The Week In Eats

The Skinny, Warsaw in Wissinoming Night, Philly Cooks, Kitchen Workshop Classes

by Amy Strauss

Authors Melissa Clark and Robin Aronson's new book, The Skinny: How to Fit into Your Little Black Dress Forever (Meredith Books), teaches readers how to lose weight without all the strict rules, calorie counting and glycemic gibberish. Size 2 guru Clark's "tidbits of yum" may satisfy your fatty cravings, while mom-o'-twins Aronson's philosophies help cure postpartum blues. Stop by the girlfriends' book signing and cooking demo (recipes include creamy Greek yogurt, espresso gelees and Guinness-glazed halibut) for a personalized jumpstart on a new lifestyle. Fashionista Leehe Fai will also be on hand to showcase the season's must-have size 2 dresses. DiBruno Bros., 1732 Chestnut St., 215-545-4543, www.dibruno.com.

Bottle-conditioned beer is Grey Lodge's specialty, and this Friday, Poland's on the hot seat. Okocim Brewery's handcrafted beers incorporate the best indigenous hops, plush barley and soft mountain water. Okocim promoter Brian Stanley plans to highlight the signature varieties, from the celebratory O.K. Beer to the porter, a Baltic dessert choice with a layered, toffeelike finish. More fun: Okocim hats, bottle openers, T-shirts and mugs will be handed out as prizes, and Stanley will perform a few acoustic songs. (Yup, craftmeister's a musician, too.) Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frankford Ave., 215-624-2969, www.greylodge.com.

Bobby Chez's crab cakes are delicious. But compared to DiNardo's crab balls—eh, it's a bit of a toss-up. Best let the judges decide. In addition to these fishy features, 50 chefs from the Philadelphia area will throw on their game faces to see whose dishes reign supreme. Enjoy samples galore while the gourmands (Brasserie Perrier, El Vez, M Restaurant, Twenty21, Valanni, Barclay Prime, etc.) battle it out. Proceeds benefit MANNA. Advanced registration recommended. Turbine Hall, Wharf at Rivertown, 2501 Seaport Dr., Chester, 800-595-4TIX, www.phillymag.com/phillycooks.

While studying botany at the University of Delaware, the Kitchen Workshop's Art Roman got a job as a prep cook at a local retirement home. Soon after, he abandoned horticulture and took to the kitchen full-time, focusing on brunch foods and offering daily courses at Paoli's Kitchen Workshop. Echoing his strong suit, the "Wacky for Waffles and Crazy for Crepes" class proves that these versatile breakfast staples are also ideal for lunch and dinner. Recipes include frizzled ham and maple mustard cream, caramelized bananas and pecans, creamed chicken, and cornmeal with ricotta. Don't wake early enough to enjoy breakfast? Next week's "Cooking from Basque Country" class focuses on fish and small plates, including tuna and tapenade tortillas and tomato sauce with tuna and potato kebabs. Advance registration required. Kitchen Workshop, 21 Plank Ave., Ste. 204, Paoli, 610-993-COOK,www.kitchen-workshop.com