Some news from Mantia's: A cooking class: On Thursday, April 18, at 6:00 PM, "Southeast Regional Cuisine," with Jeffrey Dunham, Executive Chef of the popular Grove Grill. From the Carolinas down, a new style has evolved using new twists to traditional dishes. Chef Jeff presents exciting new dishes, with "themes and variations," to brighten up your winter dinners. The cost is $30 per person with advance reservations required.

A wine tasting: On Friday, April 19, John Adams, of Star Distributors, will present "New Wines from Spain." One of the latest hot spots culinarily, the newest wines coming from Spain are excellent. As always, Chef Patrick Hopper will prepare wonderful tapas to accompany the wines. The cost is $20 per person.

And another function with Chef Bubba: This is one we have promised for a LONG time: a cook-off, Iron Chef style. Or maybe we should call it "The Teflon Chef"!!! On Saturday, March 20 it's finally going to happen. Since Big Mike's mother, Billie Whitfield, has developed problems requiring kidney dialysis on a regular basis, we have decided to make it a benefit with all profits going to the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee in her honor.

At 6:00 PM, each of us will be presented with a bag of groceries, purchased jointly by Darlene Pruett (Mike's wife) and Joanna Martin (our day manager). We will have a set time (yet to be decided) to come up with and prepare a full dinner menu.

We will have two levels of participants: Each of us will accept two assistants, who will be asked for a donation of at least $75 each. In addition, we will have the "audience" who will be asked for a donation of at least $50 per person. During the cooking we will serve appetizers and wine, and at the end, everyone gets to taste it all, and vote for the best. (We haven't come up with a prize for the best...or maybe a forfeit for the loser?) More details will follow, but we will begin taking reservations at once. This is definitely reservation only, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it fill up within hours!

For more information on any of these events, or for reservations, please call 762-8560.