Harrah's pastry chef heads to Tokyo contest: Frania Mendivil, pastry chef at Harrah's Rincon Hotel and Casino in Valley Center, will compete this weekend in the International Patisserie Grand Prix 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Top chefs from eight nations will compete in the two-day contest. Mendivil is part of a three-member U.S. team that includes Frederic Moreau of Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach and Lucien Gautier from Mix at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The teams will have 13 hours (over 2 days) to produce a sugar showpiece, a plated dessert, three types of "ecology"-themed petite gateau and several other items. Mendivil's task is to make chocolate bonbons (which will be judged on weight, texture, flavor and appearance) and a sculpted chocolate showpiece. She has been in training for the past several weeks and was unavailable for an interview.

Born and raised in Sonora, Mexico, Mendivil grew up working in her parents' bakery. She came to the United States in 1991 to attend the Orange County School of Culinary Arts and attended the World Pastry Forums in Las Vegas and Phoenix. She worked at the Four Seasons Resort in Newport Beach and the Stone Hill Tavern at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort before joining Harrah's Rincon in 2007. The international contest is just the latest competition for Mendivil. She recently appeared on the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" show and won a gold medal at an American Culinary Federation contest.

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Falkner Winery hires new chef: Falkner Winery in Temecula announced it has hired a new chef for its award-winning Pinnacle Restaurant. Gianni Ciciliot, who joined Falkner's staff on March 1, has worked in the past at Tommy Bahama's in Newport Beach, the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, Yardhouse Restaurant in Irvine, Tutto Mare in La Jolla, and Amici's and Lugano's in Costa Mesa. He holds a degree from the Culinary Institute of American in St. Helena, Calif.

Ciciliot will oversee wedding and banquet catering, and in mid-April, he will introduce his new summer menu. Until then he's offering daily lunch specials and a champagne Easter brunch on April 12. Pinnacle opened in 2006 under the leadership of executive chef E. Dennis van Rumund, who left the restaurant this past December. Falkner Winery is off Rancho California Road at Calle Contento in Temecula. Call (951) 676-8231, Ext. 1.

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Claim Jumper fundraiser: Claim Jumper is contributing to "Help Send a Kid to Camp" from 5 to 10 p.m. in March, when 10 percent of all food and alcohol purchases will be donated to the Burn Institute. Call (858) 541-2277 for a flyer (must be presented to your server) or check burninstitute.org.

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Fallbrook students win at culinary contest: A team of four Fallbrook High culinary students won third place in the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's seventh annual California ProStart Competition, held last weekend at Cal Poly Pomona. The two-pronged competition had teams competing in a culinary contest (60 minutes to prepare a three-course meal) and a management competition (a restaurant industry quiz bowl). Fallbrook High students Johnny Faubel, Daniel McLeod, Daene Turner and Jake Vivar took third in the management contest, behind La Quinta and Newport Harbor high schools. Newport Harbor also won first place in the culinary contest, followed by Pacific Grove and Pacific high schools. Among the other local schools that sent teams to the contest were Lakeview High in Lake Elsinore and Scripps Ranch High.

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Healthy eating in Oceanside: Christina Avaness, author of "Living Beyond Organic," will discuss nutrition and eating right at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Oceanside Public Library's Mission Branch Library Community Room, 3861 Mission Ave. Call (760) 435-5640 or go to oceansidepubliclibrary.org.

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Buca di Beppo expands menu: As the result of Planet Hollywood International's recent purchase of the 88-store Buca di Beppo, the family-style Italian restaurant chain has undergone a menu revamp. Added to the menu are six new entrees: Penne San Remo, Chicken Carbonara, Penne Basilica, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken and Chianti-braised Short Ribs.

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150 Grand offers menu specials: Escondido's 150 Grand Cafe has added several lower-priced options to its menu. A fish and chips dinner is available from 5-9 p.m. Fridays for $15.95; a prime rib dinner is offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays for $17.95; and a three-course prix-fixe menu is available from 5 to 9 p.m. daily for $35. The restaurant, at 150 Grand Ave. in Escondido, can be reached at (760) 738-6868.

