EASTER CHOCOLATES: PROVIDENCE

No getting around it, the chocolate situation in Providence is grim.  For Easter treats beyond the CVS array (where my guilty pleasures are cheap jelly beans and Peeps) there's hardly anywhere to go. Even Simple Pleasures (www.simplepleasuresprovidence.com) is spare this year. There's some okay candy at Whole Foods, and Farmstead in Wayland Square (www.farmsteadinc.com) stocks a few items.You can't even overpay at Williams Sonoma since they decamped to Cranston. For Italian filled eggs try Federal Hill, Tony's Colonial (website not responding this a.m.) or Venda Ravioli (www.vendaravioli.com).

But for stand-up bunnies (including my favorite "wall street bunny") and chocolate-dipped peeps, baskets and macarons visit the Garrison Confection Factory Store (72 Ledge Street, Central Falls   401-725-0790) www.garrisonconfections.com   Only show in town really. Hours are Monday, March 18 through the 30 (but closed the 24th), 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

FOOD TRUCK FAIR: SATURDAY, APRIL 19

This benefit (Friday, April 19th) for the Rhode Island Community Foodbank (www.rifoodbank.org ) will be street food heaven. Parking their trucks for a cause are: Hewtin's Dogs Mobile, Championship Melt, Clam Jammers, Rocket Fine Street Food, Tallulah, Joedega, Mijos Tacos, Radish and Flour Girls Baking Company. Drinks are from Jonathan Edwards Winery (sermons  separate) and Narragansett Brewing.

The venue: downtown at the Bank of America skating rink - event is on foot not ice

Enjoy a spring Friday night and support the Food Bank. Cost is: $50 per person but pay $75 for early entry, extra tastings and a free drink from the cash bar.

Friday, April 19   6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets from the website or call 401-230-1673.

SARA MOULTON AT HAMILTON HOUSE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Chef, former Gourmet editor, cookbook author (too many books to list), Good Morning America contributor and PBS celebrity Sara Mouton will be at Hamilton House (276 Angel Street, Providence) at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23. Her topic: women's roles in the culinary word. It's a book tour; she will sell and sign her latest, Sara Moulton's Everyday Family Dinners. And it's free but space is limited, so call to reserve.

Saturday, February 23   2:00 p.m.   Call: 401-831-1800

A LOOK AT SOUL FOOD: WHEELER DEL TORRO AT THE R.I. HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2/23/13

Vegan chef, author (of ice-cream tome The Vegan Scoop), and pop-up party creator/host Wheeler del Torro will talk about soul food and its origins in African traditions and American slavery at the Rhode Island Historical Society (110 Benevolent Street, Providence), Saturday, February 23 at 4:00 p.m. While he speaks about the development of soul food in America and its modern adaptations, chef del Torro will be cooking, demonstrating how to cook veggies like black-eyed peas, collard greens and sweet potatoes.

Saturday, February 23   4:00 p.m.

$10 for members, $20 for non-members

Reserve a place: programs@rihs.org

CABLE CAR CINEMA: LEADING BETWEEN THE VINES

Stuck inside this snowy day, you are surely online, so hit www.cablecarcinema.com and order a ticket for Monday's showing of Leading Between The Vines, a documentary by wine importer/author Terry Theise about terroir and wine-making in Germany.

6:45 p.m. for an apertif
7:15 p.m. Leading Between The Vines

The film runs 55 minutes then it's wine tasting and snacks from Chez Pascal.

$25 per person

Cable Car Cinema    204 South Main Street, Providence

GLEE GUM

Did you know that Glee Gum, with the retro packaging and funny little jumping-man, is a Providence company? Check out the well-designed website and maybe order some essentials like candy-making kits and gum dispensers.

www.gleegum.com

Champe Speidel, owner of Persimmon (31 State Street) in Bristol has been invited to cook with his team at the James Beard House in New York. For friends and foodies he's doing two "preview" dinners at the restaurant. The first (Tuesday, February 5) is sold out but there is space at the Wednesday, February 6 dinner. The party begins at 6:30 with canapés followed by four courses and wine pairings. Price is $100 before tax and tip. Call 401-254-7474 to reserve.

www.persimmonbristol.com