Taste of North County 2009: The seventh annual tasting, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, will include more than a dozen restaurants and beverage makers, including Decanter Restaurant & Wine Lounge, Donovan's Steak & Chop House, Brett's BBQ, Las Olas Mexican Restaurant, Oceanside Ale Works, St. Tropez Bakery & Bistro and more. Taste of North County will be held at Pardee Homes' Bridle Ridge models at 10525 Gaylemont Lane in Carmel Valley. Tickets are $50 and benefit HomeAid, which provides shelter to San Diego's homeless. Call 858-793-6292 or visit www.homeaidsd.org.

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Rubio's Taco Tuesday deal: The special has been around for awhile, but the restaurant is sending out a reminder to cash-strapped fish taco lovers: Every Tuesday starting at 2:30 p.m., Rubio's World Famous Fish Tacos are $1.25 each. Go to rubios.com.

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Tango launches Sunset Menu: Tango Restaurant & Lounge in Escondido is offering its Sunset Menu for those seated in the dining room by 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The $25 menu features three courses. Tango is at 417 W. Grand Ave.; call 760-747-5000 or go to tangoongrand.com.

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Downtown Date Nights in Encinitas: Fifteen downtown Encinitas restaurants are now offering Tuesday night prix-fixe dinner specials. The two- or three-course menus range from $30 to $70 per couple and include a glass of wine or beer. Some of the participants are St. Tropez Bistro, Tastes, Giovanni's, El Callejon and D Street Bar & Grill. Visit www.encinitas101.com. To view menus, click on Business Directory, find a restaurant and view its documents.

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Ivy Rooftop celebrates spring: The Ivy Rooftop at the Ivy Hotel is offering "Rise & Shine" breakfast and lunch menus on weekends at 600 F St., San Diego. Breakfast is served from 7 to 11:30 a.m., and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Rooftop also hosts Happy Hour from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday with a $5 cocktail menu and half-price wines by the glass. Call 619-814-1000.

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Cool beans: California Tea & Coffee Brewery in Temecula recently expanded its menu to include French roast beans from The Healthy Bean, which will do tastings at the store at 40315-A Winchester Road in Temecula. The beans, which are also available for purchase, are infused with acai berry, green tea, pomegranate, blueberry and grapeseed. The store is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 951-693-5727.

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New spring menu at Cafe Champagne: Cafe Champagne, the restaurant at Temecula's Thornton Winery, has introduced a spring menu. Executive chef Steve Pickell's lunch menu includes a warm blue cheese and fig crostini, a swordfish club sandwich and a jumbo shrimp and asparagus salad. The dinner menu includes grilled salmon with Thai curry sauce, chicken piccata, smoked salmon salad, pan-seared Maine scallops and more. See the menu at www.thorntonwine.com.

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Dining events

Escondido Downtown Restaurant Week concludes: Downtown restaurants are offering three-course prix-fixe menus of either $20 or $30 on Thursday and Sunday. To see menus, visit www.downtownescondido.com/restaurants.html.

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Surf Museum gala: The California Surf Museum in Oceanside will hold its second annual gala fundraiser Thursday at the museum's new location, 312 Pier View Way. There will be food, a silent and live auction, music and more. Participating restaurants include 333 Pacific, Vigilucci's and Harney Sushi. Tickets are $100 for nonmembers and $65 for members ($125 at the door); call 760-721-6876 or go to surfmuseum.org.

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Food, film in La Jolla: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is hosting an advance screening of "Angels & Demons," with food and wine, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Harkins Fashion Square 7 Theatre, 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla. Tickets are $45; guests must be 21 or older. Go to illuminationwine.com.

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Meet the Winemaker dinner: Cafe Merlot at Bernardo Winery offers a five-course meal with wine pairings at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The dinner is $85 per person; call 858-592-7785. Cafe Merlot is at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte in Rancho Bernardo.

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Museum to hold barbecue: San Dieguito Heritage Museum will hold its 21st annual barbecue at noon Saturday with food from Brett's BBQ, music, exhibits, bake sale, raffle and more. The fundraiser benefits the museum and its collections; tickets are $25 before May 11 and $30 after (teens ages 13-17 are $20; children ages 6-12 are $10; children under 5 are free). The museum is at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas; call 760-632-9711.