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Hacienda de Vega adds daily specials: This Mexican courtyard cafe in Escondido has added daily dining specials. On Mondays, children 12 and under eat free (from the children's menu) with each paid adult. On Tuesdays, get two soft beef or chicken tacos for $5 with purchase of a house margarita. On Wednesdays, Escondido residents get a 20 percent discount. On Thursdays, a $30 dinner-for-two special is offered. The restaurant has also extended its happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Groups of eight or more can also get a 20 percent lunch discount. Hacienda de Vega is at 2608 S. Escondido Blvd. Call (760) 738-9804.

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Kashtan Bistro expands menu: The Rancho Bernardo bistro has added three new large sandwiches to its menu: the Bohemian Belly Buster, the German Schnitzel Sandwich and the Ukrainian Kiev Sandwich. Kashtan is also offering beer specials during every NCAA basketball game in March. Kashtan is at 12125 Alta Carmel Court, San Diego. Call (858) 485-5856

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Friars Folly adds lunch: San Marcos-based Friars Folly Wine Cellar has added lunch service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and brunch service at noon on Sundays. The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean Spanish cuisine and offers live entertainment several nights a week in Old California Restaurant Row at 1032 W. San Marcos Blvd. Call (760) 736-8035.

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Temecula farmers market seeking vendors: Old Town Temecula is getting a new addition -- an indoor farmers market called Delaney's Artisan Foods Market. Food vendors must grow, produce, cook or bake the food within a 100-mile radius and it must be preservative-free. The market is expecting about 350 vendors when it opens in April. The building is on 5th Street between Front and Mercedes streets. Go to www.delaneysartisanfoodsmarket.com.

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AquaTerra adds sushi happy hour: AquaTerra Restaurant at the Pala Mesa Resort is offering 50 percent off sushi rolls from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays, along with nightly beer and sake specials. Pala Mesa is at 2001 Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook. Call (800) 722-4700.

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Pizza and beer pair up: Flippin' Pizza has announced a new partnership with locally based Karl Strauss Brewing Co. Pizza chain owner Patrick Farley (whose chain also includes Knockout Pizzeria stores) is offering Strauss beers on tap at his restaurants, which include stores in south Vista, Carlsbad and Oceanside. Beer varieties include Red Trolley, Amber Lager, Windansea Hefeweizen, Woodie Gold, Endless Summer Light and new Tower 10 IPA. For locations, visit www.flippinpizza.com.

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Harrah's buffet: All month, Harrah's Rincon Hotel and Casino is offering a $4.99 buffet on Mondays. Meals include prime rib, Asian stir-fry, pizza, pasta and more. The hotel and casino is at 777 Harrah's Rincon Way in Valley Center.

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Dining events

Savory hosts wine dinner: Savory Casual Fare in Encinitas will host a four-course wine dinner with foods to match the wines of Paraiso Vineyards at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $65. Savory is at 267 El Camino Real in Encinitas. Call (760) 634-5556.

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Angel's Depot Irish dinner: To raise money for Angel's Depot, the Broken Yolk Cafe in Carlsbad will host a "Cafe Nite Goes Irish" benefit from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The $35 fee includes an Irish buffet, live entertainment and drink tickets. Broken Yolk is at 7670 El Camino Real. Angel's Depot provides services to impoverished seniors. Call (760) 599-7093.

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Family Winemakers of California "Tasting 2009": More than 240 California wineries will participate in this trade and public event Sunday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The five-hour, one-day event will be reserved for wine buyers from 1 to 3 p.m., then open to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Visit familywinemakers.org.

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St. Patrick's Day dinner: Kashtan Bistro offers a prix-fixe, three-course Irish dinner for two, with Irish beer, on Tuesday. Cost is $39.95. Kashtan is at 12125 Alta Carmel Court, San Diego. Call (858) 485-5856.

