News, announcements and events:

New products

LOW-CARB SOUP: Progresso offers new Progresso Carb Monitor soups for those on reduced-carbohydrate diets. Flavors are Chicken Vegetable, Beef Vegetable, Tuscan-Style Meatball and Chicken Cheese Enchilada Style. Suggested retail price is $2.59 per 18.5-ounce can.

Father's Day

These restaurants are offering something special for Father's Day, June 19:

Aqua Terra Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Pala Mesa Resort, Fallbrook: Brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost is $32.95 for adults, $15.95 for ages 6-12, free for 6 and under. Reserve to (760) 731-6805 or visit www.aquaterra.com or www.palamesa.com.

Good causes

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Senior Gleaners of San Diego County members pick fruit and collect supermarket-donated groceries that would otherwise go to waste, and give them to nonprofit organizations. Anyone age 55 and older is welcome to join the group or attend its bimonthly meetings at the Rancho Bernardo Library. Volunteers are needed to assist with picking, driving and supplying pickup trucks for delivering. Call (760) 746-1674 or (619) 582-2299.

Openings

NEW MARKET: Leucadia Hwy101 Main Street Association (Leucadia 101) announces the opening of the Leucadia Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 26. Leucadia 101 is sponsoring the market with the Paul Ecke Central School PTA. The market will feature certified California-grown fruits and vegetables as well as specialty foods and original arts. The market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the Paul Ecke School, 185 Union St., Leucadia. Proceeds will help fund school programs and help support the nonprofit Leucadia 101. Call (760) 436-2320 or visit www.leucadia101.com. The market is still looking for artisans. Call (760) 436-2320 or Farmers Market manager Ron La Chance at (858) 272-7054.

Events

ALTON'S IN TOWN: Rancho Bernardo Inn chef Gavin Kaysen will be part of a free event sponsored by Simon Super Chefs Live! from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. July 16 at Fashion Valley Mall outside Macy's. Celebrity chef Alton Brown, host of "Good Eats" seen on Food Network, will be doing live cooking performances, as will Kaysen and Tony DiSalvo, chef/owner of Jack's La Jolla. Audience members will be selected to be sous chefs to the stars during a live-action, on-stage Simon Super Chefs Live! Cookoff as the day's final event. Call (619) 688-9113.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Mall, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar, offers a tasting of "Firm & Friendly," firm cheeses with a lot of character and taste, from 2-4 p.m. June 25. Reserve to (858) 847-9616. Cost is $8 (free for Aniata Club Members).

ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Falkner Winery in Temecula Valley hosts a weekend anniversary party from July 2-4. Free jazz performances, winery tours, huge sales, and other events. Guests will be able to enjoy food, wine and live jazz while relaxing at tables under the winerys new canopies. Find more at www.falknerwinery.com or call (951) 676-8231.

FREE TASTES: In honor of National Ice Cream Month, between 10 a.m. and noon July 2, every Cold Stone Creamery location nationwide will offer free tasting samples of these flavors —— Wasabi Ginger, Fruity Cereal, Black Licorice, Oatmeal Cookie Batter and Tangerine Sorbet. These flavors are available only during July and will be followed by one new flavor each month: Blueberry in August, Cookie Batter in September, Espresso in October, Carrot Cake Batter in November, and Dark Chocolate Peppermint in December.

In the spirits

FERRARI CARANO DINNER: Bernard'O's restaurant in Rancho Bernardo offers a five-course Ferrari Carano Winemaker's Dinner on Tuesday. Call (858) 487-7171.

MOUNT PALOMAR DINNER: Prestos Gourmet Italian restaurant presents a wine dinner featuring Mount Palomar wines at 6:30 p.m. June 27. Wine expert Sue Hanna will be on hand and Chef Ron Paine will explain the meals and how they pair with each wine. Cost is $75. Reserve to (951) 699-0019 or e-mail to ron@prestostoday.com. Prestos Gourmet is at 30590 Rancho California Road in Temecula.

WEEKLY TASTING: Wine Street Inc. hosts tastings from 5:30-8 p.m. Fridays. Appetizers to match the wines are served. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, in Carlsbad. Cost is $20 unless otherwise noted. Call (760) 431-8455 or visit www.winestreet.com:

Friday: Pinot Envy, Pinot Craze.

June 24: Pre-release tasting of Silver Oak's 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet, $25.

July 1: Zin-Dependence Tasting.

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

Classes

AT BERNARD'O: Bernard'O restaurant in Rancho Bernardo offers a "Summer Grilling" cooking class at 11 a.m. June 25 with ideas for the Fourth of July. Learn how to do a grilled pizza or a whole grilled king salmon. Cost is $50. Call (858) 487-7171.

CUBAN COOKING: Alchemy of the Hearth offers "The Art of Cuban Cooking," a series of six classes from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays starting July 5 through Poway Adult School. A love of garlic is a good idea. Reserve to (858) 668-4000 or visit www.powayadultschool.com.

