlighting crops grown in the Sacramento Valley;

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in our area;

• Sacramento Valley organizations and websites dedicated to healthy eating and a sustainable food system.

• Listings by county of growers, farmstands, grocers, restaurants, cafes and caterers that support locally grown produce.

"If there's anything that we've learned in our work for this guide, it is that the Sacramento Valley is hungry for local food," said Michas. "Fortunately, the terrific abundance of the area is well suited to feeding this hunger."

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is located at 1900 Alhambra Blvd. in Sacramento. Phone: (916) 455-2667. The Davis Food Co-op is located at 620 G St. in Davis. Phone: (530) 758-2667. Both are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Davis farmers' market, located at 4th and C streets, is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.