Chef Bobby Anderson, a Niagara Falls native and competitor on the fourth season of FOX's "Hell's Kitchen," is bringing "F-Bites" youth nutritional cooking program to Old Falls Street each Thursday, from noon until 1 p.m.

Food Network icons and best-selling cookbook authors Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri return for season two of "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off," premiering Sunday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

GardenFest is this weekend in Lewiston. The annual event is a time for residents and visitors to get out and explore different gardens and to take notice of the Garden Club's work in beautifying the village. In keeping with that idea, why not venture out a little further this weekend when in search of breakfast? You might find a new morning favorite food.

Why do we all scream for ice cream? Because we want more of it, of course.

Fortunately, The Silo Restaurant has us covered. The waterfront eatery has introduced a new dessert that is heavy in history and even heavier in scoops.

There's a saying around Lewiston: "Come hungry to Syros."

The family restaurant doesn't skimp on breakfast servings. ... Or tables, for that matter. Subsequently, guests can get in, fill up fast, and get out.

"Feel good food" can mean eating something that's healthy, or partaking of a meal that's made with fresh ingredients. It's not necessarily both - unless Mangia Café & Bakery chef Bec Poletti is making the food. Then you know you're going to eat a great meal that's guilt-free.

Stop the presses: The Villa Coffee House has added blueberries and chocolate chips to its signature thin and crisp pancakes! "We did sort of violate one of Tom's rules, which was putting things into the pancakes," owner and chef Mike Loraine said. "That's a new addition. ... I think the chocolate chips are great."

Russian producer, broadcaster and creative thinker Zamir Gotta visited Niagara Falls last weekend. Zamir, head of Gotta Media LLC, sampled local cuisine and toured world-famous attractions.

For the second year in a row, Grand Island's The Beach House has won Niagara Frontier Publication's "Best Fish Fry" contest.

Oh, you won't believe this.

Food Network's long-running competition series "Food Network Star" is back for a 10th season in June, with culinary icons Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay leading the charge to discover the next promising face in food television.

Speaking of his new restaurant, chef Michael Clark promises, "We're not going to be your everyday pizzeria."

Business partners Clark, of Niagara Falls, and Lewiston's Tony Vescio plan to open Big Guys Pizzeria and More early next month in the addition next to Hibbard's Original Frozen Custard on Portage Road. The eatery's name comes from its signature pie, a 28-inch pizza affectionately called "The Big Guy."

Kiss winter goodbye: Hibbard's is open.

Hibbard's Original Frozen Custard officially began its summer season Friday in the Village of Lewiston. On a warm spring evening - after a long, cold winter - children and families lined up to grab the first ice cream treats of the season.

The Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls USA, officially unveiled its new menu Wednesday. The global restaurant chain is promoting its new fare with the slogan "It Tastes As Good As It Sounds," which emphasizes the eatery's unique connection to the music industry.

Carol Calato, board chairwoman of the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, has announced the organization will host its annual fundraiser Sunday, May 4, at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston. The "Jazz and Pasta" event will begin at 1 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. All proceeds support the Jazz Festival.

It was a feast fit for a king at Casa Antica, as the Village of Lewiston restaurant presented its annual St. Joseph's Day table. As shown, a large assortment of Italian dishes and desserts greeted patrons, who filled each table in the Center Street eatery.

During the weekends of April 4-6 and 11-13, the wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail will participate in their annual wine and local food-pairing event, "Taste of the Trail." The popularity of this event has lead to its expansion to two weekends.

The concept of "Taste of the Trail" is to educate how wine can easily pair with each part of a meal. A sample from a local food vendor, or the winery's own favorite pairing, will be given at each location with a taste of three wines.

Home cooks from across the country compete, with the guidance and determination from Food Network chefs, for a $50,000 cash prize in the new culinary competition series "America's Best Cook," premiering Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m.

It's cliché to say a restaurant has "something for everyone."

Unless that restaurant is Brio Pizzeria.

Tully's Good Times Restaurants in Amherst, Clarence and Cheektowaga have joined forces with the Special Olympics NY Western Region to raise money for the upcoming Special Olympics New York State Summer Games, taking place June 6-8.

The LaSalle Yacht Club has turned its Pasta Sauce Off benefit over to two successful fundraisers who are all of 11 years old.

