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Hi, this is Kathy, Lindsey's editor. Lindsey is taking a day off today, so I'm filling in for her a bit.

Just wanted to alert you to a story about Robert Cooper, a senior in Pulaski County High School's culinary arts program. He is one of six students statewide who has been chosen to work in the kitchen of Guy Fieri, who hosts three programs on the Food Network. Cooper will spend more than eight hours behind the scenes building on the lessons he's picked up in class. It'll be interesting to hear what he learns.

The story ran in today's New River Valley Current. Read it here.

Saturday is Valentine's Day, which means many couples will be making a beeline for their favorite restaurants. Other couples will be staying as far away from their favorite restaurants as possible in an effort to avoid the crazy crowds.

If you're staying home to make a romantic dinner, I'd love to hear what you'll be cooking. I think I'll stick with that plan this year, but I'm still trying to decide what to make. It might be a good night for a big hunk of red meat right off the grill.

For those of you still looking for a night on the town with your sweetie, here are a few options I've heard about:

* Metro! in Roanoke: Valentine's Day specials in addition to the regular menu
* 202 Market has a new City Bar lounge menu that is not Valentine's Day related. They will also have a fixed price tasting option on Saturday in addition to the regular menu.
* Tony Pope Bistro & Wine Bar: A 4-course tasting dinner, with wine, for $65 per person. Pope recently overhauled the menu and is now featuring all French bistro foods at lower prices.
* Local Roots Cafe is offering two tasting menus featuring local food. The 5-course menu is $69 per person; the 10-course option is $159 per person. Wine costs extra.
* The Isaacs Restaurant will have several appetizer and entree specials, as well as a chocolate-banana cheesecake, in addition to their regular menu options.
* Hotel Roanoke and its sister hotel, the Inn at Virginia Tech, are offering tasting menus, live music and lodging packages with sweet extras like champagne and strawberries.
* Blue 5 is offering a limited menu at $50 per person, which includes a complimentary dessert and champagne toast. Entertainment by Valerie McQueen and Friends.
* Bread Craft bakery is selling a treat box consisting of homemade marshmallows dipped in chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-covered apricots and chocolate nut clusters for $10.95. Order as soon as possible.

I'm not intentionally leaving any restaurants off this list; this is just what I've heard about so far. If anyone wants to add a Valentine's special to the list or recommend a favorite romantic spot for others, feel free!

October 11: "Healthy & Delicious Cooking for Food Sensitivities" with Chef/R.N. Laura Pole, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn to create delicious meals without allergens such as gluten, dairy, soy or corn. Location is The Well, 114 North Bridge Street in Bedford. Pre-registration required. Call Linda Burger, 540-587-9000.
October is National Popcorn Popping Month and National Cookie Month. And unlike Election Day, those are much easier to observe. Eat a cookie!
Now through Nov. 8: Holy Trinity Holiday Greek Pastry Sale. Including Baklava, Tiropita and Kataifi. Orders will be available for pick-up at the Roanoke church on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. Call 540-362-3601 to request to receive an order form by email.

Are you about to dig into an eye-popping beauty of a meal or snack? Then, STOP! Before you do, take a photo first, and e-mail it to me at lindsey.nair@roanoke.com.
Your photo could be featured on the Fridge Magnet blog as the Photo of the Week.

Just a reminder: I'm still collecting your recommendations for a list of the sparkliest food gems in Southwest Virginia. Whether it's a terrific chef, a specific dish you cannot stop craving or a great stop for fresh, unusual ingredients, I want to know.
I'm putting the final list together for next week's column. Thanks to everyone who already commented. Your great ideas can be seen here.

Okay, I realize it's not exactly the same, but if Saveur can find 100 extraordinary food finds around the world every year, we should be able to list at least 25 of our favorite dishes, restaurants, markets, chefs and more here in Southwest Virginia.
I'll go first. Here are five picks. Give me yours!

1. Carlos Brazilian's Artichoke-Brie Soup.
2. El Palenque desserts (which are still available, in case you didn't know.)
3. Southwest Virginia Farmer's Markets. The fingerling potatoes! The heirloom tomatoes and beans! The tiny cabbages! The fresh peaches! The possibilities are endless.
4. Floyd County. Face it, they rate high in fine local food producers.
5. Roanoke- and Blacksburg- area ethnic markets. Must explore more.

The folks over at Slashfood or the Amateur Gourmet might accuse me of making a milestone out of a mole hill here, but I don't care. While I was away from the Fridge Magnet blog last week, someone left the 1,000th comment!
Since the FM blog was first launched in March, we have chewed on a whole smorgasbord of topics, from Buffalo wings and pound cakes to new restaurants and service pet peeves.
I promised before I left for the holiday that our 1,000th commentor would win a very special prize. I'd like to announce that the 1,000th comment was left on Dec. 21 by Sherry, who wrote in to talk up the tasty home cookin' over at Thelma's Chicken and Waffles at Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.
Sherry wins a $25 gift certificate to Provisions! All she has to do is get in touch with me at lindsey.nair@roanoke.com to claim her prize.
UPDATED: We never heard from Sherry, so the prize goes to the 1,001st person to comment, Flo. Flo needs to e-mail me to claim her prize.
Happy New Year!

Does anyone out there have a tried-and-true recipe for homemade jerky?
What ingredients and method have you found to be the best?
Whether you make turkey jerky, deer jerky or any other kind, I'd love to hear from you for a future Front Burner column.

Even if you didn't act in time to reserve a pasture-fed or organic turkey from a local farm, it may not be too late for you to serve up an all-natural bird.
I just received word that the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op is going to give away FIVE organic, all-natural Shelton's turkeys this year.
All you have to do is drop by the store between now and next Monday, Nov. 19 and fill out an entry form. Only one entry is allowed per person, per day and no purchase is necessary.
The drawing will be held Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Even if you have already purchased a turkey for Thanksgiving, look at it this way: You'll be prepared in advance for Christmas!