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Roll Out The Barrel: This wine and food tasting event, presented by San Diego County Credit Union, is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday and benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event will feature several wineries and restaurants, including Mi Sueno Winery and Brigantine, and will put on concerts by several local musicians, including Eve Selis and A.J. Croce, at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites, 2303 Shelter Island Drive in San Diego. Tickets for unlimited tastings are $100, or $175 for VIP Lounge admission. Go to makeawishgala.com.

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Museum to hold barbecue: San Dieguito Heritage Museum will hold its 21st annual barbecue at noon Saturday with food from Brett's BBQ, music, exhibits, bake sale, raffle and more. The fundraiser benefits the museum and its collections; tickets are $25 before May 11 and $30 after (teens ages 13-17 are $20; children ages 6-12 are $10; children under 5 are free). The museum is at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas; call 760-632-9711.

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ARTSea Cafe coming soon: The fifth annual ARTSea Cafe, a fundraiser for A Reason to Survive that allows diners to watch chefs prepare food, ask questions, interact with chefs and more, returns from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Restaurants and chefs participating include Giuseppe Ciuffa of Giuseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering; Patrick Dahms and Adam Bussell of Vela Restaurant; Trey Foshee of George's California Modern; Antonio Friscia of Stingaree; TK Kolanko of A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines; Brian Malarkey of Oceanaire; and more. The dishes will be inspired by songs and musicians; find menus, song inspirations and tickets ($125) at artsurvive.org/artseacafe09.php. The event is at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Call 619-297-2787, Ext. 2002.

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Dream Dinners open house: Dream Dinners San Marcos will hold an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. Guests can sample items from the May menu and make a three-serving meal. Dream Dinners is at 1641 Grand Ave., Suite 102. Call 760-471-0055 or e-mail grandca@dreamdinners.com to reserve.

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Vista Village Chocolate Festival & Street Fair: The annual festival will feature more than 140 booths, a chocolatiers' alley, chocolate bake-off and candymaker competition, children's rides, live music and more from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24 on Main Street in Vista. Admission is free. Visit www.vvba.org.

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High-tide dinners: The Marine Room in La Jolla is holding its high-tide dinners from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday on these dates: May 22-26; June 19-24; July 4; July 18-23; Aug. 16-21. Weeknight happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (two-for-one lounge items Thursdays and Fridays). The Marine Room is at 2000 Spindrift Drive; call 858-459-7222 or go to marineroom.com.

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2009 Ethnic Food Fair: The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages hosts its annual celebration of foods from more than 32 countries from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 in Balboa Park. Twenty-one cottages will be selling ethnic food with live music and dance and costumed performers. Admission is free. Call 619-234-0739.

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Taste of Little Italy: Mark your calendar for the annual food tour of this downtown San Diego district from 5 to 9 p.m. May 27. More than 750 diners are expected at the event, which will feature more than 20 restaurants and a beer tasting by Karl Strauss Brewery. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate. Visit tasteoflittleitalysd.com.

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The Shores tasting menus: The Shores Restaurant offers monthly wine tasting menus, which include a three-course meal from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The menu is $35 with wine and $25 without (regular menu is also available). The Shores is at 8110 Camino del Oro in La Jolla; call 858-456-0600 or go to theshoresrestaurant.com. Featured items (complete menus are online):

- May: Country meadow lamb

- June: Alaskan king salmon

- July: Baja shrimp

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"Dinner on the Farm: A Culinary Celebration at the Source": Festivities Catering & Special Events and Ramona's Connelly Gardens have teamed for a five-course family-style dinner featuring local farmers, food artisans, chefs and winemakers at 4 p.m. May 31 at Connelly Gardens, 252 Steffy Road, Ramona. Cost is $80, which includes wine, tax and service charge (save 10 percent if you register by Friday). Seating is limited to 80. Register at 858-586-2121 or e-mail ChristyK@festivitiescatering.com.

