Compiled by Churck Martin

Hot dates

• In time for Derby parties, Sheila Lukins (co-author of the Silver Palate books) signs and discusses her new Celebrate! (Workman; $19.95), a cookbook for parties and special occasions, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood's Rookwood Pavilion. 396-8960.

• Napa winemaker Pam Starr, formerly of Spottswoode, leads tastings of her Crocker & Starr Stoneplace Cuvee and Sauvignon Blanc and Cara Rose 7-9 p.m. April 29 at Hyde Park Gourmet Food & Wine. Cost: $15 (includes appetizers). Information and reservations: 533-4329; e-mail: hgpfw@cinternet.net.

Book Look

And you thought you loved chocolate. Author Lora Brody has kept a chocolate diary much of her life, logging her favorite sweet dishes and recipes. She used the diary to help write Chocolate American Style (Potter; $35), which offers more than 120 recipes for the home kitchen - Chocolate Panini, Whoopie Pies, Chocolate-Filled Monkey Bread and more. Brody also includes a primer chapter on weighing, measuring and tempering chocolate, ingredients and equipment.

Sips

Ah, spring, when a young woman's fancy turns to ... pinot gris. Rancho Zabaco's 2002 Pinot Gris Reserve ($14.99, Sonoma County) embodies the season. With aromas of honeysuckle, grass and lemon, this dry white wine brings to mind a sun-drenched meadow. Light and crisp on the palate, it has flavors of lemon, grass and pear. And it's even better with food. A touch of honey emerged on the tongue as I sipped the wine with sauteed shrimp and linguine. Enjoy this pinot on a picnic with someone special - or on the back deck with friends.

Rebecca Goodman E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com.

Cooking schools

Call cooking schools for schedules and fees.

• Cooks' Wares, Shops at Harper's Point, Symmes Township. 489-6400; Marketplace at Settler's Walk, Springboro. (937) 748-4540.

• Cooking School at Jungle Jim's Market, Fairfield. 674-6059; cookingschool@junglejims.com.

• Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking, Dayton. (937) 434-1294; www.dorothylanemarket.com.

• Kremer's Market Cooking Classes, Crescent Springs. 341-1067.

• Ridge Market Cooking Classes, Pleasant Ridge. 366-4760.

• Wild Oats, Rookwood Commons, Norwood. 531-8015.

• Williams-Sonoma Grand Cuisine, Kenwood Towne Centre, 793-3445.