The Restaurant & Allied Partnership of Central Florida, or RAPCF (which I think is pronounced rap-chif but don’t hold me to that), is sponsoring Monster Mash, a Mask-for-aid Ball to support restaurant recovery. The event is Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips House at Lake Lucerne. Dr. Phillips won’t be home.

Monster Mash will feature local restaurants and other participants serving signature dishes along with beer, wine and cocktails. Among the venues participating are:

Saturday, Oct. 24, marked the 1941st anniversary of the eruption of Vesuvius and a really rotten day for the citizens of Pompeii.

On Monday, Pompeii: The Immortal City, a touring exhibition about the destruction of the city and the 18th century excavation that brought it back, begins a three-month run at the Orlando Science Center.

In association with the exhibit, local food writer Joseph Hayes is presenting Pompeii’s Table: Sublime and Ancient Food that Survived Vesuvius’ Fury, a series of dinners and culinary events inspired by the food and beverage trends of 79 A.D.

Don’t take the title literally – the dinners won’t feature foods that actually survived the blast. First, really past the expiration date. Second, totally burnt.

In this episode of Scott’s Kitchen, executive chef Greg Richie of Soco Thornton Park shows Scott how to make roasted pumpkin soup with chicken and andouille sausage, served in a pumpkin shell.

Watch the video then check out the recipe below.

Note from Scott: Be sure to let the wine simmer until the vegetables are nearly dry before adding the stock and pumpkin flesh. Add more pumpkin and simmer to reduce if you think the broth is a little too thin. Richie says you can add a touch of cream if you like.