About 80 people attended the palmbeachpost.com’s Fall Tweetup at Brio Tuscan Grille in Palm Beach Gardens Thursday night.

A scattering of costumes gave the free event a festive flair, as local folks who know each other only from the online social media site Twitter met in person over appetizers and Halloween treats.

Check out this photo gallery, where “tweeps” are identified by their twitter names.

To follow @pbpost (the post’s main Twitter account) click here.

To see all the many Post staffers who tweet, click here.

Special thanks to Duree Ross of Duree & Company in Fort Lauderdale and Michial Rachaner, General Manager
of Brio Tuscan Grill for making the event perfect.

ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1925 Birkdale Drive, on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and Birkdale Drive, Wellington. (561) 793-4999.

World Food Day, 6:30 p.m. Friday. The church is holding a pot luck dinner to observe World Food Day. Please bring a dish to share.

AMICI RISTORANTE & BAR, 375 South County Rd., Palm Beach. (571) 832-0201.

Celebrity Bartending, 6-9 p.m. today. Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida will be hosting a Celebrity Bartender Evening. There is no charge for this event, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and valet parking provided by Amici.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 1400 Glades Road, Suite 110, Boca Raton. (561) 447-0000.

Perfect Match Weekend, the month of October. All local Whole Foods branches are offering the chance to win A Perfect Match Weekend giveaway to the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. One Grand Prize winner will receive a two-night/three-day Getaway, two Walt Disney World Florida Resident Annual Passes, two tickets to the Party for the Senses, and VIP Seating for two for an Eat to Beat Concert. Visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ for more information.

Savvy Shopper Tour, 2-3 p.m. Thursday. A tour designed to help customers find savings, value, and healthy products. Free.

Abby’s Kitchen Creations: Germany, 6-8 p.m. Friday. In lieu of Oktoberfest celebrated every year in Germany, Abigail and guest Chef Bill Schwarz will demonstrate some traditional German cuisine served with beer. $5.

Raw Foods Store Tour, 7-8 p.m. Monday. Free.

Cooking for the Seasons: Fall, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday. Chef Abigail will show you how to shop with the seasons with recipes that give you a fall flavor. $5.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. (561) 691-8550.

Stress, Food & Balance, 7-8 p.m. Monday. Registered & Licensed Dietitian Michelle Parenti, MS, RD, LD/N will guide you to what foods are best for stress and what lifestyle changes will keep you balanced and maintaining a healthy weight. Free.

PUBLIX APRON’S COOKING SCHOOL, Polo Club Shoppes, 5030 Champion Blvd., Suite D2, Boca Raton. (561) 994-4461 or (561) 994-4883.

The Basics of Culinary, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. A six-part series. Prepare full menus with techniques used by pros. $300.

Eating Your Way To Wellness, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The chef will show you how to eat well, feel well, and still look good. $40.

Fondue for You, 6 p.m. Friday. In this class you will learn a few simple and easy methods in making fondue. $35.

It’s Game Day, 10 a.m. Saturday. Learn recipes to impress football crowds. $40.

Intermediate Techniques, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday. For food enthusiasts with a significant comfort level in sautéing, slicing, and dicing. $200.

Cooking for 1 or 2, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday. This series will give you new and delicious meal ideas for your entire week while helping you plan out smaller portions. $200.

IN THE KITCHEN, in Gallery Square North, 389 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta. (561) 747-7117 or www.inthekitchennow.com/

Mangia Mama Italian Favorites, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. $75.

Tempting Tapas, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. $75.

CAKES ETC., 2800 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. (561) 615-4431.

Basic Cake Decorating Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today. $40 plus supplies.

Intermediate Cake Decorating Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. $40 plus supplies.

Rolled Fondant/Gumpaste, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Thursday for two weeks. $40 plus supplies.

AREA GREENMARKETS:
Lake Worth High School Flea Market, 5 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Lake Worth Road, under the Interstate 95 overpass, between the Tri-Rail station and Lake Worth High School. (561) 439-1539.

Off to Market, the Boca Raton Greenmarket 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton. (561) 368-6875. http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/specialevents/greenmarket/index.shtm

Oceanside Farmers Market at Lake Worth, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Lake Avenue, Lake Worth. (561) 283-5856 or (561) 547-3100; www.oceanside-farmersmarket.com/

Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, along the Indian River Lagoon in historic downtown Fort Pierce, east of the Fort Pierce Jazz Society’s Arts & Craft Market and between the Marina and the Library on Melody Lane. (772) 940-1145. www.ftpiercefarmersmarket.com/

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket, opens 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, along Second Street and Narcissus Avenue, downtown West Palm Beach. (561) 822-1515. wpb.org/greenmarket/.
Delray GreenMarket, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Southeast Fourth Avenue in the first block south of Atlantic Ave. (561) 276-7511.

Abacoa Green Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Abacoa Town Center, Crescent and Town Center Drives, Jupiter. (561) 756-3600.

