PETA's Vegan College Cookbook launch among food events this week in the LA area

Los Angeles, San Feando Valley and Santa Monica area

Events

Il Foaio: Rotating monthly menu features regional specialties of Italy: food and wine from Liguria through March 31. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 6320 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-297-1700. www.ilfoaio.com

PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook launch party: Cooking demonstration and samples from the book, 2 p.m. April 2. PETA, Bob Barker Building, 2154 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-644-7382. features.peta2.com/cookbook

Hinoki & the Bird: Pop-up five-course dier with Mei Lin, a “Top Chef” wier, 6 p.m. April 4. Tickets $95; $160 with wine pairing. Reservations required. 10 Century Drive, Los Angeles. 310-552-1200. www.hinokiandthebird.com

Califoia Strawberry Festival Berry Blast Off recipe contest: Create a non-baked (use of grill, fryer, stove-top permitted) recipe with strawberries as the key ingredient for a chance to win a grand prize at the aual festival May 21-22 in Oxnard. Recipe may be in various categories including appetizer, dip, drink, dessert, jam and entree; must serve five. Deadline for submission is April 8. Check website for rules. Festival is held at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. www.strawberry-fest.org/events-attractions/contests

Culinary Historians of Southe Califoia: Andrew F. Smith discusses “Fast Food: A Global Perspective,” 10:30 a.m. April 9. Free. Los Angeles Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St. 323-663-5407. www.chscsite.org

The Other Door: “The Red Lobstah Crab Feast,” 2-7 p.m. April 9. Free entry before 3 p.m.; $5 after. Cost of crab or crawfish plate $20. Portion of proceeds goes to Children’s Heart Foundation. 10437 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. 818-508-7008. www.theotherdoorbar.com

Decadence: Sample chocolate, desserts, beer and wine, 4-7 p.m. April 10. Tickets $65; purchased only in advance. Specialty cars will be on display for viewing. Proceeds go to support programs at the San Feando Valley Community Mental Health Center. Galpin Motors, The Collection, 15600 Roscoe Blvd., Van Nuys. 818-901-4830. www.movinglivesforward.org/decadence

Taste of the Valley: Food and wine tasting, 5-8:30 p.m. April 21. Tickets $55; $65 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Valley Cultural Center. Event will be held at Westfield Topanga, Macy’s top parking lot, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. 818-704-1358. www.valleycultural.org

CLASSES

Sur La Table at The Village at Westfield Topanga: Cooking from the book “My Paris Kitchen,” 6:30 p.m. March 29 ($79); Thai Menu, 6:30 p.m. March 30 ($69); Spring Pies and Tarts, 11 a.m. March 31 ($69); Knife Skills with Wusthof, 6:30 p.m. March 31 ($100, includes a knife); French Pastry Secrets, 11 a.m. April 1 and 10 a.m. April 3 ($69); Farm to Table Favorites, 11 a.m. April 4 ($69); Souffles, 6:30 p.m. April 4 ($69); Inteational Dumplings, 11 a.m. April 5 ($69); Lea to Cut Like a Pro, 6:30 p.m. April 5 ($59); Chocolate Workshop, 11 a.m. April 7 ($69); Moroccan Cuisine, 6:30 p.m. April 7 ($69); Croissants, 11 a.m. April 8 ($69); British Teatime Favorites, 10 a.m. April 9 ($69); Hawaiian-style Entertaining, 1 p.m. April 9 ($69). Reservations required. 6316 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. 800-243-0852. www.surlatable.com

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Cook LA: Sushi 101, 5:30 p.m. April 3; Knife Skills, 6:45 p.m. April 4; Cooking with Wine and Spirits, 6:30 p.m. April 9; Artisan Breads, 4 p.m. April 10; Thai, 6:30 p.m. April 16; Cooking Basics: Blanch, Grill, Saute, 5:30 p.m. April 17; Pizza, 7 p.m. April 22; Fresh Pasta, 6:30 p.m. April 23; Pastries, 1 p.m. April 24. Cost $80. Reservations required. 10938 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. 818-760-5157. www.cooklaonline.com

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San Gabriel Valley area

Events

Cal Poly Pomona: “Spring Harvest,” farm to dier of foods grown locally and prepared by local executive chefs, 4-7 p.m. April 9. Plus, wines from Hahn Family Wines and Joseph Filippi Winery of Rancho Cucamonga to compliment the evening’s menu. AGRIscapes Center, next to the Cal Poly Pomona Farm Store. $125 per person, over 21 only. 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona. To buy tickets or more information, http://www.springharvest.cpp.edu

