food and wine events

EVENTS

Third annual 31-cent scoop night — 5-10 p.m. April 29. Ice cream lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor for only 31 cents while paying tribute to local fire heroes of all ages. Baskin-Robbins is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council. Participating Baskin-Robbins stores will help raise additional funds for local firehouses by inviting fire departments to the event to collect donations. www.baskinrobbins.com.

First Fusion Friday — 5-7:30 p.m. May 1. Combine the healthful fresh creations of Scooters with the heart-friendly Red Fusion. Enjoy fun, country atmosphere with live music by Tapestry. Admission includes wine tasting, appetizers and souvenir wine glass. Borra Vineyards, 1301 E. Armstrong Road, Lodi. $10. 209-368-2446, www.borravineyards.com.

Five Star Night Benefit for Alameda County Meals on Wheels — 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 1. Featuring a Champagne and fine wine reception, silent and live auctions, gala dinner and dancing with Salsamania. The three-course dinner and dessert buffet, under the guidance of Narsai David and Ellen Tussman, will be created by 15 of the Bay Area's finest chefs. 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. $250. Reservations by April 29. 510-577-3580.

The Melting Pot San Mateo Mother's Day Celebration — Noon-9 p.m. May 10. 

Enjoy fondue cuisine with a cool refreshment or a glass of wine. In addition to their Mother's Day specials, guests can choose from a number of house specials. $49 adults, $25 children 5-12, $10 children younger than 5. 2 North B St., San Mateo. 650-342-6358.

Cooking For Solutions 2009 — May 15-16. Cooking for Solutions Gala, 7:30-10:30 p.m. May 15. $120-$150. Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations 8-11:30 a.m. May 16. $60-$75. Food and Wine Adventure, 9:30 a.m. May 16. $175-$225. Deluxe Adventure with Thomas Keller, Jim Fetzer and Julie Pacard, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 16. $675-$850. Sustainable Seafood Information Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. Event packages available. 831-644-7561, www.cookingforsolutions.org.

Passport to Sonoma Valley — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16-17. Tour one day or the entire weekend as more than 50 Sonoma Valley Wineries present more than 300 wine and food pairings. Your passport and commemorative wine glass give you unlimited tastings, discounts on wine purchases and entry to Sonoma Valley's wineries and hidden gems not normally open to the public. $50-$65. 707-935-0803, www.sonomavalleywine.com., www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com.

June Fusion Friday — 5-7:30 p.m. June 5. Sunset in a sea of vines. Featuring complimentary appetizers from Shadow Oaks Steak House. Music by Stringin' Along. Borra Vineyards, 1301 E. Armstrong Road, Lodi. $10 admission includes wine tasting, appetizers and souvenir wine glass. 209-368-2446, www.borravineyards.com.

Classes

n Healthy Eating — 2-3 p.m. Saturdays, May 2, 23, June 13, 20. Joni Sare (NE, chef) discusses cooking techniques, menu planning, whole foods nutrition, emotional eating, biochemistry, physiology and more. Attend all classes or one. Harvest House Natural Food Store, Classroom K, 2395 Monument Blvd., Concord. Free. 925-381-8498, www.jonisare.com.

The Chef's Table at Viva Cucina — Spend an evening with San Ramon Valley's chefs in a private dinner class. Watch while they prepare a four-course dinner, then sit down and enjoy the meal, wine and conversation. 6-9 p.m. May 3. Executive Chef Michael Baker from Piatti, Barbara Kelly from Viva Cucina and Phi Long from Longevity wines. 6-9 p.m. May 28, with Executive Chef Kevin Gin from Bridges in Danville, Barbara Kelly from Viva Cucina and Phil Long from Longevity wines. 407 Fremerey Court, Danville. $120 each. Reservations required. 925-820-6612, www.vivacucina.com.

Busy Bee Cooks — 1:30-2:30 p.m. Fridays May 8-29. Students ages 4-5 will learn proper nutrition and healthy eating habits while having fun and learning to cook. Students will learn how to safely use various utensils, appliances and the importance of proper cleanup. Heather Farm Community Center, 301 N. San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. $125, plus $20 lab fee. 925-943-5858, www.walnutcreekrec.org.

Pans of Fire hands-on cooking classes — Learn new recipes and cooking techniques while you prepare a three- or four-course meal and then sit down to enjoy it. Bring your friends. www.pansonfire.com/cookingclasses.php.

Ramekins Cooking Classes — Several classes to pick from. 450 W. Spain St., Sonoma. For a list of classes, go to www.ramekins.com. 707-933-0450.

Contests

n "Mushroom Every Day, Every Way Recipe Contest" — Through May 18. Enter your mushroom recipe(s) in the following categories: 1. Happily Veggie After: Best recipe using mushrooms as a substitute for meat (e.g. Portabella burger). 2. Mushroom Main Event: Best recipe using mushrooms as an important part of a main dish or dinner recipe (e.g. Cranberry Mushroom Beef Brisket). 3. Inspiring Appetizers: Best appetizer recipe using different types of mushroom varieties (e.g. Bacon and Shiitake Stuffed Mushrooms). 4. Fun Fungi: Best recipe with an unusual use of mushrooms (e.g. Mushroom Ice Cream). Top entries in each category will receive $1,000. The grand prize winner will receive an additional $1,000. www.mushroominfo.com.

Dreyer's 2009 Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute — Dryer's Slow Churned is searching for 1,500 communities that deserve a sweet treat and a reason to bond over bowls of ice cream. Each winning neighborhood will receive a doorstep delivery of Dreyer's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream in a variety of flavors and party supplies for up to 100 people. By visiting www.slowchurned.com. until May 29, consumers can submit essays of 350 words or less or upload a video submission not to exceed one minute in length explaining why their neighborhood deserves a Dreyer's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute. Essays will be judged based on originality/creativity, enthusiasm and what makes their neighborhood special. Winning neighborhoods will be notified in June.

Green & Black's "Live in the &" Contest — Green & Black's Organic chocolate wants to find out how others live green & black, making eco-friendly choices while not compromising on life's everyday indulgences. Submit an original story (200 words minimum) on how you balance both the eco-friendly and indulgent in your life. The winner will receive an exclusive guest package for two to the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, June 19-21. Entries accepted through April 30. www.foodandwine.com/greenandblacks.

Tuscany To You — Marchesi de Frescobaldi, the 700-year-old winemaking dynasty, has launched its "Tuscany to You" recipe contest. The contest invites busy home cooks, aspiring chefs and food lovers from across America to submit a favorite Italian recipe for a chance to win a Tuscan feast for four cooked in the comfort of their own home by visiting Italian chef Donatella Zampoli (formerly of Michelin-starred Mas del Saugo in Northern Italy). The contest will run through July 31 and recipes will be submitted through the Tuscany Tonight Web site www.tuscanytonight.com.

Ongoing

n Rocco's Ristorante and Pizzeria — Nightly specials and live music Saturday nights. Go to www.roccospizzeria.com.

Wine Tasting — 5:30-7 p.m. Fridays and 3:30-5 p.m. Saturdays. WineStyles, 1532 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $5-$10. 925-906-9463.

Ladies' Night Out — First Wednesday of every month. Four-course menu. Melting Pot, 2 North B St., San Mateo. $35. 650-342-6358, www.meltingpot.com.