The cook: Roger Dikon of Jupiter

His story: I grew up in New Jersey and Vermont and went to college in Maine and Vermont. I am married and have two children, a 20-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son.

I have had tours as a chef in Killington, Vt., Rock Resorts in the American and British Virgin Islands, and Jackson Hole, Wyo., Florida, California and Hawaii.

I was an executive chef for 17 years at two major hotels in Hawaii. I was one of the founders and co-developers of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, along with 11 other Hawaiian chefs, among them Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong and Sam Choy. We formed Hawaiian Regional Cuisine Inc., a not-for-profit organization designed to promote the “new cuisine of Hawaii” through the creative use and cooking of Hawaii’s agricultural products and foods of the sea.
Read the full story

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN RESTAURANTS, www.fromhungertohope.com

World Hunger Relief Campaign, during the entire month of October (Global Hunger Awareness Month), all local KFC chains will collect donations to raise awareness and help stop world hunger.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 1400 Glades Road, Suite 110, Boca Raton. (561) 447-0000.

Perfect Match Weekend, the month of October. All local Whole Foods branches are offering the chance to win A Perfect Match Weekend giveaway to the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. One Grand Prize winner will receive a two-night/three-day Getaway, two Walt Disney World Florida Resident Annual Passes, two tickets to the Party for the Senses, and VIP Seating for two for an Eat to Beat Concert. Visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com for more information.

Wines from Spain, 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, J.C. from Stacole Wines, will take you on an hour journey of wine and cheese tasting. $10

Guest Chef from Seasons 52, 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Seasons 52 is a casually sophisticated grill and wine bar that invites you to discover the sensational flavors of a seasonally changing menu. Free.

Eating, Exercise, Energy, & Metabolism: Key Components to Permanent Weight Loss, 6-7 p.m. Monday. Free.

PUBLIX APRON’S COOKING SCHOOL, Polo Club Shoppes, 5030 Champion Blvd., Suite D2, Boca Raton. (561) 994-4461 or (561) 994-4883.

The Basics of Culinary, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. A six-part series. Prepare full menus with techniques used by pros. $300.

The Shoestring Gourmet, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Learn to create some great, family-pleasing dishes that won’t break the bank. $35.

Crepes, 6 p.m. Friday. Learn how to make these French favorites. $40.

Big, Bad, Bold Italian Reds, 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Explore Italy’s red wine offerings. $45.

Intermediate Techniques, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday. For food enthusiasts with a significant comfort level in sautéing, slicing, and dicing. $200.

IN THE KITCHEN, in Gallery Square North, 389 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta. (561) 747-7117 or www.inthekitchennow.com

Classic Steakhouse Favorites, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today. $75.

American Harvest Wine Dinner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. $85.

Mangia Mama Italian Favorites, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 20. $75.

Tempting Tapas, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. $75.

CAKES ETC., 2800 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. (561) 615-4431.

Basic Cake Decorating Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today for four weeks. $40 plus supplies.

Cookie Blossom Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday. $25, supplies included.

Intermediate Cake Decorating Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. $40 plus supplies.

Rolled Fondant/Gumpaste, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 for two weeks. $40 plus supplies.

By MIKE SUTTER

Chef Tom Valenti is clear about one thing: “There is no such thing as a diabetes diet.”

But there is such a thing as balance for people with diabetes, something Valenti found out 14 years ago when he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. For Valenti, the diagnosis was especially pointed. As a chef, he is surrounded constantly by the starches, sweets and excesses that can spell disaster for someone whose body has trouble processing sugar in the blood.

His restaurants — Ouest and West Branch in New York City — are full-tilt temples to New American cooking, with no compromises made for the diabetic chef. The pursuit of flavor drove Valenti to co-write a new cookbook with Andrew Friedman, You Don’t Have to Be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook (Workman Publishing, $19.95). It preserves the comforts, adventures and tastes of real food in dishes that people with diabetes can live with.

Don’t bother looking for nonfat cream cheese or artificial sweeteners in this book. Instead, try lobster bisque with ribbons of tarragon or spaghetti-squash spaghetti or mint chocolate pot de creme. There’s a section devoted to sandwiches, wraps and quesadillas, including a steakhouse wrap with filet mignon.

Read the full story

This week’s bar: Zed451

The scene: Think urban chic. This American reinterpretation of a churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) is a sleek hangout that appeals to Boca Raton’s sophisticated set. The long bar area also features a patio for outdoor socializing. And since Zed451 is in Mizner Park (in the former cartoon museum space), it’s a great place to unwind after a shopping expedition.

Signature cocktail: The Stoned Pyrate ($12), a summer libation if ever there was one. That’s because the cocktail makes smart use of warm-weather fruits (mangos, plums). And the “pirate” in the name refers to Pyrat rum, a high-end spirit with a distinctly fruity flavor.