Claud Beltran’s Bacchus Kitchen: PEN, Pasadena Education Network, hosts an evening of wine and craft spirit tastings, appetizers and desserts with live music and a silent auction, 5-8 p.m. April 10. $75 wine tasting or $100 ticket which includes Stark Spirit Tasting. 1384 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena. 866-216-7334. www.penfamilies.org

Rose Bowl: “Masters of Taste,” food and beverage festival to benefit Union Station Homeless Services, April 3. Welcoming chefs from all over the Los Angeles area, VIP admission, 3-7 p.m. $225 and general admission, 4-7 p.m. $125. 626-791-6677. www.MastersofTasteLA.com

Riverside Tamale Festival: Tamale eating contest, over 30 food vendors, craft beer, arts and craft booths, Mexican folk dancing. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 16. No outside food or animals. $1 admission. White Park, 3936 Chestnut St. www.riversidetamalefestival.weebly

Classes

A and J Cake and Candy Supplies: Butter cream ruffles, flowers and bows, 4 sessions 6-8 p.m. Mondays, March 28-April 18. $40. Mode butter cream, 4 Monday sessions, begins March 28. $40, to register and find out supply list for first class. 2254 E. Route 66 Blvd., Glendora. Must register in advance for each to 626-335-7747. www.ajcake.com

Bristol Farms: Wine Pairings Made in Heaven...For Earthlings, 6-8 p.m. March 31. $20. Reservations required, 626-441-5450. 606 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena. www.bristolfarms.com/events

Huntington Library: “Taste of Art: Contemporary Califoia,” 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 2. $100. “Wine Tasting: Bargain Wines from around the World,” 5-7:30 p.m. April 13. $105. For each of these, register online to www.Huntington.org. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 626-405-2100.

Sur La Table: Let’s make pasta, 10 a.m. March 30. Date night: Taste of Tuscany, 2 p.m. March 30. $79. Quick and tasty Thai, 6:30 p.m. March 30. Eating well: Mediterranean flavors, 10 a.m. March 31. Mexico street-style tacos, 2 p.m. March 31. French pastry secrets, 10 a.m. April 1. Lea to cut like a pro, 2 p.m. April 1. $59. Date night: Mode steakhouse, 6:30 p.m. April 1. $85. Discover Korean flavors, 2 p.m. April 2, 10 a.m. April 3. Date night: Spectacular seafood, 5 and 8 p.m. April 2. $79. Healthy whole food cooking, 2 p.m. April 3. Incredible homemade pizza, 6 p.m. April 3. Classes are $69 unless otherwise noted. Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles. 323-954-0121 or [email protected]

The Village Kitchen Shoppe: Hands on: Spaghetti a la Norma, Portobello mushrooms with Prosciutto and Fontina, 6 p.m. March 31. $60. Lunch and lea class: Beer-braised caitas nachos, 11 a.m. April 1. $30. Take a break: Blackberry, honey and walnut salad to fudge pie, 11 a.m. April 2. $60. 147 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. Reservations to 626-914-7897 or villagekitchenshoppe.com

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Inland Valley area

Events

Palm Desert Food & Wine: April 8-10, $100-$150, various times and locations in Palm Desert. Experience more than 20 celebrity chefs and enjoy 60 premium spirits, wines, and champagnes, as well as tastings from more than 40 fine restaurants and culinary brands, www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com

Classes

Claremont Chefs Academy: Relleno es Bueno, experts will teach you how to make chili relleno, calabacitas and mangos diablo, 5-7 p.m. April 9, $45, 514 W. First St., Claremont, 909-625-7505, www.claremontchefsacademy.com

Cooking Block: Sauce It Up, lea the secrets of sauce making from simple sauces to more complex techinquies, 6:30 p.m. April 6, $59, 721 Nevada St, #407, Redlands, 909-878-6140, www.cookingblock.com

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Long Beach area

Classes

Wine Country: Spotlight on Madeira, Sample the the finest wines of this historic island. 7:30-9:30 p.m. April 1, $45, reservations required; Oyster Fest chef Shelley Bojorquez will present oysters with a crew from Saint & Second providing the shucking, to be followed by washing it all down with wines from France, 1-4 p.m. April 2, $15-$30, 2301 Redondo Ave., Long Beach, 562-597-8303, thewinecountry.com

Chef Tech Cooking School: My Big Fat Vegetarian Greek Dier Party: Enjoy traditional Greek cooking, 6:30 p.m. April 1, $65, 3842 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 562-989-2467, www.cookingschoolsofamerica.com