Food Briefs: Chef's Challenge

By: North County Times - | Thursday, October 5, 2006 1:28 AM PDT ∞

More than 50 award-winning area chefs take part in the 11th annual Chef Celebration dinner series this month to benefit a nonprofit culinary scholarship program. Every Tuesday and Thursday in October, teams of chefs will present five-course dinners at restaurants including Baleen, Cafe Japengo, Croce's, JRDN, Pamplemousse, Savory, Terra and Thee Bungalow. Each chef will contribute a special recipe and will mingle with the guests. This year, the San Diego Culinary Institute is establishing two annual scholarships in honor of the late Harold Meyberg, who founded the school. The dinners are $75 per person, with $40 going towards the scholarship fund. For menu information and reservations, contact host restaurants directly by phone or e-mail.

New products

DAIRY FREE CHOCOLATE: Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate, which makes chocolate bars using cocoa solids and rice milk, offers two new bars: The Dark Truffle Center Ricemilk Choco Bar and Ricemilk Choco Bar With Almonds. The 3.5-ounce bars are $3.79-$3.99. Visit www.terranostra.us.

Good causes

Today: Kickoff event at San Diego Culinary Institute, 8024 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, www.sdci-inc.com

Tuesday: Jrdn@Tower 23, 723 Felspar St., San Diego, (619) 993-1213,Ý www.jrdn.com

Oct. 12: Savory, 267 El Camino Real, Encinitas (760) 634-5556, Ý www.savorycasualfare.com

Oct. 17: Croce's, 802 Fifth Ave., San Diego (619) 232-0077, www.croces.com

Oct. 19: Thee Bungalow, 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, (619) 224-2884,Ý www.theebungalow.com

Oct. 24: Baleen, 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, (858) 581-5954,Ý www.paradisepoint.com

Oct. 26: Terra, 3900 Vermont St., Ste. K, San Diego (619) 985-8202,Ý www.terrasd.com

Oct. 31: Cafe Japengo, 8960 University Center Drive, La Jolla (858) 450-3355,Ý www.aventine.com

WINES FOR CANINES: Animal Friends of the Valleys hosts "Wines for Canines," from 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 21715 The Trails, Murrieta. Make a lasting gift for homeless animals while enjoying some of the finest wines around. Raffles, catering, Fido fashion show and live auction. Tickets are $20. Call (951) 556-4398.

PIZZA CONTEST: Kids age 12 and younger can demonstrate their pizza-making abilities at Rossi's Pizza in San Marcos and Oceanside on Saturday as part of a national pizza-making contest cosponsored by Lindsay's Olives. Children can sign up at the pizzerias, 156 Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos (760-727-4747) or 3861 Mission Ave., Oceanside (760-721-1700). The winning pie will be added to the pizzeria's menu. If the sign-up sheet is full, children can participate in an online pizza contest at www.lindsayolives.com.

WINE DINNER: Falkner Winery hosts a grand opening wine dinner at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 14 for the opening of the Pinnacle Restaurant and Banquet Center at their Temecula winery. New chefs are E. Dennis van Rumund and Cory Chung. Price for the dinner is $95 plus tax. Special pricing for wine club members will be $80 plus tax for Members and their spouse. The Falkners and winemaker Steve Hagata will be present to discuss each wine and answer any questions. Reserve to (951) 676-8231, Ext. 104 or do so at www.falknerwinery.com.

CELEBRATE THE CRAFT: Local chefs and area growers will create a picnic and dinner Oct. 15 for the fourth annual "Celebrate the Craft" at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. The picnic on the Arroyo Terrace will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $65. Local vintners, brewers and growers will provide food and beverages. The sunset dinner on the Arroyo Terrace starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails. Entertainment by Daniel Hendrick and Friends, and tickets are $150. Meals will be prepared by chefs from several restaurants, including George's at the Cove, Stinagree, Parallel 33, Bread & Cie, Nine-Ten, Arterra Restaurant, Molly's, Region and the W Hotel. Twenty-five percent of the ticket price will be donated to Slow Food San Diego. Call (858) 777-6635.

Events

OKTOBERFEST SPECIALS: Continental Deli in Escondido will begin its annual Oktoberfest on Friday with beer, brats and German food served on the patio from 5-9 p.m. each Friday this month at 120 S. Kalmia St. Deli owner Vinnie Griffin said Oktoberfest will be celebrated with a beer garden featuring sauerkraut, bratwurst, knackwurst and bockwurst, German beers Holbrau and Spaten, potato salad and sauerbraten (German roast marinated in three vinegars, red wine, cloves and juniper berries). The menu also includes 12-inch pretzels, apple strudel and kassler, grilled smoked pork chops. Griffin said the deli will serve German specials not on the menu throughout the month. Call (760) 745-8007.

HARVEST BLESSING: South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula hosts a Blessing of the Wines and Harvest Celebration from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 21. Fine wines, live band, buffet, tractor-pulled rides thru our vineyards and unique entertainment. Cost is $60 per person; ages 6-11, $25. Call (951) 587-9463, Ext. 7210.