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Fresh Farm dinner: Loews Coronado Bay Resort offers "Farmers, Foragers and Fishermen," a seasonal dinner series that allows guests to dine with those who produce, harvest and catch the ingredients for their meal. The next event at Loew's Mistral Restaurant, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 4, will feature micro- and petite greens and edible flowers from Fresh Origins farm. Cost is $48. Call 619-424-4000, ext. 4476.

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Encinitas Wine Festival: Quail Botanical Gardens will host the Encinitas Rotary Club's annual wine-tasting event from 5 to 8 p.m. June 6 at 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Attendees will support local charities while enjoying a celebration of international wines and gourmet food at the outdoor festival. The event also will feature live music and a silent auction. Cost is $75 to $500, with the option to choose among 12 charities of choice. For tickets, call 760-753-7343 or visit encinitaswinefestival.com.

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Microbrew fest at Pechanga: Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula is hosting the Pechanga Microbrew Festival benefiting Habitat for Humanity from 1 to 5 p.m. June 20 in its Grand Ballroom at 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Participating breweries include Stone Brewing Co., Port, The Lost Abbey, Alesmith, Coopers and more. The festival is $40 per person (21 and up, of course) and includes a souvenir glass, entertainment, access to a chili cook-off and more. Call 877-711-2WIN or go to pechanga.com.

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Beer & Sake Festival: The Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana hosts its seventh annual festival from 6 to 10 p.m. June 25 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego. The beer, sake and rice wine tastings event will be highlighted by the SushiMaster's California Regional Competition pitting the state's top sushi chefs against one another in a live sushi styling contest. Cost is $60. Visit www.japansociety.org.

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San Diego County Wineries Barrel Tasting: Julian's Menghini Winery hosts a tasting of barrel samples of new wines and recent releases from 1 to 5 p.m. June 27 at 1150 Julian Orchards Drive. Call 760-765-2072.

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Taste of Adams Avenue: More than 30 restaurants will offer tastings at this self-guided culinary tour of the San Diego neighborhoods of Kensington, Normal Heights and North Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Call 619-233-5008.

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Celebrate the Craft at Torrey Pines: Artisans and gourmet chefs will return to The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 for "Celebrate the Craft," a showcase for regionally grown ingredients, cooking and winemaking. Food and wine will be paired with The Torrey Pines Plein Air Invitational. Featured events include a reception and art auction on Oct. 31 (dinner is $125) and a picnic on the Arroyo Terrace on Nov. 1 with food stations ($65). Call 858-453-4420 or go to lodgetorreypines.com.

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Classes

The Cancer Project: The nonprofit will hold a four-class cancer prevention and survival cooking course from noon to 2 p.m. beginning Friday and running through June 13 (no class May 23 and June 6) at Cooking 4 Life Inc., 9145 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego. Courses are How Foods Fight Cancer; Fueling Up on Low-Fat, High-Fiber Foods; Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives; and Cancer-Fighting Compounds and Healthy Weight Control. Cost is $52 per person; call 858-433-0085 or go to cancerproject.org.

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Behind the Scenes Catering & Events: The catering company teaches customers to prepare not-so-typical foods on the grill in its kitchen at 9888 Waples St., San Diego. Call 858-638-1400 or go to btscenes.com. Upcoming:

- 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Hot off the grill; $45

- 6:30 p.m. June 16: Hot off the grill; $45

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North County Culinary Academy: Chef Jenn presents a series of San Marcos ROP cooking classes from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos. Subjects include everything from basic knife skills to advanced cooking techniques. Classes are $50. Register to 760-752-1272.

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The Whole Journey: The Whole Journey is offering an ongoing series of free grocery store tours at Seaside Market in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (2087 San Elijo Road), nutrition seminars at Whole Foods (8825 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla) and cooking classes at Sur La Table (1915 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad). Go to thewholejourney.net.

- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Wellness and Wine -- Spring entertaining; $39; register to 760-635-1316.

