'Preserving the Harvest' offers basics of canning

If you're putting in a vegetable garden this year, this workshop is for you.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a series of "Preserving the Harvest" hands-on workshops on food preservation that will teach you the basics of canning and freezing.

The first workshop is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 2 at the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program at 84A Union St. in Brunswick. The registration deadline has passed for that workshop, but others will be held:

• June 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 86, 15 Lewiston Road, Gray. Registration deadline is June 4.

• June 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Casco Fire Station, 637 Meadow Road, Casco. The registration deadline is June 12.

• June 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Prides Corner Congregational Church, 235 Pride St. (off Route 302) in Westbrook. Registration deadline is June 16.

All participants should bring a potholder to class. The workshops will be led by Kathy Savoie of the Cumberland County extension service,

The workshops cost $10 per person. Make checks payable to CCEA and in the memo section write "Preserving the Harvest" with the date of the session you are attending. Mail checks to "Attn: Lois Elwell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300. Register by phone by calling 780-4205 or 1-800-287-1471.

Contest should appeal to serious cheeseheads

Quel fromage! Cheese lovers, this is your contest: The Cheeses of France Marketing Council is sponsoring a "Springtime in Paris" sweepstakes that includes round trip air fare for two to Paris; a five-day, four-night stay in the heart of the St.-Germain-des-Pres district; a tailored wine-and-cheese tasting and dinner at a Parisian restaurant; an "artisanal cheesemaking experience"; and $500 in spending money.

To register, go to www.cheesesoffrance.com by May 31 and take a cheese quiz that shouldn't be hard if you're a cheese whiz.

Sounds gouda.

ROCKLAND

Maine Lobster Festival seeks amateur chefs for contest

Amateur chefs, get ready to rumble. It's time again for the annual Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest.

The festival will be held this year from July 29 through Aug. 2 along the city's waterfront. Applications for the cooking contest will be considered until July 10, and the five contestants who are selected will be notified by July 17. Judges will be looking for creativity, suitability of the seafood to the recipe, appearance, eye appeal, simplicity and taste. The recipes must contain seafood found in Maine waters.

The contest will take place at 9 a.m. July 31 in the north entertainment tent on the festival grounds. First prize is $200, second prize is $175 and third prize is $150.

For more details or to download an application form, go to the festival's Web site or contact Kelly Woods at media@mainelobsterfestival.com or (207) 691-7282.

CAMDEN

Natalie's chef invited to cook with Allegretti

Lawrence Klang, executive chef at Natalie's in Camden, has been invited to prepare a multi-course dinner with Alain Allegretti, chef-owner of Allegretti in New York City on June 10.

The theme of the dinner is "La Provence Meets Midcoast Maine." Maine ingredients will be featured in Klang's classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Lincolnville's Cellardoor Winery will be represented as well.

The New York Times called Allegretti one of the 10 best new restaurants of 2008.

SKOWHEGAN

Kneading Conference all about bread and baking

Mark...