MORSELS

Chaowasaree signs new cookbook

Chef Chai Chaowasaree's new cookbook, “;The Island Bistro Cookbook,”; is in bookstores and he's beginning a round of book signings this weekend.

The Watermark Publishing release includes 90-plus recipes from Chaowasaree's Honolulu restaurants, Chai's Island Bistro and Singha Thai Cuisine. It sells for $32.50 at bookstores, online booksellers and direct from the publisher at www.bookshawaii.net.

The chef's signature dish, Kataifi and Macadamia Nut-Crusted Black Tiger Prawns, is included, along with such colorful offerings as Pad Thai Noodles with Crab Claws and Eggplant Souffle.

Meet Chaowasaree at these appearances:

Saturday: 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall

Jan. 31: 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble Ala Moana; 2 p.m. Borders Ward Centre

Feb. 7: 2 p.m. Borders Waikele

Feb. 21: 1 p.m. Borders Windward Mall

Pahoa woman cooks up a winner

Kara Adanalian of Pahoa is Hawaii state finalist in this year's National Chicken Cooking Contest, the first step toward a $50,000 grand prize.

Adanalian's recipe for Chicken Ararat with Bulghur Pilaf is being judged against four other recipes from the Pacific region. If Adanalian wins at that level, she'll claim a $1,000 prize and travel to the national cook-off in San Antonio in May.

Her Chicken Ararat starts with chicken breasts coated with falafel mix, which are then fried. They're served on a bed of noodles mixed with bulghur wheat, and topped with a yogurt dressing.

The competition, sponsored by the National Chicken Council, offers one of the top three prizes among national cook-offs.

Build vocabulary while sipping wine

The Wine Stop hosts a Sunday Seminar, “;Putting Flavors and Aromas into Words,”; 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25.

If you've wondered where such wine descriptions as “;dark cherry in the nose; hints of lychee on the palate”; come from (we are dealing with a drink made of grapes, after all), this class will offer some clues to the mystery.

Cost is $25, with food and wine samples included. Reservations required: 946-3707.

The Wine Stop also offers free wine tastings from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. This week features Spanish wines, followed next week by small-vineyard Italian wines and Jan. 31 with Australian labels. A free “;Pau Hana Friday Wine & More Tasting”; runs 4 to 8 p.m. this week and 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

The Wine Stop is at 1809 S. King St. Visit www.thewinestop hawaii.com.

Vegan dinners return for new year

Leslie Ashburn's Vegan Macrobiotic Community Dinners at Church of the Crossroads are back for the new year, with two in January:

Next Wednesday: Navy Bean and Barley Soup, Arame with Onions and Carrots, Mohala Farm Greens and Sweet Potatoes

Jan. 31: Emerald Pea Soup, Garbanzo Beans with Sweet Vegetables, Mohala Farm Greens with Sunflower Seed Dressing and Dulse Salad with corn and onion

Cost is $13; $3.50 for dessert (Brown Rice Pudding the first week; Double Chocolate Chip Cookies the second) and tea. Dinners are served eat-in or take-out from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations: 398-2695 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Visit www.macrobiotichawaii.com.