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Tastes hosts wine dinner: Tastes Restaurant in Encinitas will host a winemaker dinner with Pisoni Vineyards & Winery/Lucia Vineyards at 6 p.m. Sunday. Winemaker Gary Pisoni will host the five-course dinner, which will feature dishes by chef/sommelier Sean Fisher paired with Pisoni wines. Tickets are $130. Tastes is at 641 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. Call (760) 942-9549.

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Henry's strawberry festival: To celebrate strawberry season, Henry's Farmers Markets will host in-store strawberry-themed events daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through March 25. Fresh strawberries and related food items will be for sale, there will raffles, strawberry-decorating activities for children and live entertainment (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21). Visit henrysmarkets.com for locations.

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OMA Culinary Cinema Series: Oceanside Museum of Art continues its themed movie dinner series at 6 p.m. March 21 with a screening of the Spanish-language film "Like Water for Chocolate" and a Mexican dinner catered by chef Juan Manuel Padilla of Frida's Restaurant. Dinner includes wine or beer, hors d'oeuvres and a Mexican dessert bar with tea and coffee. Andrew Friedenberg of the Cinema Society of San Diego will offer informative pre-film remarks. Tickets are $60 to $75. Call (760) 435-3720.

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"Celebrate Sustainability Dinner": The Hotel del Coronado's 1500 Ocean Restaurant will host a "cooks confab" and dinner celebrating sustainable-farming practices at 6 p.m. March 24. Chefs from 1500 Ocean, Jsix, Stingaree, Waters Fine Catering, A.R. Valentien, Nine Ten, Ivy Hotel and Jack Fisher Confections will prepare appetizers and educate diners at food stations, with final courses served in the restaurant. ENO sommelier Ted Glennon will pair wine with courses. Cost is $85. Future dinners are scheduled for June 9 and Oct. 13. Call (619) 522-8490 or www.dine1500ocean.com.

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Mama's Kitchen Benefit Dinner: Dining Details personal chef service and Meritage Wine Market in San Diego will present a six-course wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 24 to raise money for Mama's Kitchen charity, which provides meal delivery to the ill and shut-ins. Cost is $150. Reserve to (619) 200-8977.

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Pala Mesa Resort Italian Wine Dinner: The Fallbrook resort's AquaTerra Restaurant will host a five-course menu paired with wines from Italy's Gianni Zonin Vineyards on March 26. Chef Sean Sullivan will prepare tray-passed hors d'oeuvres, gnocchi, calamari salad, braised pork spareribs and warm ricotta tart with gorgonzola gelato. Pre-dinner reception begins at 6 p.m. (dinner at 6:30 p.m.) at the resort, 2001 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook. Tickets are $69 ($58 for resort members). Call (760) 731-6805.

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Meritage hosts "Thirsty Thursdays": Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has teamed up with San Diego's Dining Details personal chef service to host a series of food-and-wine pairing events. The next event is "Spring Fling," at 6:30 p.m. April 9. The menu (which will include notes from the sommelier) includes six wine samples and six generous appetizers (including Chino Farms spring produce, salmon tartare, duck confit, braised cherries and more). Cost is $55. Julie Frans of Dining Details said the events were scheduled to be bi-monthly but have been so well received they may become monthly. For reservations and prices, call (619) 200-8977. Meritage is at 162 S. Rancho Santa Road.

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Brigantine Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch: The Del Mar Brigantine hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt & Champagne Brunch on April 12. Children's egg hunts will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Brunch will be served from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Brigantine, 3263 Camino del Mar, Del Mar. Call (858) 481-1166.

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"Taste of Uptown/Hillcrest": More than 40 restaurants in San Diego's Hillcrest and Uptown communities will participate in an urban food crawl from noon to 4 p.m. April 18. Diners will receive a map for their self-guided culinary tour of the community. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Call (619) 233-5008 or visit hillcrestbusinessassociation.com.

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Mount Palomar Winery 40th Anniversary Winemaker's Dinner: Temecula's Mount Palomar Winery winemaker Craig Boyd will host a five-course anniversary dinner with wine pairings from 7 to 10 p.m. April 25. The Fay Brothers will perform live. Cost is $90 (or $75 for Wine Club members). Mt. Palomar is at 33820 Rancho California Road. Call (951) 676-5047, Ext. 118.

