Food 411: This week’s food events

• Reprints

Two words we love to hear: Chocolate Extravaganza! Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts will host an event with that very name Jan. 23.

Updated: January 17, 2012 11:57AM

Get organized

We know the mentality: you see that jar of preserves, with maybe two teaspoons worth in it, and you think: I can use it on toast.

Let’s face reality. Chances are pretty good you won’t. Toss it, says professional organizer Leslie Josel, who’ll be the expert on “Stuffed: Food Hoarders,” which airs Jan. 29 on the Cooking Channel. Expired food, spices you used once, broken utensils. Pitch ’em. Also get rid of things you don’t use because you don’t like them, Josel recommends.

Here are some of Josel’s other tips for getting organized in the kitchen:

† Categorize food in the frig and pantry. That way you’ll know what’s where.

† Go vertical. Hang pots from the ceiling. Mount knife holders or spice racks. This way your counter space is clear and ready for use.

† Install roll-out storage: That’ll make it easy to reach appliances. No can do? Then used clear containers and open baskets so you can see what you have quickly.

† Store by use: Things you use everyday should be easily accessible. Special-occasion dishes or little-used appliances can go on higher shelves. (If it’s used once a year, it can even be stored in another room. Or, better yet, ask yourself if you really need it.)

Chocolate feast

It’s two-and-a-half hours of chocolate used in dishes that might surprise you.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts will host Chocolate Extravaganza beginning at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the school, 361 W. Chestnut.

The school’s chef instructors will man the stations for the eight-course tasting menu. Chocolate-braised short ribs is one of the intriguing offerings. Or how about vanilla, white chocolate and coffee-seared scallops?

It’s $79, and more than 90 percent of the proceeds will go toward the school’s scholarship fund. For more information, call (847) 275-3918. Reservations can be made at www.lcb.eventshot.com.