Add spice to your table
at Cuisines of the Sun

The eighth annual Cuisines of the Sun food and wine extravaganza offers "The Spices of Life -- Celebrating Fragrance and Flavor" events Saturday through Tuesday at the Big Island's Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows.

Events include a "Secrets from the Cellar" wine tasting with appetizers by Chicago's celebrated chef Charlie Trotter, 5:30 p.m. Monday, for $40 (kama'aina price); an al-fresco Louisiana feed by TV chef "Emeril --Real and Rustic" Lagasse, 7 p.m. Monday, for $85; and a culminating "Pleasures of the Palace" reception and gala 7 p.m. Tuesday, $120 (palace attire requested).

For other events and a la carte and package prices, call toll free at (888) 424-1977.

O Mavro! Kula zucchini blossom goat cheese fritters top a regional menu by Four Seasons Wailea chef George Mavrothalassitis at a Saturday benefit. Cost is $75 for the Honolulu Club dinner, including wines and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Cancer Research Center. Reserve at 543-3963.

Cigar dinner: Puff on a Dunhill Macanudo 1000, Montecristo Churchill and Partagas Naturale while dining on Italian-Chinese creations prepared by Chef Hing Lim Lee, 6-9:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Ciao Mein restaurant. Guests will enjoy Spicy Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp and Mongolian Sizzle while Frank Orr, Dunhill's humidor specialist, answers questions about cigars. Cost is $75 (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations required. Call 923-2426.

"Some Like It Haute": Chef de Cuisine Yves Garnier from La Mer restaurant at the Halekulani hotel will hold a cooking demonstration, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 on the alfresco Hau Terrace. Garnier will prepare Mushroom Caps Fillet With Snails (or Scampi) and Hazelnut Butter; and, Moano Fillet and Pureed Olives Wrapped in Phyllo Dough With a Provencal Vegetable Compote and Parmesan Wafer. Attendees will be able to taste the creations and speak one-on-one with Garnier. Cost: $60. Seating is limited. Reserve at 923-2311.

"Fat Replacers": Calorie Control Council is offering a free 16-page booklet about fat and the things to do to get in shapel.

A poll taken by Shape Up America! found that 78 percent of obese and overweight adults have stopped dieting to lose weight. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said, "This anti-diet sentiment is very disturbing and provides a renewed sense of urgency that educating Americans about weight control cannot wait."

To help, the Calorie Control Commentary is offering "Fat Replacers." To obtain a free copy, send a request to Calorie Control Commentary, Calorie Control Council, 500G, 5775 Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, Ga. 30342 or e-mail ccc@assnhq.com.

The Calorie Control Commentary notes that diet and exercise combined are still the best way to lose weight. For more information on calories and calorie counting, visit the council's web site at http:// www.caloriecontrol.org.