The Junior League of Memphis asked me to be the featured chef instructor for their "Kids in the Kitchen" event. Of course, I was honored to be a part ... and the kids were great.

Over 200 Junior Leagues around the world participated in this international initiative designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition. For ideas on healthful eating for your children, visit kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org.

The event was at The Church Health Center's wellness facility, Hope and Healing, which has an amazing demonstration kitchen dedicated to teaching its members about healthful cooking. For adults, they offer hands-on courses on such topics as heart-healthy cooking, low-calorie diets and even cooking for diabetics. For youngsters, they have informative and fun classes such as "Snack Attack" that teach kids how to make healthy food choices.

Cat Cora comes to town

On Wednesday, April 18 at 6 p.m., Cat Cora of Food Network's "Iron Chef of America" will sign copies of her new book "Cooking From the Hip: Fast, Easy, Phenomenal Meals" (Houghton Mifflin Company, $30) at Davis-Kidd Booksellers (387 Perkins Ext.)

A native Mississippian, Cat Cora's philosophy is to apply a 'go-with-what-you've-got' approach to create simple, sensational meals.

Home cooks will appreciate the way Cora offers to expand their repertoire of recipes that are upscale enough to impress company, but simple enough to use throughout a busy week.

Ole Jose

Encore Restaurant and Bar hosts a Spanish wine dinner on Wednesday, April 18. Saluting Spain, the 2007 honored country of Memphis In May, the dinner will feature wine selections from Bodegas Torres, which was named the Wine Star Award Winner for Best European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2006.

The menu, prepared by Encore chef/owner Jose Gutierrez, will consist of popular dishes that represent the rich and varied culinary diversity of Spain.

Reservations are required. Call Encore, 528-1415.

WKNO-FM is 35

WKNO-FM 91.1 is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month. To celebrate, there's a birthday bash at Davis-Kidd Booksellers Friday at 7 p.m. Susan Marshall is performing, Bronte Bistro is doing food and Swig Martini Bar is bringing martinis.

In addition, Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of "The Splendid Table," will offer her signature culinary commentary on many of the evening's dishes.

Tickets are $35 per couple and are available at Davis-Kidd or by calling WKNO at 325-6560.

Cook for the Cure

Chef Ben Vaughn of River Oaks Restaurant is teaming up with Erling Jensen and Justin Young of Erling Jensen: The Restaurant, Stephen Hassinger of the Inn at Hunt Phelan, Jason Severs of Bari, Antony Field of Timbeaux's on the Square, Jackson Kramer of Interim, and Clay Lichterman of Grill 83 at the Madison Hotel to host the Cook for the Cure dinner party to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The fund-raiser is Thursday, April 19 at River Oaks Restaurant, 5871 Poplar.

Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling River Oaks at 683-9305.

Proceeds will benefit the Memphis affiliate of the Komen Foundation, a group that has been researching and educating women all over the world for more than 25 years in finding ways to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Please share your fabulous food finds and restaurant news with me at jennifer@cookwithjennifer.com.