New products

JOINT EFFORT: Elation is a nutritional supplement drink that contains glucosamine and chondroitin at the same levels as joint-pain supplements; calcium, and 100 percent of the daily RDA of vitamin C. Suggested price is $7.49-$8.49 for six-packs or $1.39-$1.49 for eight-ounce bottles in Raspberry White Grape and Cranberry Apple.

Good causes

TASTE OF CARLSBAD: The Carlsbad Educational Foundation hosts the 11th annual Taste of Carlsbad from 2-5 p.m. Saturday to benefit arts programs in the Carlsbad Unified School District. The event is teamed with ArtSplash, which includes dozens of sidewalk chalk painters as well as booths offering fine art and art-related activities for the kids. It all takes place on Armada Drive between Cannon Road and Palomar Airport Road. Among restaurants participating are Blenz, Carlsbad Gourmet, Dario's, El Camino Real Grille, El Puerto Mexican & Seafood, Fresco Trattoria & Bar, Garcia's Mexican Restaurant, Jamroc Caribbean Grill, King's Fish House, Knockout Pizzeria, Lola's Mexican Market, Mimi's Cafe, Olive Garden, Pat & Oscars, Pelly's Pollos Maria, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Spoon's, Top of the Bagel, Tri-City Medical Center and Tuscany Ristorante. For tickets, call (760) 929-1555.

MEALS ON WHEELS: Meals-On-Wheels Greater San Diego Inc. hosts "Dine With the Chefs … So No Senior Goes Hungry" from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Enjoy tastes from dishes prepared by members of the Chefs de Cuisine, a local organization of chefs and food purveyors that take part in nonprofit events. Cost is $125. Funds raised will provide home-delivered meals for seniors throughout San Diego County. Reserve to (619) 260-6110 or online at www.meals-on-wheels.org.

TOP CHEFS FUNDRAISER: The Marine Room hosts 10 top La Jolla chefs at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 for a fundraiser to benefit San Pasqual Academy's Slow Food efforts. Marine Room chefs Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver will be joined by Michele Coulon (Michele Coulon Dessertier), Evan Cruz (Roy's La Jolla), Tony DiSalvo (Jack's La Jolla), Trey Foshee (George's California Modern), Jesse Frost (Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa), Jeff Jackson (The Lodge at Torrey Pines), Ryan Johnston (Fresh[er]), Jason Knibb (NINE-TEN), Damaso Lee (Trattoria Acqua) and Stephen Window (Roppongi). The six-course dinner is $95 per person. Reserve to (858) 459-7222. Visit www.MarineRoom.com.

Events

FREE TASTES: Visit a Henry's store from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday to take a bite out of your favorite fruit and learn new ways to incorporate it into your meals. Also, bring your family to any Henry's Farmers Market from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 29 to receive a free ice cream sundae (with Henry's ice cream or Soy Delicious dairy alternative) made-to-order with your choice of toppings.

NEW ZEALAND WINES: Paradise Grille in Del Mar hosts a four-course dinner featuring Kathy Lynskey Wines of New Zealand at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Guests will meet Lynskey and learn about optimal wine pairings. Seating is limited. Cost is $99 per person. Reserve to (858) 350-0808. Paradise Grille is in the Flower Hill Promenade at 2690 Via de la Valle.

HARVEST FESTIVAL: Mount Palomar Winery hosts its first Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Wine, live music, appetizers and grape stomping competitions. Tickets are $25 to stomp grapes, and $20 if you prefer to keep your clothes clean. Call (951) 676-5047, Ext. 103 for tickets, or visit the winery at 33820 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

BEER VS. WINE: El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn offers a six-course "Beer vs. Wine" dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Each course will be paired with wines chosen by sommelier Barry Wiss and beers chosen by Stone Brewing Company CEO Greg Koch. Cost is $125 per person. Reserve to (858) 675-8550.

WINE DINNER: Thornton Winery presents its Fall Winemaker Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29. The four-course dinner paired with Thornton wines is $100. Buy tickets at (951) 699-0099 or online at www.thorntonwine.com. The winery is at 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula.

TEA TIME: Memories English Tea Garden hosts a tea at noon Sept. 29. Enjoy high tea, an art fair and keepsake teacup or glass. Cost is $20. Reserve to (760) 945-0476.

SAVORY EVENT: "Savor South Melrose" is a tasting event from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 6 hosted by the United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose, Vista. Sample foods from local restaurants such as Famous Dave's BBQ, Kabob Cuisine, Village Bagel Bakery, Starbucks and others.Activities for the kids, including face-painting, an arts/crafts table and a large moonbounce/obstacle course, and crafts on display and for sale. Taste Tickets will be available at the event, 10 tastes for $10. Buy ahead of time and save $2. Stop by the church office from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays or between 8:30 a.m.-noon Sundays.

WINE DINNER: Belle Marie Winery's Chateau hosts an "Oceans of the World" winemaker's dinner at 6 p.m. Oct. 13. The five-course meal will focus on seafood from around the world, paired with Belle Marie wines. Tickets are $89 ($79 for Wine Club members) all-inclusive. Call (760) 796-7557 or e-mail info@bellemarie.com. The winery is at 26312 Mesa Rock Road, Escondido.

DINNER WITH BATTISTA: Robbie's restaurant hosts "Dinner With Battista," a four-course dinner paired with wines and the music of Michael Battista. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the restaurant, 530 N. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. Cost is $85 per person. Reserve to (760) 634-2365.

Classes

SUSHI STUDIES: Palomar College Community Development offers "The Sushi Making Series" taught by Mineko Moreno, co-author of "Sushi for Dummies." Classes are from 1-4:30 p.m. and cost $65 plus $25 materials fee. Register for all three and get 10 percent off. Register to venture.recware.com or call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702. The schedule:

• Beginning Sushi Making, Sunday.

• Sushi Bar Favorites, Oct. 7.

• Holiday Sushi Party, Nov. 4.

WINE TIME: Palomar College Community Development offers "Wine Tasting 101 - Wine Appreciation" taught by Bruno Cumar. Classes are from 7-9 p.m. four Mondays, Oct. 8-29. Cost is $99 plus $25 fee. Bring two wine glasses. Register to venture.recware.com or call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702. The schedule:

CANCER PREVENTION, SURVIVAL: The Cancer Project offers a free Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Course from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays at Jimbo's … Naturally!, 1633 S. Center City Parkway, Escondido. Register to (858) 793-7755, Ext. 114. Learn more at www.CancerProject.org or call (202) 244-5038. The schedule:

Today: Favoring Fiber

Sept. 27: Discovering Dairy Alternatives

Oct. 4: Replacing Meat

Oct. 11: Planning Healthy Meals

Oct. 18: Antioxidants and Phytochemicals

Oct. 25: Immune-Boosting Foods

Nov. 1: Maintaining a Healthy Weight

CANDY COOKERY: The Vista Parks and Recreation Services Department presents "Cooking With the Candy Man (Mark Jacobson)" from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Wildwood park, 651 E. Vista Way, Vista. Cost is $20. Learn to melt chocolate and make your own take-home box of chocolates. Register at the Wildwood Park Community Center Office or call (760) 726-1340, Ext. 1572. Ages 12 to adult.

KITCHEN WITCH: Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop offers these classes and more at 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas. Call (760) 942-3228 or visit www.kitchenwitchonline.com:

Saturday: Cooking 101 (hands-on, 4 hours)

Monday: Gourmet Spa Cuisine With Cal-a-Vie Spa (guest chef)

Tuesday: Trip to Tuscany's Wine Country

Tuesday: Whole Foods - Healthy and Delicious

Sept. 27: Fabulous Fall Foods

Sept. 28: Authentic Indian Cuisine

Sept. 29: Decorated Desserts forFall & Winter Holidays (hands-on)

ESCONDIDO ADULT SCHOOL: These courses and more are offered through Escondido Adult School. Register to (760) 739-7300 or visit www.escondidoadultschool-rop.org:

6-9 p.m. Nov. 13: Thanksgiving Made Easy! $10 plus $30 food fee.

6-9 p.m. Dec. 19: Holiday Desserts, $10 plus $30 food fee.

In the spirits

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: Friday Night Wine Flight, $15.

Sept. 28: Friday Night Wine Flight, $15.

HOLIDAY TASTES: Holiday Wine Cellar hosts these tastings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 745-1200:

Tonight: Taste of South Africa, $18.

Sept. 21: Around the World Beer Tasting, $15.

Sept. 27: Harvest Celebration Tasting, $18.

Oct. 4: Don't Forget Dessert! $20.

Oct. 11: Wine and Food Pairing Class, $25.

Oct. 18: French Champagne Tasting, $35.

THE WINE SPOT: Taste favorite zinfandels at the Wine Spot from 3-8 p.m. Sept. 28 and 1-8 p.m. Sept. 29. Includes BBQ pairing. Cost is $20. The Wine Spot is at 2801 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad. Call (760) 434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.

- 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.