Food briefs - 6/9/05

By: North County Times | Wednesday, June 8, 2005 10:04 PM PDT ∞

News, announcements and events:

New products

SALAD FIXINGS: The T. Marzetti Company introduces new flavors of salad dressings and an easy-to-hold, rounded-square bottle with a shrink-sleeve label. New varieties are Blue Cheese, Ultimate Blue Cheese, Buffalo Blue Cheese, Asiago Peppercorn, Three Cheese Italian, Baja Ranch, Asian Ginger and Honey Balsamic, all in the 15-ounce size bottle.

Good causes

WINE & DINE: The 10th annual Palomar College Foundation "Wine & Dine" fund-raiser starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Old Richland Schoolhouse, San Marcos. Enjoy wine-tasting from local award-winning wineries, dinner, entertainment and a silent and live auction highlighting student art. Funds raised will go toward the financial needs of the college and scholarships. Cost is $150 per person or $300 per couple. Call Deborah Stanley at (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2733.

TASTING SESSION: Carlsbad Wine Merchants hosts a tasting of the wines of Paso Robles and the Central Coast from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Cost is $55 couple, $30 single. Proceeds benefit the North County Community Services Food Bank. Bring a canned good or packaged dry food for the Food Bank and get another tasting ticket. Reserve by Friday to (888) 750-WINE.

Events

CELEBRITY CHEF: Giada De Laurentiis will sign copies of "Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes" from 3-4 p.m. today at the Sur La Table store at the Carlsbad Forum shops, 1915 Calle Barcelona. Customers interested in attending the book-signing must reserve a book by calling the participating store. All books must be purchased at Sur La Table and accompanied by a valid receipt. Call (760) 635-1316.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Mall, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar, offers a tasting of "All American Artisanal Cheeses" from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Reserve to (858) 847-9616. Cost is $8 (free for Aniata Club Members).

In the spirits

FERRARI CARANO DINNER: Bernard'O's restaurant in Rancho Bernardo offers a five-course Ferrari Carano Winemaker's Dinner on June 21. Call (858) 487-7171.

WEEKLY TASTING: Wine Street Inc. hosts tastings from 5:30-8 p.m. Fridays. Appetizers to match the wines are served. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, in Carlsbad. Cost is $20 unless otherwise noted. Call (760) 431-8455 or visit www.winestreet.com:

Friday: Elderton Command Shiraz with the wines of New Zealand and Australia.

June 17: Pinot Envy, Pinot Craze.

June 24: Pre-release tasting of Silver Oak's 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet, $25.

July 1: Zin-Dependence Tasting.

WINE TASTING: Wild Note Cafe hosts Wine Wednesday tastings monthly. Call (858) 259-7310 for cost and schedule.

Classes

CHOCOLATE FUN: Chuao Chocolatier continues a series of chocolate classes from 6-8 p.m. June 15, 22 and 29 at 937 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. Chocolatiers Michael Antonorsi and Brian Vandenbrouke offer a hands-on learning experience. Classes cost $60. Call (888) 635-1444 or email info@chuaochocolatier.com.

SUMMER GRILLING: Bernard'O restaurant in Rancho Bernardo offers a "Summer Grilling" cooking class at 11 a.m. June 25 with ideas for the Fourth of July. Learn how to do a grilled pizza or a whole grilled king salmon. Cost is $50. Call (858) 487-7171.

CUBAN COOKING: Alchemy of the Hearth offers "The Art of Cuban Cooking," a series of six classes from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays starting July 5 at Poway Adult School. A love of garlic is a good idea. Reserve to (858) 668-4000 or visit www.powayadultschool.com.ÝÝÝÝÝ

KITCHEN WITCH: These classes and more are offered at the Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop & Cooking School, 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas. Price is $44 unless otherwise noted. Call (760) 942-3228 or visit www.kitchenwitchonline.com:

Monday, Get Your Fix from Steakhouse 66 with guest chef Jim Barrasso

Tuesday, 4th of July BBQ

Wednesday, Put a Stick in It! (Kabobs, Satays & Skewers)

Wednesday, Big Easy BBQ

June 17, Hot Summer Nights

June 18, Dad's Day Brunch

June 20, Little Italy Tour

June 20 and 22, Meat & Potato SaladsÝÝÝÝ

AT PECHANGA: Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula offers "Backyard Aromas" at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Hummingbird Hall. Tickets are $37.50 per class or $125 for all four. Call (877) 711-2WIN.

AT SUR LA TABLE: These classes and more are offered at Sur La Table, Carlsbad. Classes are $55 unless otherwise noted. Register to (760) 635-1316 or visit surlatable.com:

Farmers Market Tour and Cooking Class: Vista, $70, Saturday.

French-Asian Fusion From Asia-Vous, $75, Monday.

Around the World, Jimbo's, free, Wednesday (register through Jimbo's)

Contemporary French Cuisine from El Bizcocho, June 16.

Chain news

BREAKFAST IN HAND: Jack in the Box introduces the Meaty Breakfast Burrito, a flour tortilla stuffed with ham, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar and pepperjack cheeses and served with a side of fire-roasted salsa. Suggested price is $1.99 .

RUBY'S BURGER: Ruby's Diner introduces a Breakfast Burger: two fried eggs layered with bacon and American cheese, topped with spacial sauce. They're also available at lunch and dinner. Visit www.rubys.com.

MCDONALD'S CHICKEN: San Diego McDonald's restaurants launch the Premium Chicken Sandwich line: Classic Lettuce & Tomato, Ranch BLT and Club. Each is made with a choice of a grilled or crispy chicken breast, and toppings served on a honey wheat roll. Price ranges from $3.19 to $3.79.

Making changes

NEW BRUNCH: Friar's Folly Wine Cellar restaurant, 1032 San Marcos Blvd., No. 196, San Marcos, now offers weekend brunch from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with breakfast foods, salads and sandwiches. Prices range from $4.50 to $7.50. Call (760) 736-8035.

Honors and awards

Encinitas resident Bernard Guillas, executive chef of the Marine Room in La Jolla, has been named 2004 Chef of the Year by Chef Magazine, based in Chicago. ... Gavin Kaysen, chef de cuisine at El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, was a guest chef May 23 at the James Beard House in New York City, where he created a five-course dinner.

Send information about local food products, food events or classes to Food Editor, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania, Escondido, CA 92025, fax to (760) 745-3769, or e-mail to features@nctimes.com.