Gourmet cupcake stores are a fast-growing, nationwide trend that has now reached Pittsburgh. Two cupcake bakeries are up and running, almost simultaneously, in Shadyside (last week) and Squirrel Hill (tomorrow).

CoCo's Cupcake Cafe, 5811 Ellsworth Ave., features standard and specialty cupcakes (even a vegan one) designed by Susie Treon, formerly of Cafe at the Frick, Nick Torina, a Pennsylvania Culinary Institute grad, and Krissie Frank. Plans are to add more flavors soon.

Dozen Cupcakes, 1707 Murray Ave., is slated to open tomorrow and uses organic, all-natural ingredients in its treats. The shop features about two dozen flavors, including Pineapple Upside-Down, Root Beer Float, Black and Gold, Key Lime Pie and The Elvis. Enjoy your cupcake with coffee, tea or organic milk. Catering for birthdays and weddings is available now. Call 412-805-5119.

The store is run by Chicago natives James Gray, who attended culinary school in Chicago and worked as a baker in Chicago restaurants, and David Wojtonik, who handles the business end. Details: www.dozencupcakes.com.

Gourmets to convene here

More good news for the 'Burgh. Pittsburgh has been chosen by the American Culinary Federation as the place to hold its Regional Conference March 2 to 4 at The Westin Convention Center.

With over 19,000 members, the organization spans all levels of culinarians, from students and master chefs to restaurants, bakeries, retail stores, educational institutions, the military and country clubs.

Order now

BreadWorks is baking Sweet Egg Bread for holiday tables. Deadline to order is tomorrow by 4 p.m. for pick up on Saturday or Sunday. Call 412-231-7555.

For a sweet last-minute gift, pick up a box of See's Candies, available at South Hills Village and Ross Park and Monroeville malls, through Sunday. Known mainly in the West, See's has been making quality confections since 1921.

Ice cream online

Turkey Hill Dairy, based in Lancaster County and the producer of Turkey Hill ice cream, has entered the blogosphere with the Ice Cream Journal, a blog the company hopes will satisfy everyone's informational sweet tooth.

With 1.6 billion gallons of ice cream eaten each year, the company reasoned that Americans might want to read the history and folklore, and even some recipes, on the frosty treat.

The journal, written by members of the Turkey Hill Dairy team, answers questions such as "What causes an ice cream headache? And how do you cure it?" It will be updated two or three times a week and open to comments from readers.

Find the blog at icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com.

Time for trivia

Food trivia questions from Food Network's "Unwrapped":
1. What kind of pear came from a botanical garden in France in the mid-1800s?
2. In earlier years, was garlic more popular with the rich or the poor?
3. Did pasta come from the Italians?
4. How many different pastas are there?
5. Is ricotta a cheese?
6. How long has ricotta been around?
7. What did ancient Egyptians think of garlic?
8. Who eats the most candy, adults or children?
9. Where does the jujube tree come from?
10. Was there actually a Chef Boyardee?

Answers
1. The Royal Rivera.
2. In much of Europe it was considered the food of the poor.
3. No. It's believed that Marco Polo brought noodles from China around 1200.
4. More than 500 shapes and types.
5. No, it started as a by-product of mozzarella
6. Since Roman times.
7. They worshipped it, while Greek Olympians chewed it for strength.
8. Adults eat 65 percent of all the candy made in the United States.
9. From China. It produces a firm and fragrant fruit.
10. Yes. Hector Boiardi was an Italian chef. He changed the spelling of his name because Americans couldn't pronounce it.

The last word

"Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life." Elsa Schiaparelli, Italian fashion designer.