Amano Artisan Chocolate of Orem won several awards over the summer. The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, sponsored by Taste TV, awarded Amano a Gold Medal in three categories: Best Dark Chocolate, Best Dark Chocolate Bar and Most Gifted Chocolatier 2007. Amano was one of 27 artisan and premium chocolatiers to participate.
Amano's Ocumare Grand Cru Dark Chocolate Bar was also one of 12 silver trophy finalists for Outstanding New Product, from a field of 460 entries at the NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show.
According to co-owner Art Pollard, Amano's goal is to make high-quality chocolate in small batches to develop the finest flavors possible. It produces a Madagascar Single Origin Bar, with cocoa beans from Madagascar, and the Ocumare Single Origin Bar, with beans from the Ocumare Valley in Venezuela (www.AmanoChocolate.com).
India Fest takes place Saturday, 4-9 p.m., at the Krishna's Lotus Temple, 8628 S. Main, Spanish Fork. Festival admission is $3 per adult and $1 per child. The event offers Indian cuisine and entertainment, a gift shop, cultural exhibits, fireworks and the burning of an effigy of a 10-headed demon named Ravanna. India Fest has been celebrated for 21 years in Utah Valley, with an average attendance of 3,500 (801-798-3559 or www.utahkrishnas.com).
Six Harmons grocery stores will host Utah Lions Sight Preservation Breakfasts Saturday from 8-11 a.m. The breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, fresh ground sausage, hash browns, orange juice, milk and coffee. Cost is $2 for children and $3 for adults. The funds raised will go to the Utah Lions Club Foundation's programs for cornea transplants and for eye research and treatment in Utah. The breakfast will be served at Harmons stores in West Valley, Kearns, Taylorsville, Brickyard Plaza, The District in South Jordan and Ogden (www.harmonsgrocery.com).
Jamba Juice is opening four new stores along the Wasatch Front on Sept. 19. The first 100 customers at each of the new stores in Clinton, West Bountiful, South Jordan and Sugar House will receive gift cards worth $5. Dignitaries from each city will be on hand to randomly distribute other gift cards. Also, 20 percent of the proceeds from sales on Sept. 19 at the four stores will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs in the Greater Salt Lake region. The new stores are at 1776 N. 2000 West, Clinton; 11507 South Parkway Drive, South Jordan; 175 N. 500 West, West Bountiful; and 1133 E. Wilmington Ave., Sugar House (www.jambajuice.com).
Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening its second Utah location Friday at 6924 S. Park Centre Drive, Cottonwood Heights. A prize wheel will serve up free goodies from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and the first 200 customers who buy a burrito after 3 p.m. will get a Chipotle T-shirt and a card good for a free burrito. Two customers will win one free burrito a week for a full year (943-3525 or www.chipotle.com).
The HoneyBaked Ham Company is offering a new flavored glaze for the first time since its launch 50 years ago. The new Cinnamon Apple Glaze is available only from Sept. 24- Nov. 3.
E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com