The Week In Eats

Chabaa's Spicy Contest, Rachael Ray Book Tour. Running of the Santas, Holiday Afternoon Tea, The Deen Boys: Holiday Helpers

by Amy Strauss

At Chabaa Thai, chef Chyna Krapugthong shows little mercy when it comes to her mastery of Thailand's chiles, curries, pastes and dry roasted herbs. But to qualify as a true hardass, you must put your taste buds to the test by entering her spicy eating contest. From now until Feb. 14, stop by and request an application to participate. Outside of the paperwork, entrants must consume an entree cooked at a top spice level while servers grade your performance. You'll be contacted at a future date if your rock-solid stomach impresses. (Only five will make it to the final round.) The winner of the final challenge receives a $1,000 gift card to the restaurant; runners-up receive $50-$200 prizes. Chabaa Thai, 4371 Main St., 215-483-1979, www.chabaathai.com.

Rachael Ray, the cooking maven, entrepreneur and TV host whose mug seems to be plastered on every product in the supermarket, is touring in support of her latest kitchen helper, 2, 4, 6, 8: Great Meals for Couples and Crowds (Clarkson Potter). The quick-eats book features recipes for party foods (wingless buffalo chicken pizza, sweet and spicy sausage hoagies) and offers tips for stress-free party throwing. To ensure your book is one of 2,000 copies that'll be signed by Ray, stop by the store at 8 a.m. to secure a wristband (supplies limited). Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.

Grab the sexiest, raunchiest or jolliest Claus costume you can find, hop down to Old City, and party like it's 1998—the first year the Running of the Santas hit the pavement. Around 1,000 attendants start at Buffalo Billiards, gallop to Finnigan's Wake and crawl, literally, to McFadden's Saloon, where the Xmas debauchery concludes with Winterfest, a party featuring live music, photo ops with Santa and a Playboy bunny, and a never-ending supply of jello shots and spiked nog. Costume required. Visit www.runningofthesantas.com for more info.

For two consecutive weekends, Dessert cafe will host a parlor-style high tea, accompanied by miniature sweets, freshly baked scones, housemade lemon curd and moussy clotted cream. A vast menu of loose leaf artisan teas makes the sampling of Dessert's other treats—gooey chocolate fondue; a light, orangy Grand Marnier souffle; Kahlua-hinted cream puffs and cozy chocolate bread pudding—all the more irresistible. Dessert, 806 S. Sixth St., 215-923-9733.

Food Network's Jamie and Bobby Deen, sons of Southern celeb chef Paula Deen, cruise American towns in search of regional, handcrafted grub on their show Road Tasted. They've journeyed through Seattle, Chicago and Key West, sampling everything from corned beef and cabbage to soysage (vegetarian sausage). Stop by the brothers' home-cooking demo on south-of-the-Mason-Dixon goodness and steal a few tips of your own. Sam's Club, 100 Franklin Mills Circle, 215-632-2299.