October cheer

Add a little oompah to your weekend at the eighth annual Oktoberfest celebration in Southwest Harbor. The event will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Smuggler’s Den campground on Route 102. You can raise your glasses in the beverage tent, where 20 Maine brewers will offer 78 beers, and the Blacksmith Winery of South Casco will serve several types of wine. The food tent will feature a little bit of everything, from German to Thai to barbecue ribs and beans. A craft tent and live entertainment will round out the mix. Tickets cost $5 for the food and craft tents, or $20 for admission to the beverage tent, plus a souvenir glass and 10 sampler tickets. For information, call 244-9264 or visit www.acadiachamber.com.

Gala goodies

It was a tasteful event, to be sure, and now the hungry crowd has spoken. Nearly 250 guests at the Go Gala for Kids’ Sake fund-raiser last weekend chose the following hors d’oeuvres in the taste-off competition: Wicked Good (best use of Maine ingredients) to the New Moon Cafe for Lobster Shu-Mai with Citrus Vanilla Sweet and Sour Sauce; Just Like New York (sophisticated and hip) to Chocolate Grille for Chevre and Caviar Canape; A Meal in Itself (hearty and satisfying) to Momma B’s Kitchen for Momma’s Meatballs; Sweet Surrender (No need to save room for dessert) to Guinness & Porcelli’s for Maine Apple Cider Cheesecake Bit on Molasses Crusts; Can’t Eat Just One (addictively delicious) to Eastern Maine Community College Culinary Arts for Smoked Turkey Mousse Canape with Maine Cranberry Chutney; Eye Candy (best visual presentation) to Penobscot Job Corps Culinary Works Enterprise for Fruit-filled Swans; Exotic (creative flavor combos) to Oriental Jade and Sampan Grill for Vietnamese Fresh Summer Roll (Thai Fresh Roll) with dipping sauces; Ethnic (world cuisine in River City) to Thistle’s for Ceviche de Camarones (Latin shrimp cocktail); Comfort Food (A new take on an old theme) to The Lion for Thai Chicken Skewers. Mark Janicki, department chairman of culinary arts at Eastern Maine Community College, won the top award, This One’s Got It All (Your No. 1 favorite) for his Smoked Turkey Mousse Canape with Maine Cranberry Chutney.

Ghoul-diva

There’s nothing scary about Godiva chocolates, but they’re tasty enough to give anyone the chills. And the spider web Halloween packaging is a nice touch, too. Leave the tricks to the kids, while you treat yourself to a pumpkin cheesecake or creme brulee Dessert Chocolat ($10 for a set of two boxes). For information, visit www.godiva.com. Godiva chocolates are available at Beal’s Jewelry Store in Ellsworth and Filene’s in Bangor.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.