At Cafe Panini is in the Airport Industrial Park building (3375 Koapaka St.), Jolynn Spinelli answers the question "What's the soup?" at least a dozen times a day. So, naturally, she chose that line as the title of a new self-published recipe collection featuring her soup creations. Photographed and designed by Cafe Panini co-owner J. Carlos Negrete, the book focuses on good health as well as good flavor and includes many vegan and vegetarian selections and ethnic ideas from West African peanut soup to jambalaya.

Spinelli tells how to make several simple stocks, as well as a few sides (I've got a hankering right now for her Cheddar Bites). Find the book ($12.95) at the cafe or (soon) on www.Amazon.com. They're also trying to get it into local bookstores.

— Wanda A. Adams

COOK IT UP BIG, SMALL

ANTOJITOS SABROSITOS AMONG KCC CLASSES

Small plates and great bites emerged as a theme for the winter-spring schedule of nonprofit culinary classes at Kapi'olani Community College. Chef Magdy Elzoheiry will teach mezze (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern appetizer buffet foods). Adriana Torres Chong will cover antojitos sabrositos ("tasty pupu") from Mexico. And there's a class, too in tapas, by Laura Gershuni of Pacific Gourmet.

For those interested in larger plates, and better health, a group of classes will explore Eating for Nutrition; Healthy Snacks; Cleansing, Detoxing and Rejuvenating; Cooking With Tofu and Main Course Salads and there will be several cooking demonstrations with samples aimed at people with health problems — and those who cook for them. To see the full class schedule: programs.http://kcc.hawaii.edu/~continuinged. Enrollment: 734-9211.

— Wanda A. Adams