KITCHEN WITCH: These classes and more are offered at the Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop & Cooking School, 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas. Price is $44 unless otherwise noted. Call (760) 942-3228 or visit www.kitchenwitchonline.com:

Friday, Hot Summer Nights

Saturday, Dad's Day Brunch

Monday, Little Italy Tour

Monday and Wednesday, Meat & Potato Salads

Flavors of France with Guest Chef Scott Wright from Cardiffís Seaside Market, June 22

Crustacean Cookery, June 23

Summer Americana Dining, June 24

Coast to Coast from Portofino to Amalfi, June 24

Sushi for Dummies Workshop, June 25

Some Like it Hot, June 28

AT PECHANGA: Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula offers "Summer Harvest" at 11:30 a.m. July 16 in Hummingbird Hall. Tickets are $37.50 per class or $125 for all four. Call (877) 711-2WIN.

Open Ocean Game and Tropical Treats, Aug. 13

AT SUR LA TABLE: These classes and more are offered at Sur La Table, Carlsbad. Classes are $55 unless otherwise noted. Register to (760) 635-1316 or visit surlatable.com:

Summer Salads and Cool Desserts for Al Fresco Entertaining, Tuesday

It's All From the Grill, Wednesday

Kids' Mini-Camp: Special-Occasion Baking and Decorating (ages 9-13), June 23 and 24, $100 for series (also June 30-July1)

Summer Weekend Sushi Party, June 23, $80

Essential Knife Skills, June 27, $65

Slow and Savory Italian for Easy Summer Cooking, June 28, $60

All-American Fourth of July, June 30, $65

Further Knife Skills, July 7, $70

White and Rose Wine Pairing, (ages 21 and up), July 8, $70

Athenian Gyros BBQ, July 9, free

Kids Camp: Cooking Around the World (ages 5-8), July 11-15, $250

Unforgettable Salmon, July 11

Aloha from Roy's, July 13, $60

Farmers Market Tour and Cooking Class: Pacific Beach, July 16, $70

Kids Camp: Cooking Around the World, (ages 9-13), July 18-22, $250

Perfect Peach Treats With the Pastry Queen, July 18, $45

Saveur Cooks Americana, July 19, $70

Non-Grilling Picnics, with Jimbo's…Naturally, July 20, free (reserve to 760-334-7755)

Cook The Sunset Cover: The Best Gourmet Picnic, July 21, $45

Icy Summer Desserts, July 26, $60

Cooking School Secrets for Home Cooks, July 28

Summer Pies and Tarts, July 30

Kids Camp: Cooking Rocks! (ages 5-8), Aug. 1-5, $250

Secrets for Perfect Barbecue, Aug. 2, $65

An Evening in the Greek Islands, (ages 21 and up), Aug.4, $70

Small Summer Plates, Aug. 9, $75

A Mid-Summer Night's Cocktail Party, (ages 21 and up), Aug. 11, $65

A Night at Asia-Vous, Aug. 15, $65

Chain news

MCDONALD'S CHICKEN: San Diego McDonald's restaurants launch the Premium Chicken Sandwich line: Classic Lettuce & Tomato, Ranch BLT and Club. Each is made with a choice of a grilled or crispy chicken breast, and toppings served on a honey wheat roll. Price ranges from $3.19 to $3.79.

BOSTON BEEF: Boston Market is now offering customers white meat, dark meat and "red meat." The chain introduces new roasted top sirloin meals —— 5-ounce and 8-ounce lean steak entrees, a BBQ Sirloin & Cheddar Toasted Deli-Sliced Carver sandwich, and a Sirloin Dip Toasted Boston Carver sandwich. Average retail prices for sirloin meals, which include two sides and cornbread, are $7.99 (5 ounces) and $10.99 (8 ounces). Sirloin a la carte is $10.49 for one pound. The BBQ Sirloin & Cheddar Deli-Sliced Carver is about $4.29 or $5.99 sold as a meal with one side and drink. The Sirloin Dip Carver sandwich is about $5.99 or $7.75 as a meal.

TURKEY DOG: Wienerschnitzel introduces a Turkey Dog, available with a choice of six toppings. Prices start at $1.19.

Making changes

FRONT-ROW SEATS: 150 Grand Cafe in Escondido has created a chef's table with seating right in front of the cooking line. Guests may reserve the table to enjoy the action, sounds and aromas of the kitchen while they dine. The "Chef's Tasting Menu" will be $65 per person by reservation and will include interaction with the chefs. Call (760) 738-6868.

New faces

Julien Hug, son of proprietor and restaurateur Bertrand Hug, is the new manager/host of Mille Fleurs restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. The announcement coincides with the restaurant's 20th anniversary. To celebrate, Mille Fleurs is offering patrons a VIP card for special rewards. Call (858) 756-3085.

Honors and awards

Chef Carl Schroeder of Arterra at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar was the recipient of the "Chef of the Year" award by the California Travel Industry Association.

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.