By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

It will be a sweet weekend for pie and chocolate lovers with two big events today and Sunday in Central Florida.

Returning to Celebration this weekend is the 18th annual American Pie Council National Pie Championships. The actual championships, including professional, amateur and junior entries will be held elsewhere, but the Great American Pie Festival, featuring the endless pie buffet, is at Celebration today and tomorrow.

Also this weekend is The Festival of Chocolate at the UCF Arena today and Sunday. The big chocolate event celebrates everything chocolate.

Everyone should experience the pie festival and buffet  at least once. I have judged the pie championships several times and no matter how good pie is, pretty much everyone gets sick of Key Lime pie (or chocolate cream etc.) after eating it pretty much non-stop all morning and part of the afternoon.  

At the pie buffet, everyone can wait in line and try all of their favorite kind of pies, and then do it all over again.

More than 32,000 pie lovers are expected this weekend and they will eat and eat and eat pie at The Never Ending Pie Buffet. Last year an astounding 87,000 slices of pie were eaten, as well as ice cream, toppings and beverages from America's best known commercial bakers. The Never Ending Pie Buffet has grown each year, from 83,000 slices in 2010 and 70,000 in 2009.

Other events at the Celebration pie festival (admission is free, buffet not included) include the Crisco Creation Station, the pie tin-art activity for art lovers of all ages, and the Demonstration Stage sponsored by Village Inn and Bakers Square Restaurants, featuring entertainment and baking demonstrations with chefs from across the country. Always a crowd favorite, the kids' and adults' pie eating contests return this year, once again sponsored by Private Selection. Meanwhile, the Book Nook will expand this year to feature even more choices by pie authors, many of whom will be competing in the championships, including Michele Stuart of Michele's Pies in Norwalk, Conn., who recently released her cookbook, "Perfect Pies: The Best Sweet and Savory Recipes from America's Pie-Baking Champion." All festival events will be held both days.

Tickets for the pie buffet are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors over 65 and children under 5 to enjoy all they care of eat and drink.

Chocoholics will get their fill as well at the Festival of Chocolate.

Daily tickets are priced at $15 (adults) and $9 (children) and are on sale now through Ticketmaster at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000, or at the UCF Arena Box Office. Each adult advance purchase ticket will receive two dollars in chocolate coins to spend in The Festival of Chocolate and the chance to win a spot as a Chocolate Judge. Additional taxes and fees may apply.

Festival hours are Friday, 4 p.m. - 10pm

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The event includes the area's best chocolate and confection companies selling everything chocolate from truffles, cakes, crepes and cupcakes to cookies, brownies and gelato. Chocolate savory items including mocha chili, chocolate BBQ sauce, seasonings, coffee and meat rubs will also make a debut.

Throughout the weekend, award-winning pastry chefs and chocolatiers host interactive demonstrations sharing techniques and tricks of the trade while live chocolate competitions give artistic sculptures a tasty twist.

Trendy chocoholics can attend The Cocoa Couture Fashion Show featuring hand-designed garments made almost completely out of chocolate wrappers. Designers will sew, stitch and eat their way to The Festival of Chocolate Yumway where they will compete for prizes judged by professionals and The Festival of Chocolate guests.

The adventurous confection crowd can whip up some chocolate lip balm and try their hand at creating armpit fudge. History buffs become chocolate detectives as they tour an educational chocolate-themed museum and gamers can try their luck and chocolate knowledge in Brownie Bingo, where they can eat the playing pieces.

Chocolate University taught by Chocolate Masters, A “Double-Dare You” of unusual items dipped in chocolate including crickets and jalapeños, cookie stacking contests, chocolate mustaches, a book signing, and a complimentary chocolate raffle are also among the activities.

Limited seating registration for chocolate class and chocolate and wine pairings is available at www.FestivalofChocolate.com.

Wine and dine

at Jonie’s

Joanie’s Diner has been a downtown institution for many years, but it just isn’t one of the first places I think of when it comes to have a glass of beer or wine — but now you can.

The Kissimmee restaurant is now serving beer and wine, and better yet, there is a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Joanie’s is open to  9 p.m.

Happy Hour  is from 4-7 p.m.