Table talk

The 6th Annual Utah Chocolate Show takes place Nov. 20-21, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., at the South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State. Chocolatiers and confectioners will have their products on display for sampling and shopping.

At 4 p.m. on Nov. 21, Raymond Lammers, pastry chef of Stein Eriksen Lodge, will do a free question-and-answer session for chocolate lovers. Lammers was named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America by Dessert Professional magazine.

Other free demonstrations will cover topics such as brownies, cookies, popcorn gifts, chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, dark chocolate chile barbecue sauce, savory mole dinners and chocolate dipping. Hands-on specialty classes include chocolate basics, cookies, dipped apples, truffles, sugared almonds and a fine-chocolate tasting. Classes are $10-$20 and can be reserved at utahchocolateshow.com.

Twenty-plus wedding cakes will be on display, and the public can vote for favorites. Tickets are $7 (utahchocolateshow.com).

King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, is hosting a book signing by Anne Byrn, author of "The Cake Mix Doctor Returns," Nov. 18, 7 p.m. A gift basket of OXO cooking/baking utensils will be given away; guests who bring non-perishable food for the Utah Food Bank will receive one raffle ticket per item (801-484-9100 or www.kingsenglish.com).

Bambara will offer a prix fixe dinner menu highlighting local Utah growers in support of National Farm-City Week Nov. 20-25. Created by executive chef Nathan Powers, the three-course dinners are $33 per person. Bambara will be closed Thanksgiving Day. (801-363-5454 or www.bambara-slc.com).

A Weight Loss Challenge will launch Nov. 19, 7 p.m., at 2547 S. 3425 West, West Valley City. The brainchild of Kaylene Cragun, this 12-week nonprofit course was inspired by the "Biggest Loser" television show. The one-time $29 entry fee will fund the cash and prizes to the top three contestants who lose the biggest percentage of their weight.

Participants may use any weight-loss program they'd like, whether it is Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Herbalife or a customized plan of their own (801-908-7158).

Deer Valley Resort and the resort's director of food and beverage, Julie Wilson, were awarded the Utah Restaurant Association's Golden Spoon Restaurateur of the year award. Wilson has been at Deer Valley since the resort opened in 1981 and has been the food and beverage director more than 25 years (deervalley.com).

Lion House rolls, brownies and raspberry-muffin mixes are now available in Associated Food stores, as well as Deseret Book and Nauvoo Cafe. The boxed mixes retail for $3.99 each (deseretbook.com).

El Pollo Loco has brought chicken tamales back to its menu. The seasonal favorites will be available through New Year's Day (www.elpolloloco.com).

e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com