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Meet the Chefs of Del Mar: The 13th annual fundraiser for Casa de Amparo will feature poolside tastings from 15 top Del Mar restaurants from 1 to 4 p.m. April 26 at the Hilton Del Mar, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Participants include Pamplemousse Grille, Sbicca, Addison, Silks, Red Tracton's, Pacifica Del Mar, Poseidon, Paradise Grille, Pacific Coast Grill, Americana, Epazote, Il Fornaio, Jake's Del Mar and others. Tickets are $100 (VIP tickets are $150). Call (760) 754-5500, Ext. 28.

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Dining Out for Life: Subaru's 19th annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser for HIV/AIDS will take place on April 30. More than 3,500 restaurants nationwide will donate a portion of sales that day toward HIV/AIDS programs within their community. In San Diego, more than 35 restaurants have signed up, and vow to donate up to 25 percent of the day's proceeds. For a list of participating local restaurants, visit: diningoutforlife.com/sandiego/participating.

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Fresh Farm dinner: Loews Coronado Bay Resort has introduced a seasonal dinner series that allows guests to dine with the purveyors who produce, harvest and catch the ingredients for their meal. The next event at Loew's Mistral Restaurant, from 7 to 9 p.m. May 5, will feature micro- and petite greens and edible flowers from Fresh Farm. Cost is $48. Call (619) 424-4000, Ext. 4475.

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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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New farmers market: Old Town Temecula is getting a new addition -- an indoor farmers market called Delaney's Artisan Foods Market. Food vendors must grow, produce, cook or bake the food within a 100-mile radius and it must be preservative-free. The market is expecting about 350 vendors when it opens next month. The building is on 5th Street between Front and Mercedes streets. Go to www.delaneysartisanfoodsmarket.com.

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Classes

Palomar Workforce & Community Development: The Escondido campus will host a "Sushi Bar Favorites" class at 1 p.m. March 21 at 1935 E. Valley Pkwy. Mineko Moreno, co-author of "Sushi for Dummies," will demonstrate how to prepare sushi dishes at home. Call (760) 891-7626 or go to palomar.edu/venture.

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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:

- 11 a.m. Thursday: Super Fast Chicken Dinners; $59

- 6 p.m. Thursday: Spring Dining in Napa Valley; $59

- Noon Friday: Learn-a-Lunch; $34

- 6 p.m. Friday: Fab-Friday -- Spanish Tapas; $59

- 11 a.m. Saturday: Crazy Cupcakes (Just for Kids); $34

- 6 p.m. Tuesday: Home Cooking with Japanese Flavors; $59

- 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday: French Bistro Cooking at Home; $59

- 6 p.m. March 19: Vegetarian Dinner Party; $59

- 6 p.m. March 20: Fab-Friday -- Spring/Easter Celebration; $59

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Children's cooking classes in Carlsbad: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids hosts weekly cooking classes for children with a new, all-organic menu every week: "Lil Explorers" (ages 4-7) from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Thursdays; and "First Mates" (ages 7 to 13), 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays; and for the older kids (ages 13-18), 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Classes cost from $25-$40 or $60-$100 for three. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C, in Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.

- This week: St. Patty's Day -- Colcannon with ham, Irish soda bread, Irish tea cakes

- Next week: Apples Galore -- Chicken apple sausage, California waldorf salad, cinnamon apple crisp

- Week of March 23: Fling into Spring -- Herbed mustard chicken drumsticks, corn tomato salad, seasonal fruit cups with mint dressing

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Captain Cook's adult classes: Captain Cook's Culinary Academy for Kids is also hosting adult cooking classes at 7 p.m. Thursdays or 11 a.m. Fridays this month. All classes in the "How to Boil Water" series are $45. Captain Cook's is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite C, in Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-2278 or go to www.captaincooksculinaryacademy.com.