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The Kitchen Witch: The Encinitas school hosts cooking classes at 127 N. El Camino Real; call 760-942-3288 or go to www.kitchenwitchonline.com:

- Noon Thursday: Learn-a-Lunch -- Light French Fare; $34

- 6 p.m. Friday: Fab-Friday -- Farmhouse Fare from California Wine Country; $59

- 11 a.m. Saturday: Save Time, Save Money, Go Green; $69

- 6 p.m. Monday: An Evening with Pacifica Del Mar; $59

- 6 p.m. Tuesday: Spring Martini Fling; $59

- 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Wednesday: American Steakhouse Cuisine; $59

- 6 p.m. May 21: Spring Dinner Party; $59

- Noon May 22: Learn-a-Lunch -- Spicy Dining; $34

- 6 p.m. May 22: Fab Friday -- Roman Dinner Favorites; $59

- 11 a.m. May 23: Gourmet Burgers and Sandwiches (tweens only); $44

- 6 p.m. May 26: Casual Entertaining -- Gourmet Sandwiches; $59

- 6 p.m. May 27: Pucker Up -- Cooking with Citrus; $59

- 6 p.m. May 28: Japanese Cuisine for Beginners; $59

- 6 p.m. May 29: Fab Friday -- Spanish Specialties; $59

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Children cook: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids hosts classes for children with a new organic menu every week: "Lil Explorers" (ages 4-7) from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays; "First Mates" (ages 7 to 13), 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays; and for older kids (ages 13-18), 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Classes cost $40 or $120 for four. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C. Call 760-431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.

- Next week: Cooking with Herbs -- Fresh thyme and mozzarella quiche, cheddar dill biscuits, melon with papaya mint sauce

- Week of May 25: Asian fusion -- Lettuce wraps (veggie or chicken), avocado California rolls, banana mango spring rolls with chocolate

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Captain Cook's adult classes: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids is hosting adult classes at 7 p.m. Thursdays. All classes are $45 (or $120 for three). Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C, Carlsbad. Call 760-431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.

- Thursday: Greek Favorites -- Tzatziki with homemade pita bread, lemon chicken with garlic rosemary potatoes, baklava with organic honey

- May 21: Sweet and Spicy -- Spicy cucumber salad, Caribbean pork tenderloin with strawberry salsa, mango yogurt mousse

- May 28: Tuscan Treats -- Scallop chips with garlic dip, gnocchi with wild mushrooms and sage, chocolate and raspberry panini

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Macy's School of Cooking: The school is in the Macy's Mission Valley Home Store, 1555 Camino de la Reina, San Diego. Call 888-424-FOOD or go to macys.com/events and type 92108 in the ZIP code field:

- 11 a.m. July 13-17 or 11 a.m. July 27-31: Macy's Kids in the Kitchen with Janet Burgess; $175

- 11 a.m. Aug. 3-7: Macy's Teens in the Kitchen with five local chefs; $210

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Culinary series at The Grand Del Mar: These monthly two-hour sessions take place year-round, conducted by the resort's chefs. Call 858-314-2000. The Grand Del Mar is at 5300 Grand Del Mar Court. Classes are in the resort kitchen unless otherwise noted. Upcoming:

- 6:30 p.m. June 10: Wines for Summertime -- Wine tastings, and suggested food pairings for summer lunches, dinners, picnics and more; $95

- 6:30 p.m. July 13: A Taste for Tomatoes -- Chef William Bradley teaches how to make Tomato Vinaigrette, Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Tomato Sorbet; $95 (at Addison)

- 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12: Summer on Ice -- Lobster Cocktail, West Coast Oysters, Organic Shrimp, Dungeness Crab and Gazpacho; $95

- 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23: A is for Apples -- Apple Tart Tartin, Apple Cider and Apple Chutney; $95

- 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14: Wines for Fall Feasts -- Reds and whites for fall, and pairings such as Braised Short Ribs with Apple Puree and Seared Scallops with Parsnip Puree; $95

- 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18: Save and Savor -- Techniques on preserving and curing. Recipes include Gravlax and Beet-Cured Salmon, Duck Confit and Pear Marmalade; $95

- 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2: A Baker's Holiday -- Pastry Chef Thierry Delourneaux will demonstrate Chocolate Ganache Buche de Noel, Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Painted Cookies and Citrus Panna Cotta; $95

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Great News! Discount Cookware & Cooking School: The San Diego school hosts cooking classes at 1788 Garnet Ave. (in the Pacific Plaza at Garnet Avenue and Jewell Street); reserve to 858-270-1582, ext. 3, or go to www.great-news.com. Reserve early; classes fill quickly:

