Chef Jeff at MOA

Chef Jeff at MOA Chef Jeff, the Food Network star who discovered a passion for cooking while serving almost a decade in prison for running a drug operation, will be at the Mall of America's Sears Court from 2-4 p.m. Saturday for a cooking demo and book signing. His show, "The Chef Jeff Project," showcases Henderson's work taking six at-risk young adults and trying to turn around their lives within his catering, Posh Urban Cuisine. Check it out at www.foodnetwork.com/the-chef-jeff-project/index.html

Love your veggies Love your kids, love your community. In Hidden Valley Salad Dressings' Search for Veggie Champions contest, 10 moms will win an all-expense-paid trip to Chicago in late April 2009 for two days of educational workshops, field trips, cooking demonstrations and tastings. Winners will receive accommodations for three nights, a spa visit and dinner at Table Fifty-Two. Each retreat winner will also receive $5,000 to start or improve a vegetable garden in her hometown with a designated nonprofit organization. Author and chef Art Smith designed the retreat to help moms help their kids love veggies. The information taught at the retreat will be made available for all parents on LoveYourVeggies.com. Applications and rules are on the website. Deadline is Jan. 15.

Puff the magic pastry Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry has teamed up with cookbook author and baker Camilla Saulsbury, author of "Puff Pastry Perfection," to create some simple yet impressive puff pastry recipes for entertaining. The company also is asking consumers to share their favorite recipes that use its pastry sheets, shells or turnovers. Nine finalists will be selected (three from each category), three of whom will win a weeklong culinary excursion for two to Paris. Entries are due by Dec. 31. Saulsbury's recipes and contest information are at www.puffpastry.com.

Highbush holidays The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has several suggestions for easy and healthful holiday gifts with that sugarplum of antioxidants, the blueberry. Blueberry-Chocolate Clusters require just those two ingredients (although the candy needs to be given within 24 hours), while Blueberry Vinegar may be made now and doled out at will. Check out www.blue berrycouncil.org for these recipes and more. Remember, the USDA recommends that adults eat two cups of fruit a day. So what if it's draped in chocolate?

KIM ODE