Food Notes

Food Network chef Melissa d’Arabian and Debbie Shore, co-founder of the food charity Share Our Strength, will be on hand April 15 for the 20th anniversary of Taste of the Nation at Two Wells Fargo Center, 301 S. Tryon St. The annual event lets you sample food and drinks from a couple of dozen Charlotte restaurants while raising money for No Kid Hungry.

Expect 25 restaurants, including BAKU, Fahrenheit, The Fig Tree and Lumiere. Two levels of tickets: $120 is the VIP/Preview, 6-9 p.m., including entrance to the Luxe Lounge; $85 is general admission, starting at 7 p.m. Details: nokidhungry.org/Charlotte.

Want to learn to cook?

▪ Secret Chocolatier in Ballantyne, 11318 N. Community House Road: Pairing wine and chocolate, 7-8:30 p.m. April 15, $25; cake-making and decorating, 2-4 p.m. April 18, $125. Details: www.thesecretchocolatier.com or 704-323-8178.

▪ Cocoa Lab at the Ritz-Carlton, 201 E. Trade St.: Fresh fruits and herbs, 8:30 a.m.-noon April 25; $100. Details: 704-547-2244.

Already know how to cook?

The James Beard Foundation has more than $700,000 available for culinary scholarships for chefs and culinary students, including wine study grants. The application period is open now. Applications must be postmarked by May 15 (June 15 for professional grants). Details: www.jamesbeard.org.

Barbecue is its own reward

Sonny’s Barbecue is looking for Random Acts of Barbecue: You nominate people or groups who “selflessly give their time in their communities with no expectation of recognition.” Throughout May, the restaurant chain will pick winners and surprise them with a catered barbecue for their family and friends. Deadline: April 30 at www.randomactsofbbq.com.

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Food Notes."