It's the perfect recipe for the ultimate food battle when the best amateur cooks in America put their signature dishes to the test against six professional chefs in "Food Fighters," a high-stakes culinary game coming to NBC. Television personality, author and food enthusiast Adam Richman hosts the series, which takes culinary sparring to a whole new level.

Niagara University's Office of Continuing Education, in collaboration with Sodexo food services, is presenting a sushi-cooking demonstration on Friday, March 22, with renowned executive chef Billy O'Donnell.

With competition brewing steadily in the coffee category, Dunkin' Donuts has been recognized once again for keeping guests running with a superior experience. For the seventh straight year, Dunkin' Donuts has been ranked No. 1 in customer loyalty in the coffee category by the Brand Keys customer loyalty engagement index.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Thursday that Dunkin' Brands Group, owner of Dunkin' Donuts, has agreed to set a date for sourcing 100 percent of the palm oil used to make its products from sustainable sources. 


Dunkin' Donuts will look ahead to spring through a special partnership with Hospice Buffalo in support of the 27th annual Hospice Buffalo Spring Bouquet Sale.

"Taste Niagara 2013," an evening celebration of local foods and beverages, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the new Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St.

Have you ever been to a hibachi restaurant? My first experience was Fuji Grill in LaSalle.

Smokin' Eagles leaders Roy "Honcho" Gregory of Wheatfield and Robert Giordano of Lewiston were a part of the Community BBQ held at the former St. George's Anglo Catholic Church at 1910 Falls St., in Niagara Falls.

Many people take the easy way out when it comes to eating healthy.

People turn to fast food and junk food to save time in their busy schedule - especially college students.

Three pastry chefs will go head-to-head in Verona next month to see who will win the title of American Culinary Federation Northeast Region Pastry Chef of the Year, sponsored by Plugrá European-Style Butter.

REVIEW: Why not try something new for dinner tonight? Head out to the village of Lewiston to one of its local gems, Carmelo's Restaurant.

"Food Network Star" season eight winner Justin Warner hits the road in search of unique culinary rule-breakers in the one-hour special "Rebel Eats," airing Saturday, March 30, at 10 p.m. on Food Network.

The next season of "Food Network Star" is currently in production with returning hosts/mentors Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay.

Niagara Frontier Publications is proud to announce noted food blogger Jude Russo Caserta is now a contributing writer for its website, www.wnypapers.com. A new version of her column, "Jude the Foodie," appears online each Monday.

"We are thrilled to be working with Jude, a well-liked and well-respected foodie," said Web Co-Editor Joshua Maloni. "Food is always a popular topic, and we're happy to have a tried and tested home cook and world traveler contributing stories, recipes and dining-out pieces for our website."

On Feb. 24 and 25, the Field & Fork Network will host its biennial "Connections Conference" (formerly the Farmer-Chef Conference) at the new, state-of-the art Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, Serene Gardens, 2800 Grand Island Blvd., will host a free Japanese cooking demonstration and tasting, beginning at 4 p.m. Explore two basic staples of Japanese food, miso soup and sushi roll, with Serene Gardens' Chef Satomi Smith.

Coming off of a recent Buffalo Soup Fest award for "Best Kept Secret," Satomi will demonstrate how she prepares these dishes from the first step; making broth for miso soup, washing the rice properly, making the vinaigrette for sushi rice, etc. Following the class there also will be a sake and wine tasting.

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto signed the New York State Legislative Wine Pledge Monday in support of the region's expanding wine and grape industry. The pledge requires Ceretto to serve New York state wine and grape products at events sanctioned by his legislative office or campaign organization.

For the eighth consecutive year, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

You asked for it.

In response to patron requests, the Village Bake Shoppe is now serving sandwiches. Five different paninis are on the menu, and include "The Meltdown," a Cuban, the "Gucci" grilled cheese, ham and mozzarella, and turkey and bacon club.

The Village Inn and Serene Gardens were winners Sunday at the third annual Buffalo Soup Fest, held at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew. Village Inn owner Mike Carr and Sarah Mallare took home the Best Chili award at the event for their Mayan Chocolate Chili, while Satomi and Dr. Joshua Smith of Serene Gardens took home an award for Best Kept Secret.

For the sixth year in a row, Dunkin' Donuts and the American Red Cross are teaming up for the "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign, which provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee* to all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives in the greater Buffalo area during the month of January.

A new seasonal celebration came to Niagara County last year, and it was a major hit - so much so, that the Kenan Center is bringing back its Niagara Wine and Beer Fest for a second year.

Mark your calendars for a special event taking place on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at the Lewiston Village Pub and Restaurant.

The Niagara Arts & Cultural Center is holding its annual poster contest for the Art of Beer 2013, which will be held on Feb. 22, 2013.

Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery Inc. presents "Pairing for Penguins," a benefit for the penguin exhibit at the Aquarium of Niagara.

Christmas is just around the corner, and it's time to get into the holiday spirit.

While the calendar may say the start of winter, preparations for one of the region's favorite summer events is well under way. The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications from restaurants, food trucks and wineries interested in participating in the 2013 event, set for July 13 and 14 in downtown Buffalo.

VIDEO: Seneca Gaming Corp. upped the ante on casino dining Thursday with the unveiling of the new Thunder Falls Buffet at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls USA.

Kim's International Café is serving up "from scratch" cuisine from American classics to Italian and traditional Asian dishes.

Batter up, breakfast lovers! IHOP, one of America's most popular family-friendly restaurants, known for "everything you love about breakfast," will once again invite guests to enjoy free pancakes during National Pancake Day on Feb. 5, 2013, while celebrating Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' 30th anniversary.

This tart cranberry sauce is complimented with spices to make it a versatile holiday dish. Eaten alone as a partner to turkey and mashed potatoes or heaped upon a block of cream cheese as an elegant appetizer alongside crackers, everyone is sure to enjoy this spin on the traditional holiday dish.

Thanksgiving Day should be full of family, friends and delicious food. There is no room for stress or anxiety. Use this timeline the week of Thanksgiving to organize your holiday dinner preparation and make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible.

Imagine a place where Gatsby, Sinatra and Bourdain would all feel at home.

Now imagine such a place on the corner of 19th and Ferry in downtown Niagara Falls.

Jonathan "J.B." Boas could imagine such a place.

Here are some yummy treats featuring Girl Scout cookies to take to holiday parties:

Are you a Niagara County resident who has received an honorable discharge from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and have official discharge papers? Eligible residents are able to receive a discount card to use at participating Niagara County merchants as their measure of saying "thanks" to Niagara County service men and women.

PHOTO GALLERY: There's a reason professional chefs on television steer clear of baking: It's not easy.

The next Niagara County Diabetes Education Program class, "Fabulous Feasting: a Healthy, Holiday Happening," will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Grace Lutheran Church, 916 Cayuga Drive at Pershing Avenue in LaSalle.

The Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, at 3181 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn, will hold an open house and pasta dinner on Nov. 15.

The Niagara Wine Trail will hold its "Share the Bounty" event on Veterans Day weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9, to 11. Times are noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Knights of Columbus Council No. 14622 hosts its fifth annual spaghetti dinner from 4 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Shrine is located at 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston.