SAUCY STUFF: VitaSoy USA Inc. offers Nasoya Asian Table Stir-Fry Sauces made without dairy, lactose or preservatives. Flavors are Chinese Five Spice, Garlic Teriyaki, Thai Basil Barbeque, Sizzling General Gao, Spicy Korean Barbeque and Wasabi Ginger. The 8-ounce bottles are sold refrigerated in the product section; suggested retail price is $2.99-$3.29.

Events

IRON CHEFS: The San Diego Chapter of Meeting Professionals International hosts an "Iron Chef" competition at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center. The event will introduce meeting planners to some of San Diego's culinary offerings through exposure to a few different varieties and styles of particular cuisines. Several San Diego Chapter members will be picked as judges for the event featuring local chefs. The center is at 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120 in San Diego, 92101. Call (619) 231-6400 or go to www.sdwineculinary.com.

ALE'S WELL: Oceanside Ale Works hosts Winterfest 2007, a beer tasting from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27, at 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 105, Oceanside. Two new ales will be offered: Big Bernie's Oatmeal Stout and "Big Ru" Scottish Wee Heavy. Other brews will also be on tap. The event also features Dad's bratwursts and sauerkraut. Call (760) 721-4ALE or visit www.oceansidealeworks.com. Oceanside Ale Works is also open to the public for tastings from 3-7 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.

GRAPE BOWL: Carlsbad Wine Merchants and Sunset Coast Capital hosts the third annual Grape Bowl from 3-6 p.m. Jan. 27, featuring 25 of the top 100 wines of 2006! Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad. Tickets are $50. The event is at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE, (760) 929-3861 or (760) 729-0207, or visit www.grapebowl.com.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Promenade, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar offers these tastings from 2-4 p.m. Tastings are $8 or free for Aniata Club Members. Call (858) 847-9616 or visit www.aniata.com:

Jan. 27: "Hard and Hearty" -- flavorful, hard aged cheeses.

Feb. 10: "Cheeses from the Heart" -- staff favorites.

Feb. 24: "Fun with Fondue and Raclette."

March 10: "Irish Cheeses" -- artisan cheeses from The Emerald Isle.

March 24: "Many Shades of Blue" -- a sampling of blue cheeses.

Classes

WINE WISDOM: WineStyles will kick off wine education classes starting Jan. 23. Classes will run from 6-8pm Tuesdays for four weeks and can be purchased as a package for $80 or individually for $25. Each class has a different theme. Call (760) 633-0057 or visit www.winestyles.net/encinitas. The shop is at 191 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas.

VALENTINE'S DAY: Cookbook author and pastry chef Carole Bloom teaches "Chocolate Valentine's Day Indulgence" from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in her Carlsbad home. Cost is $60. Reserve to (760) 931-5920 or visit www.carolebloom.com.

ALCHEMY SCHEDULE: Alchemy of the Hearth announces its new hands-on cooking classes, held through Escondido Adult School (San Pasqual High) or Poway Adult School (Rancho Bernardo High). Prices vary. Call Alchemy of the Hearth at (760) 745-6553 or visit www.alchemyofthehearth.com:

Feb. 1: Cooking with Your Kids

Feb. 6: Winter Comfort Foods

Feb. 26: Fondue

March 1: The Dinner Club

March 5: Tapas!

March 7: Fabulous Cakes

March 12: Sushi

March 20: The Baker's Hand

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:

Tuesday: Martinis and Hors D'Oeuvres

Wednesday: The Everyday Gourmet

Jan. 18: Simple & Sensational Entrees

Jan. 19: Desperate Husbands Strike Back (hands-on cooking for men)

Jan. 20: Just 4 Kids -- Happy Chinese New Year

Jan. 23: A Taste of Thai

Jan. 24: Cool Weather Soups & Chowders

Jan. 25: Salad for Dinner

In the spirits

WINESTYLES TASTINGS: WineStyles offers tastings for a fee from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 4-6 p.m. Saturdays at 191 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Call (760) 633-0057 or visit www.winestyles.net/encinitas:

4-6 p.m. Saturday: Gustavo Thrace tasting. $15.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and 4-6 p.m. Jan. 20: Zinfully Delicious Zinfandels! $15.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 4-6 p.m. Jan. 27: Enough Chardonnay Bashing! $15.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and 4-6 p.m. Feb. 3: Que Syrah, Shiraz! $15.

WINE COMPANY TASTINGS: The North County Wine Company hosts wine tastings daily at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus these special events. Call (760) 744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com:

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday: "Nothing But Zin-Fan-Del"

Jan. 19-21: "South American"

Jan. 26-28: "Let's Go To Italy"

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: Spain, $20.

Jan. 19: New releases featuring Silver Oak Napa Cabernet '02, $25.

Jan. 26: Australian wines: Shirvington, Rusden, Schild Estate, $20.

Feb. 2: New releases, $20.

Feb. 9: Champagne for Valentine's, $25.

WINE TASTING: Carlsbad Wine Merchants hosts 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:

Fri-Sun: Malbecs and more from the Southern Hemisphere, $20.

6-8 p.m. Jan. 18: Italian Wine Seminar. Don Jennings, a sommelier and wine expert, educates on the basics of Italian wines, wine growing regions, and wine-and-food pairing. Fee: $25. R.S.V.P. requested.

Jan. 19-21: New from Spain: Carlsbad Wine Merchants' own Bill Koreke discusses wines encountered on a recent trip to Spain. $20.

6-8 p.m. Jan. 25: Sensory Analysis Seminar with Riedel Glassware. Learn to taste wine like an expert! Our sommelier, Debra deFarcy, and Riedel's Tammie Ward will conduct this seminar with reserve wines from Raymond Winery. Participants will keep their set of four Riedel Vinum wine glasses. Fee: $80. R.S.V.P. requested.

Jan. 26 and 28: "Peoples Choice" -- taste the best sellers from our wine selection for 2006! Friday night as a prelude to the Grape Bowl on Saturday (see Events) we will have a selection of our best sellers available for tasting. $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.

Chain news

Olive Garden will add Five Cheese Stuffed Rigatoni with Chicken and Five Cheese Stuffed Rigatoni with Sausage to its menu as a special promotion through Feb. 11. … Starting Jan. 22, Wendy's teams with Curves gyms to offer customers three ways to eat well, make smart choices and make up for holiday over-indulgences: Bring a Wendy's cash register receipt showing purchase of an entree salad to any Curves to get a free two-week trial membership; Curves will distribute reloadable Wendy's Salad Gift Cards to 1 million members in special Member Appreciation Bags; or pick up a coupon for $1 off a Wendy's entree salad and drink from the display at Curves fitness centers.

- 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.