- Thursday and Friday: St. Patty's Day Made Easy -- Irish potato soup, soda bread, colcannon with ham

- March 19/20: Pizzas Galore -- Homemade pizza dough, margherita pizza with homemade tomato sauce, BBQ chicken, garlic Parmesan and arugula

- March 26/27: Seasonal Soups -- Mushroom with sherry, carrot with ginger, French onion with gruyere cheese crouton

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Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio: Rosanne Zinniger's new 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. Upcoming:

- Fondant Cake Workshop: This two-week class runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Fee is $75 plus supplies.

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Macy's School of Cooking: The Mission Valley cooking school is hosting classes through the summer; prices vary. 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:

- Noon Saturday: Eat Well: Sustainable Seafood with Dustin Anselm; $30

- Noon March 21: French-Mediterranean Cooking with Amy DiBlase; $15

- Noon March 28: Easter Celebration with Bernard Guillas; $10

- Noon April 4: Great Gatherings with Janet Burgess; $15

- Noon April 11: Eat Well: Sustainable Meats with Dustin Anselm; $30

- Noon April 18: Fresh and Local with Bernard Guillas; $10

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

- 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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Thornton Winery Spring Cooking Class: The Fallbrook Winery's executive chef Steve Pickell will demonstrate how to prepare several spring dishes including chilled carrot and ginger soup, Parmesan-crusted halibut and mango mousse at 3 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $70 and includes samples and recipes. Thornton is at 32575 Rancho California Road. Call (951) 699-0099.

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Hands-on Chocolate Class: Dallman Confections will host a two-part, make-your-own gourmet chocolates class from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 21 and 22 at the Hotel del Coronado's ENO shop. The first class will teach how to make a ganache, infuse herbs and spices and how to decorate and dip chocolates. The second class will teach how to temper and mold chocolates, make caramel and other techniques. Class is $60 and limited to six. Register at (619) 808-1749.

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Culinary series at The Grand Del Mar: These monthly two-hour sessions take place all year, conducted by the resort's chefs. Classes are limited; call (858) 314-2000. The Grand Del Mar is at 5300 Grand Del Mar Court. Upcoming:

- 6:30 p.m. April 1: Brunch, Anyone? -- Executive Chef Jason McLeod will make Dungeness Crab Benedict, Egg White Frittata and Healthy Smoothies; at the resort kitchen; $95 per person

- 10 a.m. May 9: Just For Kids -- McLeod leads a hands-on session with Stuffed French Toast With Creme Fraiche And Marinated Figs with fresh-squeezed juices; at the resort kitchen; $75 for parent and child, $25 for an additional child (limit two children per adult)

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Cafe Merlot: The pet-friendly restaurant, which is connected to Bernardo Winery's tasting room, offers cooking and wine classes for $50 per person. The restaurant is at 13330 Paseo del Verano N, San Diego; call (858) 592-7785.

- 5:30 p.m. March 31

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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. Upcoming tastings:

- 5-8 p.m. Friday: Meet the Winemaker, Drew Dickenson of Andrew Lane Wines; $20.

- 5-8 p.m. March 20: Wine Stars of San Diego, Wiens Family Cellars, Chapin Wines and Christopher Cameron; $20.

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Gaslamp Strip Club: The grill-your-own steakhouse and cocktail lounge in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter offers the Dirty Dozen drink menu with 12 new $5 happy hour cocktails, available from 5 to 7 p.m. daily and all night Sundays. It's at 340 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Call (619) 231-3140.

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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 event for $5. Call (760) 745-1200. Also coming up:

- 5:30 p.m. Monday: "Green" wines; $5

- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: St. Patricks' Day Belgian beer tasting; $5

- 5:30 p.m. March 23: Wines from Spain; $5

- 5:30 p.m. March 28: New Belgium Brewing Co. premium tasting; $15-$20

- 5:30 p.m. March 30: Blind tasting of sauvignon blancs; $5

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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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Vinz Wine Bar: Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Wine tastings from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Tastings, from $5 to $10, come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays and outdoor patio dining. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 743-8466 or 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 ($20). House tastings any time ($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. 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.

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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.

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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.