WINE CELEBRATION: The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association hosts its 15th annual Harvest Wine Celebration from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4-5. Guests travel from winery to winery, sampling wines and foods. Ticket holders can visit each of 20 participating wineries one time over the two-day event. Tickets are $83 per person; designated driver tickets are available for $63. Call (800) 801-WINE or go online at www.temeculawines.org.ÝÝÝ

Classes

AT THE ARTS CENTER: The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and Culinary Adventures Extraordinaire present autumn culinary classes from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays with chef Jeff Massey, executive chef at the CCAE. Cost is $55 per class, or $50 for CCAE members. Call (800) 988-4253:

Oct. 17: Fall Jazz Ensemble ---- A Preview of Our Winemaker Dinner

Nov. 7: Comfort Foods for This Holiday Season

Nov. 28: Home for the Holidays

FALL DESSERTS: Cookbook author and pastry chef Carole Bloom of Carlsbad offers "Scrumptious Fall Desserts" from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $60. Reserve to (760) 931-5920 or visit www.carolebloom.com.

AT PECHANGA: Pechanga Resort & Casino chefs Kurt Hauser and Jean-Marie Verhoeven host these classes titled "Chefs' Magic," at 11:30 a.m. Free hors d'oeuvres and beverages, plus wine with the price of admission. Tickets are $40 per class. Call (951) 770-2507. The schedule:

Saturday: "Food for the Buffet"

Nov. 4: "Petit Fours and Canapes"

Dec. 2: "Holiday Favorites"

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

Wednesday: Fast & Fabulous Chicken Breasts

Oct. 12: An Evening with Savory Restaurant (guest chef)

Oct. 13: Advanced Sushi (hands-on)

Oct. 14: Quick & Creative Party Food (hands-on)

Oct. 17: Vegetarian Dinner Party

Oct. 18: Pacific Rim Favorites

Oct. 19: Magnificent Beef

CAKE DECOR: The Michaels crafts store at 2649 Vista Way, Oceanside, offers these classes. Sign up in advance or call (760) 450-1650:

-- "Spider Cake Workshop" from 1-3 p.m. Saturday is $15 plus supplies. Also, "Great Pumpkin Event" 1-5 p.m. Saturday is $5: Decorate and create a unique pumpkin to take home!

-- "Beginning Cake Decorating," a four-week course from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday. Buy the kit, and the course is free ($25 value).

-- "Halloween Treat Workshop" from 4:40-6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 is $10.

In the spirits

CASTELLO BANFI DINNER: Firenze Trattoria will host Castello Banfi Wine for a special wine pairings dinner at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cost is $100. Reserve to (760) 944-9000.The restaurant is at 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road in Encinitas. Visit www.firenzetrattoria.com.

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

Friday: New Releases from Lewis, Silver Oak and More, $25.

Oct. 13: Top Shelf California Syrahs from Darioush, Kenneth Crawford, Failla and more, $20.

Oct. 20: A Night of Duckhorn Vineyards, $25.

WINE TASTING: Carlsbad Wine Merchants offers tastings at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for a small fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com.

Friday-Sunday: Tasting Room open house and anniversary sale weekend, $10.

WINE EVENTS: The Wine Loft at the Carlsbad Forum offers tastings from 1-4 p.m. unless otherwise noted at 1911 Calle Barcelona, Suite 151. Call (760) 944-1412 or visit www.thewineloft-carlsbad.com.

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

Openings

Panera has opened its Solana Beach bakery/cafe at Solana Beach Towne Centre, 633 San Rodolfo Drive (off the I-5 Freeway in the Solana Beach Towne Centre). The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with more than 20 specialty breads, salads, sandwiches and soups. Call (858) 481-0050. ... Henry's Farmers Market kicks off the Oct. 11 opening of its first Oceanside store with a block party the night before from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 10. Enjoy music, free samples, kids' carnival games and prizes, and some early-bird shopping. The new store is at 471 College Blvd. in the Mission Marketplace shopping center. Call (760) 726-7274.

New on the menu

DELI FAVORITES: The American Classics eatery at Pechanga Resort & Casino is expanding its menu to offer 10 of the standards popular at Jewish delis: Chicken Soup With Matzo Ball, Meat and Potato Knish, Reuben Sandwich, Pastrami & Corned Beef on Rye, Black & White cookie, Bagel With Lox and Cream Cheese, Knockwurst, Salami, Bagels and Cheese and Blueberry Blintzes. American Classics is between Agave and Little Wok in the Festival of Foods Food Court on the main casino level. The casino is at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Call (877) 711-2WIN or log on to www.Pechanga.com.ÝÝ

Chain news

BOWL 'EM OVER: Jack in the Box offers an Acapulco Chicken Salad with romaine and spring mix lettuce topped with savory grilled chicken, shredded pepper jack cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumber slices and red onions, served with a side of blue corn tortilla strips and a cilantro-lime dressing.Acapulco Chicken Salad is $4.89.

MIMI'S MENU: Now through Oct. 25, Mimi's Cafe features new recipes with ingredients at their peak. Two peach dishes and five other entrees will be showcased during the seasonal promotion: Summer Peach Pancake Breakfast; Summer Peach Upside Down Cake; Huevos y Papas; Smokey Chicken Enchiladas; Gaucho Steak Salad; Jumbo Spinach Tortellini With Chicken Basil Tomato Sausage; and Wine Country Beef Short Ribs. To learn more, visit www.mimiscafe.com.

ENDLESS PASTA: Olive Garden announces the return of its "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" ---- choose from seven different types of pasta and six homemade sauces, like new Sun-dried Tomato Parmesan and new Spinach Alfredo. Also, two new entrees are on hand: Tuscan Garlic Chicken and Braised Beef & Tortelloni.

-- 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.

Homemade Traditional Pesto

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup pine nuts

2 cups snipped fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth; season with pepper to taste. Makes about 1 cup.

-- Carol Anderson is a freelance writer. Contact her at pceditor@uspca.com.

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