It's already May, and Mother's Day is fast approaching. If you're a mother, it's your turn to be pampered and fussed over. Unfortunately my mother and mother-in-law both live too far away for us to bring them breakfast in bed, but our thoughts - and gratitude - are with them.

This is also the time for Cinco de Mayo so get ready for a Latin twist. May we suggest you try the delicious Churros and Mexican hot chocolate that Chef Lucy prepares? She has provided the recipes especially for you.

May is also "Eat Local" month. If you want to learn more about this fast-growing trend, you can start by visiting this web site. You can also read the 10 reasons to eat local.

One day is simply not enough to show Mom how much we care. We're voting for a whole week of treats!

Now you can treat your mother (and yourself) to a wonderful "high tea" class in honour of Mother's Day. Dan Winans will show you how to bake the most tempting treats and then you'll get to eat them. What better way to spend some quality time together with Mom?

OK, we know that this is not the true, traditional British "high tea"... So, what is "high tea"? According to The Food Lover's Companion, high tea is "[A] British tradition ...a late-afternoon or early evening meal, usually quite substantial. It originated in the 19th century as a simple, early workingman's supper....". Our tea will be more pampering than that, I promise you!

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Lucy is sharing her delicious recipe for Churros and Mexican Hot Chocolate. You will not be able to resist these tasty treats.

In honour of Mother's Day, Judith has reviewed this book for all of us. I already own the book as a friend of mine contributed to it. The friend, Sue Clark-Johnson, is a fabulous cook so I knew that any book featuring her recipe must have other great recipes too.

Judith and I both hope you'll find this warm and loving book as much fun as we did. Happy Mother's day!

Come and taste the best in jams, mustards, wines, and more at In Good Taste's free open house. This is your chance to enjoy some of the best that Oregon has to offer.

South Africa is known the world over for its wonderful hospitality. Anyone who has ever been there will know exactly what I'm talking about. Now you can enjoy that same hospitality at a wine dinner which will feature some of the best South African wines available in Portland.

To make the meal really authentic, we have persuaded John Gorham of Viande Meats to make traditional boerewors according to my family's recipe. We'll also throw in some real South African treats for you to try, including something special from our cellar. (Hint to any South Africans out there: Mrs. Ball will provide one of the treats!)

Join us at this special evening!

Do you love Indian food as much as we do? We've been fans for years and it's obvious if you look at our cookbook selection in the store. We're thrilled that we can now offer more Indian cooking classes as we have a new instructor, Leena Ezekiel, who teaches authentic Indian cooking.

One of her classes was just featured in the Pearl District pull-out section of the Portland Tribune. The lovely article was entitled "You, too, can do a nice Vindaloo" (by Liz Gadberry). We are very proud of Leena!

If you want to cook Indian foods at home, we now stock some of those hard-to-find Indian spices in the store for your convenience.

As a reminder, you can now pay for your classes online using PayPal.

"In 1976, the wine world experienced a seismic shift. France lost its position as center of the wine universe when two California wines won a blind tasting in Paris" (From Copia's web site). This month, exactly 30 years later, Copia will host a special blind tasting to sample the finest New and Old World wines to see who triumphs now. Check out the tasting on their web site (see "Quick Links").

If you can't make it to Napa but you'd like to experience a similar tasting closer to home, Lisa Shara Hall will be hosting one here at In Good Taste a week or so later.

Grilling season is now upon us - hooray!. And we have two of our favourite things to help us get started: Diane Morgan's fabulous "Salmon" cookbook (still the best) and the new Wild River Grilling Cedar planks. You should check these out. The planks come in re- useable (20 times) stainless steel sets. We heard about them first from Diane Morgan and we are so glad we did. They just arrived in the store so check them out on your next visit.