'Party' to benefit Worcester Youth Orchestras.

• Author: Houle, Barbara M.
• Position: Living

Byline: Barbara M. Houle

The Wine Vine, 142 Highland St., Worcester will have a "Grand Tasting, Music and Art Event'' from 1 to 4 p.m. May 17 at the store.

It's a party you don't want to miss.

The Wine Vine owners Camille and Sang Chhoeuk, who have operated the store for nine years, will host the event in collaboration with the Prints and the Potter Gallery, 142 Highland St., Worcester, which celebrates 40 years in business, and the Worcester Youth Orchestras, celebrating its 67th year.

The "party'' is free to the public, and guests will sample wines, hors d'oeuvres, local cheeses and teas, breads and cakes.

The Wine Vine has selected eight wines for the tasting, with wine and raffle sales to benefit the Worcester Youth Orchestras scholarship program.

Jonathan Brennand is artistic director of the Worcester Youth Orchestras. Members of WYO will provide live music at the event.

Norman Ringdahl, owner of Prints and the Potter Gallery, located next door to the Wine Vine, said local artists would do plein air (outdoor) painting during the event.

The Prints and the Potter Gallery originally opened as Chandler Street Crafts and later moved to Park Avenue in Worcester as the Prints and the Potter Gallery, according to Ringdahl. The business has been at its Highland Street location for 34 years, he said.

If you need more info about the event, call the Wine Vine at (508) 797-9463.

Enjoy, and support local businesses!

The Culinary Arts Program at Tantasqua Regional Senior High School in Fiskdale will have its annual Team Chef Competition from noon to 3 p.m. May 3 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, 366 Main St., Sturbridge.

Admission is $10 per person; $5 for children younger than 10. Proceeds benefit the culinary arts scholarship at Tantasqua.

The fundraiser offers fantastic food tastings prepared by culinary students teamed up with local chefs.

I look forward to judging the competition.

See you there!

The Kennebunkport Festival in Kennebunkport, Maine, is scheduled June 3-8.

The celebration of the best food, wine and art that Maine has to offer showcases prominent chefs at 40 events, including cocktail parties, intimate gourmet dinners, a gala party, grand tasting event, art shows, after-parties and an outdoor concert.

One of the events, "Wood Fired Maine,'' will have chef Jody Adams of Rialto and Trade restaurants in Boston, with Chef Melissa Kelly of Primo in Rockland, Maine, chef Dustin Walker of Earth in Kennebunkport and chef...