Photo by Mike Shaw | The Roanoke Times

Before we start this holiday weekend, it’s time for a quick round-up of some food-related news. So here goes:

* On Saturday, Feb. 9, St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Roanoke will hold the annual St. Maron’s Dinner. The dinner is open to the public and will offer many of the favorite Lebanese foods available each year at the Lebanese Festival. The menu will include cabbage rolls, hummus, spinach and feta roll-ups and baked kibbeh.

You’ll need to arrive by 7 p.m. for this seated dinner, which will be held in the church hall. The dinner will also include Lebanese music. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under 12 eat for $10 and takeout is available for $15. St. Elias is located at 4730 Cove Rd. NW, Roanoke. Call the church (540) 562-0012 for tickets and more information.

* A new Chinese restaurant called Marco & Luca is going to open at University Mall in Blacksburg, in the former Quizno’s Subs space. This restaurant already has locations in Charlottesville. Blacksburg reporter Mike Shaw reports that Marco & Luca will have a simple menu of traditional Chinese foods, including their popular dumplings. To read more, click here.

* Way back in April 2012, I reported that Blue Ridge Country Magazine was holding a vote as part of a four-part series about good eats along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Specifically, readers were invited to vote for their favorite food county and favorite food stop located along the parkway.

Well, the winners were … Rockbridge County and Gertie’s Country Store in Vesuvius, Va. I have never been to Gertie’s, but apparently it is famous for its infused pork. That sounds delicious to me. You can read more about the winners in the January/February issue of Blue Ridge Country Magazine. I’m not sure why Rockbridge County won, specifically, but I’m going to pick up an issue and see for myself. And if my travels take me near Vesuvius, I’ll be stopping at Gertie’s.

Have a great weekend!