Other noteworthy libations: Zed451′s bar is a place for serious mixology, with drinks that make use of unusual ingredients, fresh juices and specialty spirits. Among the favorites: California Crush (with Reyka vodka and freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice, $10) and Cherry Sangria ($5 for a glass, $27 for a pitcher). There’s also an extensive wine list.

Bar bites: Even though Zed 451 puts plenty of emphasis on its $39 all-you-can-eat spread (with grilled meats and a plentiful salad bar), it also has a separate value-priced “Cravings” bar menu. Choices range from warm spiced nuts, $2 (thoroughly addictive!) to sliders ($2 to $5 each depending on toppings) made with linguica (a Brazilian sausage). In all, the fare is much better than the ho-hum bar norm.

Music and more: The patio is the place to be: Look for live acoustic music on most nights.

Info: 201 Plaza Real (in Mizner Park), Boca Raton; (561) 393-3451; zed451.com

T H E C O C K T A I L

Stoned Pyrate

1¼ ounces Pyrat rum

¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

¾ ounce simple syrup

Mango, fresh, cut into three 1/2-inch cubes

Plum, fresh, cut into two 1/2-inch slices

In a shaker, muddle together plum, mango, lime juice and simple syrup. Add Pyrat rum and ice. Shake twice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and top with a splash of soda. Garnish with a wedge of plum.

It’s a salsa, it’s a salad — or a maybe even a side.

Black beans, mango and smoky chipotle chilies create a colorful confetti begging either tortilla chips or a spoon, we certainly don’t care which.

Spoon this lusty concoction over grilled fish, atop fajitas or toss together a double batch for your next potluck.

Make it your own by substituting whatever fresh fruits and herbs look best to you. Try peaches, nectarines or pineapple; mint or sweet basil can stand in for the fresh cilantro.

Read the full story

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Preregister at customer service. (561) 447-0000

The Whole Deal: Build a Better Lunch, 6-7 p.m. today. Count your colors, not your pennies; measure your portions and the healthy savings will add up! Suggested donation of $1-$5.

Girls’ Night Out, 6:30-8 p.m. Friday. Enjoy a night full of little bites each paired with wine while you get to design your very own floral arrangement. $15

Guest Chef: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 1-2 p.m. Saturday. P.F. Chang’s goal is to attain harmony of taste, color and aroma by balancing the Chinese food principles. Free.

Cheese: The Best from the U.S., 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Taste assorted cheeses from America. $5.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. Preregister at customer service. (561) 691-8550

American Artisan Cheese Tasting, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Sample cheeses each Saturday. Free.

Be Good to Your Whole Body: Healthy Kids, 5-6 p.m. Thursday. The vitamin specialist’s natural approaches to help kids stay healthy. Free.

PUBLIX APRON’S COOKING SCHOOL, Polo Club Shoppes, 5030 Champion Blvd., Suite D2, Boca Raton. (561) 994-4461 or (561) 994-4883.

Pizza Pizzazz, 6 p.m. today. Apron’s chefs show you how to make it, roll it, and bake it! $35

Suvir Saran, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Celebrity chef demonstration. $50

The Basics of Culinary, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday. A six-part series. Prepare full menus while focusing on techniques used by professionals. $300

Hispanic Techniques, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday. $150

IN THE KITCHEN, Everything for the Cook! Gallery Square North, 389 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta. Reservations. Phone: (561) 747-7117. www.inthekitchennow.com

Mangia Mama Hits the Road , 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday. Favorite recipes from Mangia Mama’s travels! $64.

CAKES ETC., 2800 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. (561) 615-4431.

Advance Candy Molding Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday. Tuition is $25, supplies included.

This Labor Day more than 78,000 visitors from all over the country will flock to Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, N.Y., for the 8th Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival.

The festival features a variety of activities including the U.S. Chicken Wing Eating Championships and National Wing Sauce-Off Competition. In addition, attendees will learn the savory secrets of lip smacking sauces and the legendary lore surrounding the history of Buffalo wings.

An encore performance this year includes the Celebrity Chef Challenge, sponsored by Frank’s® RedHot® Cayenne Pepper Sauce, the original sauce used to create the first-ever Buffalo Wings in 1964.

Celebrity chef Kevin Roberts, executive chef, cookbook author and radio personality, returns to Buffalo to challenge the official “Wing King,” Drew Cerza, once again. Roberts will also have several solo performances center stage where he’ll cook up his award-winning recipes from recent appearances during the Super Bowl and March Madness.

In addition to its place in wing history as the original wing sauce, Frank’s RedHot is the hot sauce of choice in recipes created by restaurant chefs around country. To find out more about the National Buffalo Wing Festival visit www.buffalowing.com.

This week’s bar: Forte

The scene: This is where downtown West Palm Beach comes to party — in a sophisticated way. Forte is a little less over-the-top and South Beach-y than it used to be under previous management, but it’s still got a cool, lounge-like vibe. The restaurant’s new menu focuses more on value-priced Italian fare, but the cocktail menu, developed under former sommelier Josh Liberman, remains the most creative one you’ll find locally. Read the full story