"Taste Niagara 2014," a celebration of local foods and beverages, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at the state-of-the-art Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls. The culinary institute is home to Niagara County Community College's culinary arts, baking and pastry arts program.

Hosted by the Niagara County Farm Bureau, in association with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, the event is open to the public. It will feature multiple food stations.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program, which supports local high school seniors in pursuit of higher education in the foodservice and hospitality industries. The scholarship awards up to five winners with $1,000 each to be applied toward college education.

Niagara Falls has long been considered a tourist destination because of its natural wonder of the world. This area also continues to expand in the retail industry and is visited by people from all over the world. But, the best-kept secret in Niagara Falls is the abundance of family-owned restaurants.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel unveiled plans for (716) Food and Sport, HARBORCENTER's 13,000-square-foot dining establishment.

"(716) will be dedicated to providing the best-in-class fan, food and sports experience," Koelmel said. "Our commitment to hospitality, quality and community will make HARBORCENTER a dining destination for residents of Western New York and Southern Ontario, as well as numerous visitors to the area."

Located on the corner of Scott Street and Washington Street, (716) will feature fare that is highlighted by Western New York culinary favorites, with an emphasis on locally produced ingredients.

Skilled chefs compete for the opportunity to cook against culinary master Bobby Flay in the new eight-episode competition series "Beat Bobby Flay," premiering Thursday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Wilson has a new coffee shop. The Wilson Brew Co. held its grand opening Saturday, Jan. 18. There were drawings and giveaways for the large crowd that came out on a snowy morning to attend the opening.

What you eat is where you are - and there's no better way to know a destination than through its food. Niagara USA is home to 800 farms, 20 wineries, one brewery and even a cideria, so it's no wonder that our culture has seeped into some of the best eateries around.

The Blue Lantern Lounge, located at 6120 Seneca St., Elma, has announced a new venture that will reach beyond its current brick and mortar location. The new "da Blue" food truck will burst onto the scene in early February, taking a unique "street eats" menu direct to the downtown Buffalo lunch scene.

For the seventh year, 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 donors at Red Cross blood drives.

Starting the new year with additional unit growth, Sonic Drive-In has announced expansion plans in the state of New York with a franchise agreement bringing eight new drive-ins to Buffalo within the next six years. The nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants has reached an agreement with Kevin DiPirro to develop these locations, with the first planned to open in the spring of 2015. The eight drive-in locations will extend throughout Niagara and Erie counties.

It's that time of the year when people look back on years past and identify goals they want to achieve in the year ahead. According to USA.gov, nearly half of the most popular New Year's resolutions each year are health-related.

"Despite good intentions, the majority of Americans give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first few weeks of the new year," said Gail Marchese, wellness coordinator at Tops. "For those making health-related resolutions, there are simple ways to make smarter food and lifestyle choices that can be easily incorporated into your daily lives."

Here are a few wellness, smart eating, and food shopping tips from Tops to ease the transition to a healthier lifestyle in 2014 and beyond.

Water Street Landing is unquestionably one of Lewiston's most popular spots to dine in the warm months. But what do patrons do in the winter?

The restaurant recently debuted an outdoor seating area that is lit by a fire pit, which also provides warmth.

Food Network kicks off the new year with five times the food and fun in the brand-new series "The Kitchen," co-hosted by culinary favorites Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Aaron Rotella is opening The Spicey Pickle in Lewiston a little later this winter.

If there's one downside to fabulous, food-filled holiday celebrations, it's the gurgles and groans of post-feasting indigestion.

"We assume it's because we overate, but for a lot of people, that pain and sick feeling may not be about how much you ate but what you ate," said Kyra Bussanich, (www.kyrasbakeshop.com), three-time winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," and author of a just-released recipe book, "Sweet Cravings: 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle."

Bakery owner tosses the flour but keeps the flavor.

Bussanich's gluten-free cupcakes twice bested their floury competition on "Cupcake Wars."

Dominique Wilkins provided guests at the Niagara Falls Culinary Center with diabetes education and prevention tips.

Iconic restaurateur Tom George retired this week after 44 years of serving Lewiston's best bagel sandwiches and chili-cheeseburgers. His last day at The Villa Coffee House was Monday.

As Halloween approaches, be very afraid - and also a little hungry - because participating IHOP restaurants in the Buffalo area are bringing back one of their most beloved traditions for kids: the "Scary Face" pancake joins the "Just For Kids" menu this month.