EVENTS/FESTIVALS

Christmas goodies get dolled up in sugar and spice and everything nice. Hanukkah's potato-and-egg pancake gets fried up and tossed on a paper towel to absorb excess oil. It's no wonder that—based on looks alone—the latke plays second fiddle to the more glamorous candy cane and gumdrop-cute gingerbread man. You could call the little latke comfort food, but the folks at Gershman Y want to shed that humble image. For its third annual Hanukkah celebration, Latkepalooza, local chefs and caterers will sizzle up their own decked-out versions. Among the newcomers this year: Old Original Bookbinder's offers salmon-stuffed latkes; Estia unveils its "spanalatka" (spinach, feta, olives, leeks); and Continental Mid-town is bringing wasabi latkes with caviar. Look for returning recipes from Deux Cheminees' Fritz Blanc (cabbage latke) and Joseph Poon (ginger-cilantro latke), who warmed up earlier this week by cooking a latke the length of a living room. Latkepalooza promises to be filling, too: Admission buys you one plate of special latkes and as many traditional ones as you want. And because people can't just sit around eating, the day features an accordion player, magician, holiday bazaar and a musical performance by Nashirah.

Latkepalooza, Sun., Dec. 11, 2-4:30 p.m., $8-$12, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-446-3021, www.gershmany.org.