News, announcements and events:

New products

SALAD FIXINGS: The T. Marzetti Company introduces new flavors of salad dressings and an easy-to-hold, rounded-square bottle with a shrink-sleeve label. New varieties are Blue Cheese, Ultimate Blue Cheese, Buffalo Blue Cheese, Asiago Peppercorn, Three Cheese Italian, Baja Ranch, Asian Ginger and Honey Balsamic, all in the 15-ounce size bottle.

Good causes

WINE & DINE: The 10th annual Palomar College Foundation "Wine & Dine" fund-raiser starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Old Richland Schoolhouse, San Marcos. Enjoy wine-tasting from local award-winning wineries, dinner, entertainment and a silent and live auction highlighting student art. Funds raised will go toward the financial needs of the college and scholarships. Cost is $150 per person or $300 per couple. Call Deborah Stanley at (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2733.

TASTING SESSION: Carlsbad Wine Merchants hosts a tasting of the wines of Paso Robles and the Central Coast from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Cost is $55 couple, $30 single. Proceeds benefit the North County Community Services Food Bank. Bring a canned good or packaged dry food for the Food Bank and get another tasting ticket. Reserve by Friday to (888) 750-WINE.

Events

CELEBRITY CHEF: Giada De Laurentiis will sign copies of "Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes" from 3-4 p.m. today at the Sur La Table store at the Carlsbad Forum shops, 1915 Calle Barcelona. Customers interested in attending the book-signing must reserve a book by calling the participating store. All books must be purchased at Sur La Table and accompanied by a valid receipt. Call (760) 635-1316.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Mall, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar, offers a tasting of "All American Artisanal Cheeses" from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Reserve to (858) 847-9616. Cost is $8 (free for Aniata Club Members).

In the spirits

FERRARI CARANO DINNER: Bernard'O's restaurant in Rancho Bernardo offers a five-course Ferrari Carano Winemaker's Dinner on June 21. Call (858) 487-7171.

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: Elderton Command Shiraz with the wines of New Zealand and Australia.

June 17: 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

CHOCOLATE FUN: Chuao Chocolatier continues a series of chocolate classes from 6-8 p.m. June 15, 22 and 29 at 937 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas. Chocolatiers Michael Antonorsi and Brian Vandenbrouke offer a hands-on learning experience. Classes cost $60. Call (888) 635-1444 or email info@chuaochocolatier.com.

SUMMER GRILLING: 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 at Poway Adult School. A love of garlic is a good idea. Reserve to (858) 668-4000 or visit www.powayadultschool.com.ÝÝÝÝÝ

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:

Monday, Get Your Fix from Steakhouse 66 with guest chef Jim Barrasso

Tuesday, 4th of July BBQ

Wednesday, Put a Stick in It! (Kabobs, Satays & Skewers)

Wednesday, Big Easy BBQ

June 17, Hot Summer Nights

June 18, Dad's Day Brunch

June 20, Little Italy Tour

June 20 and 22, Meat & Potato SaladsÝÝÝÝ

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

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:

Farmers Market Tour and Cooking Class: Vista, $70, Saturday.

French-Asian Fusion From Asia-Vous, $75, Monday.

Around the World, Jimbo's, free, Wednesday (register through Jimbo's)

Contemporary French Cuisine from El Bizcocho, June 16.

Chain news

BREAKFAST IN HAND: Jack in the Box introduces the Meaty Breakfast Burrito, a flour tortilla stuffed with ham, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar and pepperjack cheeses and served with a side of fire-roasted salsa. Suggested price is $1.99 .

RUBY'S BURGER: Ruby's Diner introduces a Breakfast Burger: two fried eggs layered with bacon and American cheese, topped with spacial sauce. They're also available at lunch and dinner. Visit www.rubys.com.

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.

Making changes

NEW BRUNCH: Friar's Folly Wine Cellar restaurant, 1032 San Marcos Blvd., No. 196, San Marcos, now offers weekend brunch from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with breakfast foods, salads and sandwiches. Prices range from $4.50 to $7.50. Call (760) 736-8035.

Honors and awards

Encinitas resident Bernard Guillas, executive chef of the Marine Room in La Jolla, has been named 2004 Chef of the Year by Chef Magazine, based in Chicago. … Gavin Kaysen, chef de cuisine at El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, was a guest chef May 23 at the James Beard House in New York City, where he created a five-course dinner.

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.