- 10:30 a.m. Thursday: Delicious Dishes Featuring Asparagus; $49

- 6 p.m. Thursday: Tapas and Sangria (a fundraiser for Les Dames D'Escoffier International, San Diego chapter); $49

- 6 p.m. Friday: Delicious Dishes for Blue Cheese Lovers!; $49

- 11 a.m. Saturday: Calling All Kids -- Science Project; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)

- 9 a.m. Sunday: Nijiya Japanese Market Tour; $49

- 6 p.m. Monday: Eating Italian -- Rome; $49

- 10:30 a.m. Tuesday: Chinese Stir-Fry; $44

- 6 p.m. Tuesday: Enjoy, It's Gluten Free!; $49

- 6 p.m. Wednesday: Delicious Fish; $49

- 10:30 a.m. May 21: Thai One On; $49

- 6 p.m. May 21: One Dish Meals -- Casseroles for All Occasions; $49

- 6 p.m. May 22: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Pacific Rim Cuisine; $49

- 11 a.m. May 23: Hands On Tamales; $69

- 10:30 a.m. May 26: Fast and Fabulous Chicken Breasts; $49

- 6 p.m. May 26: Enchanting Indian Cuisine; $49

- 6 p.m. May 27: Going Hog Wild; $49

- 10:30 a.m. May 28: Trader Joe's -- Mega Flavors in Minutes; $44

- 6 p.m. May 28: Fast and Fabulous Chicken Breasts; $49

- 6 p.m. May 29: Foodies Night Out -- Mediterranean Style; $49

- 11 a.m. May 30: Beef It Up!; $49

- 2 p.m. May 31: Basic Knife Skills; $49

- 6 p.m. June 1: Steaks, Steaks, Steaks!; $59

- 11:30 a.m. June 2: Quick and Easy Lunch -- California Wine Country Style; $29

- 6 p.m. June 2: Mastering the Grill; $49

- 6 p.m. June 3: Delicious and Easy Rice Bowls; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 4: Back to Basics -- Simple Home Cooking; $49

- 6 p.m. June 4: Wholesome Foods -- Vegetarian Cuisine; $49

- 6 p.m. June 5: Entertaining on a Budget -- Hearty Party; $49

- 11 a.m. June 6: Canning for Dummies -- Beginning Home Canning; $44

- 11 a.m. June 7: Calling All Kids -- Sing Around the Campfire; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)

- 6 p.m. June 8: Italian Style Grilling; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 9: Light and Healthy Everyday Entrees; $49

- 6 p.m. June 9: My Big Fat Greek Cooking Class; $49

- 6 p.m. June 10: Do-ahead Father's Day Dinner; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 11: Hot Off the Grill; $49

- 6 p.m. June 11: Entertaining Entrees with Wines Under $10; $49

- 6 p.m. June 12: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Gourmet Sandwiches for Casual Entertaining; $49

- 11 a.m. June 13: Hands-on -- On Techniques in Vegetable Carving; $49

- 6 p.m. June 15: The "Man" Class; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 16: Hands-on Cake Decorating; $59

- 6 p.m. June 16: De-mystifying Convection Cooking; $49

- 6 p.m. June 17: Seafood and More!; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 18: Hands-on Tamales; $69

- 6 p.m. June 18: Martinis and Grilling -- Delicious Combinations; $59

- 6 p.m. June 19: Cooking with Beer; $59

- 11 a.m. June 20: Entertaining at Home -- Southwestern Tapas and Sangria; $49

- Noon June 20: Wusthof Knife Sharpening Event; $2 donation

- 4 p.m. June 20: Wusthof Trident Knife Maintenance and Seminar; $10

- 6 p.m. June 22: Pucker Up, It's Lemons!; $44

- 11:30 a.m. June 23: Quick and Easy Lunch -- Sensational Summer Food; $29

- 6 p.m. June 23: Basic Knife Skills; $49

- 6 p.m. June 24: Cool Summer Do-ahead Appetizers; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 25: Chinese Dinner Party; $44

- 6 p.m. June 25: Summer Salad Suppers; $49

- 6 p.m. June 26: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Hawaiian Flavors; $49

- 1 p.m. June 27: Hands-on Basic Sushi; $69

- 9 a.m. June 28: Nijiya Japanese Market Tour; $49

- 11 a.m. June 28: Calling All Kids -- Pasta Makes Perfect; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)

- 6 p.m. June 29: An Evening with Kensington Grill; $49

- 10:30 a.m. June 30: Fast, Fresh and Easy Everyday Dishes; $49

- 6 p.m. June 30: Keeping it Simple -- Full Flavor with Few Ingredients; $49

- 6 p.m. July 1: Tuscan al Fresco; $49

- 10:30 a.m. July 2: We All Scream For Ice Cream!; $44

- 6 p.m. July 2: Backyard BBQ Entrees with Marinades and Rubs; $49

- 6 p.m. July 6: Homemade Ravioli -- The Lotsa Pasta Way; $49

- 10:30 a.m. July 7: Great Sauces on Simple Grilled Entrees; $49

- 6 p.m. July 7: Hands On Tamales; $69

- 6 p.m. July 8: Hands On Advanced Sushi -- Beyond the Basics; $69

- 10:30 a.m. July 9: Authentic Vietnamese; $49

- 6 p.m. July 9: Fresh, Fast Fish; $49

- 6 p.m. July 10: Friday Night Dinner Party -- Asian BBQ; $49

- 11 a.m. July 11: Working with Phyllo Dough; $49

- 11 a.m. July 12: Calling All Kids -- Dinner & a Movie; $49 adult, $39 child (7-14)

- 6 p.m. July 13: Understanding Miso; $59

- 10:30 a.m. July 14: Teens Only -- Basic Knife Skills; $49

- 6 p.m. July 14: The Greatness of Garlic; $49

- 6 p.m. July 15: Vegetarian Delight; $49

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Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio: Rosanne Zinniger's cake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, offers classes in cake decorating. Call 760-744-0447 or rozsweetartstudio.com.

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In the spirits

Carlsbad Wine Merchants: Hosts tastings at 5 p.m. Fridays and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays for a fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call 888-750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com.

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Fifty Barrels Winery and Tasting Room: Hosts tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 106, Oceanside. Call 760-696-2998 or go to carlsbadcoastal.com.

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Harvest Ranch Market Del Mar: Wine tastings from 5-7:30 p.m. plus appetizers for $10-$20. The store is at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Suite 203, Del Mar. Call 858-847-0555.

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Holiday Wine Cellar: Daily tastings from 5:30-7 p.m. at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Wine Down Mondays feature five wine tastes for $5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, and "Hop Over the Hump Wednesdays" are weekly beer-tasting events for $5. Call 760-745-1200.

- 5:30 p.m. Friday: Ichishima Sake; $30

- 5:30 p.m. Monday: Blind tasting -- roses; $5

- 5:30 p.m. May 21: Napa Valley's Hill Family Estate Winery; $15

- 5:30 p.m. June 4: Sonoma's Christopher Cameron Wines; $15

- 5:30 p.m. June 13: Quintessa Barrel Sampling; $20

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The North County Wine Company: Tastings daily at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Call 760-744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com.

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T&H Prime Meats & Sausage: The shop now offers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a San Diego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. Mission Road, San Marcos. Call 760-471-9192.

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Vino100: Wine tasting events offered every evening at 5 p.m. at its store at 133 S. Las Posas Road in San Marcos. Also, on Wednesdays in April, dollar tastings are offered. Call 760-591-9113 or go to vino100sanmarcos.com.

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Vinz Wine Bar: Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visit vinzwinebar.net.

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The Wine Spot: Hosts tastings from 2-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; noon-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays at 2801 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad. Six tastings and an appetizer cost $20. House tastings any time are $15. Call 760-434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.

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Wine Street Inc.: Weekly tastings from 3-7 p.m. Fridays, with appetizers. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, Carlsbad. Call 760-431-8455 or visit www.winestreet.com.

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Wine Styles: The Encinitas wine store hosts tastings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays. Cost is $15 or $10 for WineClub members and includes six to eight wines and snacks. The shop also hosts WineDown Fridays, where guests enjoy wine and live music and can bring in food to socialize. Call 760-633-0057.

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