Cheese is the word.

Byline: Barbara M. Houle

COLUMN: TABLE HOPPIN'

Smile and say cheese!

Kathryn (Katie) E. Krock, owner of KJ Baaron's Fine Wine & Spirits, 220 Summer St., Worcester, will have a Grand Cheese Tasting, 2 to 6 p.m. May 9 in the store.

Whether you're partial to brie, Gouda or manchego, the event will provide you with a wealth of information about your cheese preferences. Plus, you get a 20 percent discount on cheeses and gourmet food items presented the day of the tasting. There's nothing better than a few salted and roasted almonds with some olives and fresh goat cheese.

Learn tips on how to cut and store different cheeses and how to pair them with wine and beer. Check out what's available on the local scene. Pair a beer with an American blue cheese such as Berkshire Blue.

Krock said "tasting" tables will be set up throughout the store. She's really excited about the event, which not only will help educate consumers, but also will showcase cheeses from around the world.

Remember, cheese enhances so many recipes. Fontina, for example, is wonderful in an Italian baked pasta and eggplant dish that I particularly like. I'll share the recipe one day. Maybe Krock will help to pair it with a Barbaresco.

KJ Baaron's also will host "Corona de Mayo" from 3 to 6 p.m. May 2. You know what that means. Party time!

The event is in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, a May 5 festival of Mexican pride and heritage in the United States.

For more info, call KJ Baaron's, [phone].

Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge will host its semi-annual Grand Wine Tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. May 3 at the store.

Wine director Joe Astukewicz and staff have selected 200 wines to sample.

Astukewicz said the tasting offers a great opportunity to find new favorites and rediscover old ones. I'll sip to that!

If you attend, Yankee Spirits requests a $5 donation to benefit the 2009 Relay for Life of the Greater Southbridge Area.

"National Dine To Make A Difference Day" will take place May 2. Organized by humanitarian and author Susan Skog, the national event is held in conjunction with Dining For Women aimed at raising awareness and money for global hunger.

Dine To Make A Difference encourages people to come together for a meal and donate the money they would have spent to dine out.

For more information and a list of hunger organizations that can benefit, visit http://susanskog.com/dinedifference.html.

OK, all you pastry chef wannabes. This one's for you.

The President Lincoln Birthday Cake Contest, which is part of the Asa Waters Mansion's Lincoln Bicentennial Weekend May 17 at the mansion in Millbury, is open to people who preregister by May 11.

According to the rules, your cake recipe doesn't have to be original. The judges will be more interested in your creativity. Cakes will be brought to the mansion from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 17. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.

A $100 savings bond will be awarded in these categories: Contestants 12 and under; contestants 13 and over; culinary arts school/department student. Pictures of all winning cakes will be posted on the mansion's Web site, www.asawaters.org, for six months.

Call [phone] for more info about preregistration forms. Plan to join the folks at Asa Waters Mansion in celebrating President Lincoln's 200th birthday.

Clear the vocal cords for a chorus of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President."

The Edge in Shrewsbury (former Edgemere Diner on Route 20) is now open from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The place is known to locals for its hot dogs and homemade relishes and meat sauces. The Tuesday special: three hot dogs for $4.

The diner this month introduced Kayem's all-beef natural-casing hot dog. April 30, the first 30 customers who buy one will get a free Kayem pocketknife, according to owner David Kupstas.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 11 a.m. 9 p.m. Saturdays.

If you belong to the Ice Cream Club at The Edge, you get a free cone after you buy 8. Gifford's ice cream is featured.

In 2007, David Ginese of Worcester became the distributor for Brazilian Springs natural spring water in New England. The water made a big splash at the Worcester's Best Chef event last fall.

Ginese said the water in the eco-friendly, recycled plastic bottle (16.9 ounce and 1.5 liter) comes from springs in the foothills of the Quachita Mountains near Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.

The mission of Brazilian Springs is to help and save the disappearing Brazilian rainforests, according to Ginese, who said a portion of the sale of each bottle of water supports the work of the Brazilian Rainforest Preservation Foundation.

Ginese plans to expand business. He currently is a sponsor of the Worcester Rugby Football Club, and has proposals out to the Worcester Tornadoes and the City of Worcester.

You can find Brazilian Springs in local spots, including Laura's Place in Worcester and Jed's Garden Shop in Holden. Hannaford Supermarkets will sell the water next month. Suggested retail is 99 cents a bottle to $1.35, depending on retail outlets.

Friendly Discount Liquors in Whitinsville will have an in-store tasting and seminar at 7 p.m. May 6 featuring Robert Kacher Selections (boutique wine importer), Chevalier de l'Ordre du Merite Agricole.

Speaker Carole Decouard will focus on French wines. The Kacher portfolio contains estate grown wines, most of them organically grown.

Free admission. RSVP to [phone].

What's the Kentucky Derby without a mint julep?

A new twist for May 2: In a cocktail shaker, muddle 2 sprigs of fresh mint and 2 sugar cubes with 2 parts PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and 2 parts bourbon. Add ice and shake ingredients vigorously. Strain into cup or glass with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Movers and shakers did it again.

Taste of the Nation, held Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Worcester, was a huge success.

Event coordinator Audrey Kurlan-Marcy of Shrewsbury credits the amazing show of support from restaurants, businesses and the public for helping to pull it off in tough economic times. Proceeds will benefit the Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury and Rachel's Table in Worcester.

Applause, please: The Crowne Plaza Hotel for 21 years has provided the venue and other necessary services for the local event. Businesses such as Polar Beverages, Austin Liquors, Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge and Bay State Savings Bank also have played a vital role with a host of other sponsors.

This year, Sysco Corp., a national sponsor, helped to incorporate the green theme at the local Taste of the Nation by providing eco products, according to Kurlan-Marcy.

Participating chefs and businesses did an outstanding job. Did you check out the decadent pastries? I spotted someone leaving with a takeout container filled with desserts. Not such a hot idea at a fundraiser. Well, I guess it's better than stuffing them into your handbag.

I say, congratulations, chefs.

If you have a tidbit for this column, call [phone]. Send e-mail to [e-mail].

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: Kathryn (Katie) E. Krock, owner of KJ Baaron's Fine Wine & Spirits, will host a cheese tasting May 9.

PHOTOG: ED COLLIER