Table talk

Emigration Market is hosting a "Save Our Three Turkeys" drive to raise money for the Family Support Center. The market has three turkeys living outside its store at 1706 E. 1300 South until Nov. 24. The turkeys will be spared from the Thanksgiving table this year if the market can raise $3,000 in community donations. Patrons can purchase paper turkeys for a donation of $2, $5 or more. A pint of Dreyer's ice cream will go to the first 200 donors of $5 or more.

The money will go to the Family Support Center's child-abuse prevention and treatment programs. (581-0138)

McDonald's restaurants will sell paper cutout hands for $1 through Nov. 20 to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The event kicks off World Children's Day at McDonald's, Nov. 18-20, where 15 cents from every Extra Value Meal, Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal will go to the charity. Last year, customers at the 112 McDonald's restaurants in Utah, western Wyoming and eastern Nevada purchased more than 50,000 hands and helped to raise $73,487.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary this year, Ronald McDonald Houses have provided more than 10 million families with temporary residences near medical facilities where their children are being treated for serious illnesses. The Intermountain area has three such houses in Salt Lake City. (363-4663 or www.rmhslc.org)

Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville has hired Elio Scanu as its new executive chef. Scanu most recently worked at Intermezzo Restaurant in Merida, Venezuela. He was a cuisine director and instructor at the Hotel School of the Venezuelan Andes, and in 1997 he was designated an honorary "Chevalier" from Chevalier de la Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, the international organization of gourmets. At Snowbasin, he supervises all food preparation and manages the resort's kitchen staff.

The new Zagat Survey of America's Top Restaurants lists the following Utah eateries as the best places for food: Tree Room at Sundance, Red Iguana, Deer Valley's Mariposa and Seafood Buffet, Michelangelo, Stein Eriksen Lodge's Glitretind, Fresco Italian Cafe, Metropolitan, Martine and Chez Betty. Ten others deemed "noteworthy" are Bambara, Chimayo, Cucina Toscana, L'Avenue, Log Haven, Lugano, Market Street restaurants, New Yorker Club, Snake Creek Grill and Wahso.

The restaurant guide notes some of the key trends influencing diner's choices are small plates, Asian cuisines, health consciousness and BATH (better alternative to home).

Grocery Outlet shopper Jack Riggs of West Jordan won a two-minute shopping spree for himself and an additional two-minute spree for his favorite charity at the Taylorsville store's "Basket Bonanza" giveaway on Oct. 30.