MAIN EVENTS
The American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) San Diego chapter presents a late lunch at Jordan at the new Tower 23 Hotel in Pacific Beach, beginning at 2 p.m. tomorrow at 723 Felspar St. Cost is $55 for AIWF members, $75 nonmembers. Reservations and information: (619) 297-0951.
WINE TASTINGS
Loews Coronado Bay Resort's sommelier, Kurt Kirschenman, presents a tasting flight of California reds paired with appetizers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tomorrow in the resort's Azzura Point Lounge, 4000 Coronado Bay Road. $10. Reservations: (619) 424-4000.
The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center presents wines from Paraiso Vineyards as part of its live jazz, wine and cheese evening, from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the center, 200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120. Cost is $7. (619) 231-6400 or www.sdwineculinary.com.Jonathan's presents a "Spanish Value Reds" tasting, paired with cheese, bread and fruit, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, and 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 7, at 7611 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $13. (858) 459-2677.
Wine Street presents a tasting of "The Best Under $20" wines, paired with appetizers, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, Carlsbad. $15. Reservations: (760) 431-8455.
The WineSellar & Brasserie presents "Basic Burgundy" at its weekly wine-tasting lunch, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at 9550 Waples St., Suite 115. $22 for the tasting; lunch is $9.50. Reservations: (858) 450-9557.
Grape Connections presents a tasting of cabernet sauvignons that won't break the bank, paired with appetizers, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at 1130 Scott St., Point Loma. $15. Reservations: (619) 523-6441.
The Wine Encounter hosts a meeting of its Back Room Wine Club at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at 690 University Ave. This month features a blind tasting of zinfandel or Argentinean malbecs. Cost is $25 including appetizers. To reserve a spot, e-mail brijackson@cox.net. A blind zinfandel testing is at 7 p.m. Jan. 11. Cost is $15 per person and includes bread and crackers. Information and reservations: (619) 543-9463.
Sonoma Valley Market hosts daily wine tastings: 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 300, Carlsbad. Cost is $5 to $10 per flight. (760) 720-7700.
COOKING CLASSES
"Hearty and Easy One-DishMeals," a class offered by Healthy Gourmet Cooking School, meets from 9 to 11 a.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at Lake San Marcos Resort. $42. Registration: Leah Krevitz, (760) 744-2710; or Cindy Holt, (760) 942-9053.
Amy Malone School of Cake Decorating, 4212 Camino Alegre, La Mesa, offers a variety of classes:
"Cake Decorating for Beginners," a six-week class with Amy Malone, 10 a.m. to noon or 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 10 to Feb. 21. Cost is $65, with a $10 deposit due by Jan. 6.
"Vegetable Flower Centerpieces" with Malone, 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 14. Cost is $25, with a $10 deposit due by Jan. 10.
Reservations: (619) 660-1900.
Great News! Cooking School, 1788 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, offers a variety of classes:
"Friday Night Dinner Party: Chinese New Year's Celebration" with Phillis Carey, 6 p.m. Jan. 6. $49.
"Hands-on Basic Sushi" with Mineko Moreno, 1 p.m. Jan. 7. $69.
"Big Night Timpano" with Carol Blomstrom, 6 p.m. Jan. 9. $49.
"The Everyday Gourmet," taught by Carey, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. $44.
"One Day of Cooking for Five Days of Dining," taught by Katherine Emmenegger, 6 p.m. Jan. 10. $49.
"Hands-on Sashimi" with Moreno, 6 p.m. Jan. 11. $69. "Chinese New Year" with Dee Biller, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12. $44.
"Fast and Fabulous Boneless Chicken Breasts" with Carey, 6 p.m. Jan. 12. $44. Reservations: (858) 270-1582, Ext. 3, or www.great-news.com.The Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop, 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas, offers a variety of classes:
"Fab Friday: An Invitation to the Japanese Table," taught by Mineko Moreno, 6 p.m. Jan. 6. $55.
"Just 4 Kids: Big Top Circus Foods" with Jen Bland, 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Jan. 7. $30.
"Hit the Road With Steakhouse 66," taught by chef-owner Jim Barrasso, 6 p.m. Jan. 9. $55.
"Martinis and Hors D'Oeuvres" with Phillis Carey, 6 p.m. Jan. 10. $55.
"Cool Weather Comfort Foods" with Carey, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Jan. 11. $50.
"Encore Tuscany" with Nadia Frigeri, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Jan. 12. $50.
Reservations: (760) 942-3228.
Macy's School of Cooking in Macy's Mission Valley Home Store, 1555 Camino de la Reina, offers a variety of classes:
"Knife Sharpening Clinic" with Brian Menzies of Wustof-Trident of America, noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 7. Free.
"Gourmet Dining at Home" with executive chef Orion Balliet of Azul La Jolla, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12. $25.
Reservations: (619) 299-9811, Ext. 4231.
Sur La Table at the Forum at Carlsbad, 1915 Calle Barcelona, offers a "French Bistro Night With the Rancho Bernardo Inn" with executive chef Lewis Butler, 6 p.m. Jan. 10. $55. Reservations: (760) 635-1316 or www.surlatable.com.Voila!, 12873 El Camino Real, Carmel Valley, offers a variety of classes:
"Fast and Fabulous Boneless Chicken Breasts," taught by Phillis Carey, 6 p.m. Jan. 9. $55.
"Encore Tuscany," taught by Nadia Frigeri, 6 p.m. Jan. 10. $55.
"Chinese New Year Party" with Dee Biller, 6 p.m. Jan. 11. $55.
"Tailgate Cuisine," taught by Sabine Brown, 6 p.m. Jan. 12. $55.
Reservations: (858) 523-9446.
Compiled by Caroline Dipping.Send information about food or wine events to: Food Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191.
