toledoblade.com -- The Blade ~ Toledo Ohio

The Toledo Opera's production of Romeo & Juliet, which will be presented at the Valentine Theater Oct. 7, 13, and 15, is providing inspiration for the 46th Sapphire Ball.

French food will be featured at the ball, presented by DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, to be held Oct. 28 at The Pinnacle in Maumee.

Toast Moncelet accented with flowers will be among the hors d'oeuvres served at the Sapphire Ball.

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The romantic black-tie event will begin with champagne and cocktails at 7 p.m. Guests will be seated for a vocal interlude with selections from Charles Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, which was written in French and first performed in Paris in 1864, says Loraine Boersma, event co-chair with Traci Schwann. "Most people think it's Italian."

Chef Jean Luc Berger, who is French, has designed a French menu, and with the Pinnacle's executive chef David DuFresne will be creating the dinner. French wines will accompany the delicious foods.

Dinner will begin with appetizers. Cheese fondue made with Emmental, Gruyere, and Appenzeller cheeses will be served with chilled and roasted vegetables. Toast Moncelet, which is asparagus on toast with warm goat cheese, promises to be a favorite. There also will be foie gras, vegetable pate, and baked brie.

The salad of spring mix with walnuts, grape tomatoes, onions, and mandarin oranges with a raspberry vinaigrette will be followed by a choice of four entrees: Rabbit Stew in Red Wine, Sea Bass with Fennel, Filet of Beef, and Champignon Napoleon (a vegetarian portobello stacker).

A decadent dessert, gateau au chocolat, will be served.

Dancing to the KGB band will complete the evening.

Tickets are $175. Proceeds benefit the Toledo Opera. Invitations will be mailed Friday, but reservations may be made now by calling the Toledo Opera at 419-255-SING.

Culinary workshops

The French Culinary Institute in New York City is offering intensive cooking clinics covering a wide range of topics this fall, including Chocolate, Sept. 18-22 and Oct. 23-27; Fondant & Royal Icing, Sept. 25-29; Parisian Breads, Oct. 17-19; Whole Grain Breads, Oct. 24-26, and Tapas Essentials, Oct. 20-21. Prices range from $650 to $950.

For information visit www.frenchculinary.com or call the French Culinary Institute at 646-254-7535.

Chili cook-off

The 2nd annual Wauseon Chili Cook-Off will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in downtown Wauseon. The day will have family entertainment, kids games, a craft show, a farmers market, and a pizza eating contest.

Celebrity judges will be present at the Chili Competition which begins at 11 a.m. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m.

Healthiest fast foods

In the July issue of Fitness magazine, 24 fast foods were considered figure-friendly when eaten in moderation. Among them are KFC Cole Slaw at 190 calories; McDonald's Chicken McNuggets, four pieces at 220 calories; Taco Bell Fresco Style Crunchy Taco at 150 calories; Pizza Hut 12-inch Fit 'N Delicious Pizza, two slices at 340 calories, and Wendy's Large Chili at 330 calories. Finish the chili with an 80-calorie Mandarin Orange Cup.

Green picks

The June/July issue of Mother Earth News featured the top green picnic picks of 2006. You might consider some of them for fall tailgating.

Biodegradable plates are just as sturdy as their paper counterparts, but they're made from cane fibers, a natural byproduct of sugar refining. When the picnic's over, just gather them and toss in the compost pile. But, they're pricey at $21 for 125 plates. Call Treecycle at 406-626-0200.

Tableware utensils made from plastic based on potato starch will decompose in a compost pile. They're 100 percent tree and petroleum free. Cost is $6 for 50 forks, knives, or spoons; Reel Goods; 800-919-2400.

Cups and straws that can go in a compost pile are made from a plastic based on corn. Cost is $9 for 50 cups and $6 for 400 straws, from Eco-Products; call 303-449-1876.

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