The Napa Valley College's Napa Valley Cooking School held its graduation Oct. 28 at the Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena.

HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- Pumpkins are like the mascots of autumn. "Dressed" in orange-toned uniforms of varying shapes and sizes, their arrival at stores, farm stands and front porches evokes the spirit of the season, year after year.

This recipe makes a great standby cake to cut up into handy squares, but its taste will ensure it isn't eaten only out of need or convenience.

Have you eaten your ounce of almonds today? If the Almond Board of California has its way, we'll all be munching them daily -- and feeling good about it.

When Chris Manning was 10 years old, a dining experience put him on a path leading to some of the best commercial kitchens in the United States.