By DineHuntington.com/Foodie@longislandernews.com


Tasty Deal: Don’t miss the brother-in-law of Canterbury Ale’s owner Billy when he debuts his new young adult fiction book “Stay With Me.” Author Paul Griffin will discuss and sign the book on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., at Book Revue, directly across the street from Canterbury Ales (314 New York Ave., Huntington 631-549-4404 www.canterburyales.com). Billy said anyone who comes into his pub with a new copy of “Stay With Me” will receive 10 percent off their entire dinner (or lunch or bar) check. Sounds like a great way to feed the body and mind to us.

Films On Food: Dumpster diving in back alleys and gated garbage receptacles, salvaging thousands of dollars worth of edible food… sounds like a documentary, doesn’t it? “Dive!”, inspired by a curiosity about this country's habit of sending food straight to landfills, follows filmmaker Jeremy Seifert and friends as they dumpster dive in the back alleys and gated garbage receptacles of Los Angeles' supermarkets. The film is showing Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. as part of the Let’s Eat! Films on Food series, co-presented by Slow Food Huntington, at Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Ave., Huntington 631-423-7611). Huntington resident John Stepanian, of Long Island Food Not Bombs, is the guest speaker. He is the president/CEO of Community Solidarity, the largest community run grassroots food distribution program on Long Island. Tickets are $9 for members and $13 general admission. Visit www.CinemaArtsCentre.org or call 1-800-838-3006.

Fact Or Fiction: Does chocolate contain caffeine? We love keeping in touch with our friend Roxanne Browning of Exotic Chocolate Tastings for many reasons, and one of them is that she delivers random bits of knowledge on our favorite sweet treat. The answer to the question is… yes and no! Roxanne says commercial chocolate brands do have trace amounts of caffeine, added to keep you consuming. It also has a ton of sugar, which may give you a buzz. Real dark chocolate, however, does not contain caffeine at all. Roxanne tells us the root of the caffeine rumor may be traced to the alkaloid Theobromine, a compound similar to caffeine but that does not have the same stimulant effects. What natural chocolate does have, though, is Phenylethylamine, a mild mood enhancer. Also known as the "love chemical," phenylethylamine is thought to be the reason chocolate is said to be an aphrodisiac.

Calling All MasterChefs: Can you take the heat in the kitchen? Fox is serving up a third season of “MasterChef,” with cast calls in New York. Chef Gordon Ramsay will once again give talented amateur cooks the chance to prove to him, and to fellow judges, restaurateur Joe Bastianich (Del Posto, Eataly) and Chef Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot, Grahamwich), that they have what it takes to make their mark on the culinary world. In the series, Ramsay, Bastianich and Elliot coach and critique the amateur cooks in a series of challenges designed to test their palates, knowledge and determination to follow their dreams. “MasterChef” will travel to more cities than ever before to uncover the country’s very best amateur cooks, with an open casting call from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at New York City’s Flatotel (135 West 52nd St.). Additional casting information, including forms and eligibility requirements, are available online at www.masterchefcasting.com.
Gift Card Offer: Love Prime – An American Kitchen & Bar (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 www.restaurantprime.com)? Share the gift of food with a friend this holiday and get a little something special for you too, for free. Prime is running a holiday gift card offer until Dec. 24. When you order a gift card online using the coupon code “holiday,” you’ll receive a free second gift card with a starting balance of 20 percent of your initial gift card purpose. Eating out was never so easy!

Shake Shack Is Coming To LI: The rumors are true! Shake Shack is coming to Westbury in late 2012. You may have encountered the modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its delicious all-natural burgers, shakes, hot dogs and seasonal frozen custard at Citi Field or in Manhattan. There is always a line, and it’s always worth waiting for. The first Long Island Shack will be built from the ground up within an upcoming development in the heart of Nassau County at 900 Old Country Road (just off of Meadowbrook Parkway). Shake Shack is part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which includes several of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 (located at The Museum of Modern Art), El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American Art, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. Six of the company’s restaurants are included in Zagat’s list of the Most Popular Restaurants in NYC, including the No.1, 3 and 5 spots. www.ushgnyc.com.

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