What's Cooking: Latke vs. hamentash

By KIM ODE, Star Tribune

Last update: February 20, 2008 - 2:19 PM

You'd think, after nine years, they'd have settled this thing. The annual Latke-Hamentash Debate convenes for the 10th time at 7:15 p.m. March 2 at the Coffman Union Theater, 300 Washington St. SE. on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota. The latke, or potato pancake, is traditionally served on Hanukkah. The hamentash, a triangular pastry, is traditionally served on Purim. The debate as to which is the superior food originated in 1946 and lightheartedly follows the Jewish practice of kidding teachers and mimicking rabbinical tradition during Purim. The debate is sponsored by Hillel, the university's Jewish Student Center. Admission is $5, free for students. A reception with latkes and hamentashen will follow. Donors of $50 or more per person will be invited to a pre-debate light dinner with the panelists at 5:30 p.m. and get reserved seating at the debate. For more information, contact Sarah Routman at sroutman@umn.edu or 612-379-4026. Baristas, start your steamers

The jitters are coming.

From May 2-5, the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 2008 U.S. Barista Championship comes to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Hosted by Krups, the competition takes place in conjunction with the SCAA's annual Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition. Competitors prepare and serve 12 orders -- four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation -- all within 15 minutes. And all while bantering with the audience. Complete details for SCAA's 20th Annual Conference & Exhibition are available at conference.scaa.org/.

Text when you're tempted

Cell phones now carry a screenful of willpower. Of course, you still have to be willing to listen. Diet.com has launched Nutrition on the Go, a text-messaging service that lets you check out the calories, carbs and fat of common items at 1,700 places. Send a text message to 34381 with the name of the restaurant and the item you plan to order. Prepare to be surprised when the counts for calories, fat and carbs come up. Prepare, also, to be frustrated. Type in Caribou Coffee and you get the results for a Strawberry Banana Smoothie. There are 39,000 items in the database, but the system still draws a blank on several foods. To test the service online, visit diet.com/mobile.