Unless an event is designated "free," tickets and/or reservations may be required. For best results, call (or visit Web sites) ahead.

July 11: A cask of Telegraph Brewing Co.'s "bourbon barrel porter" will be tapped for tasting from 5 p.m. at JJ Brewsky's in Old Town Camarillo, 482-5249.

July 11: "Dinner and a Class" event focuses on quick summer dishes, 7 p.m. at Ojai Culinary Studio in Ojai. 646-1124 or http://www.ojaiculinary.com.

July 12: A "Mangi & Bevi" ("Eat & Drink") class taught by chef Fabio Viviani and mixologist Jacopo Falleni takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Café Firenze in Moorpark. A featured dish and drink: tuna carpaccio with fresh berry sauce and a balsamic martini. 532-0048.

July 12: "Summer Dishes for Low Glycemic Cooking" class taught by Suzanne Landry via Ventura College Community Education is offered by advance reservation only, from 9:30 a.m. at Guthrie Hall at Ventura College. Information and other classes: http://venturacollege.augusoft.net.

July 12: Ventura location of the meal-assembly franchise Dream Dinners celebrates the first anniversary of its re-opening with a community blood drive that includes drawings for sessions and, for donors, free tastings of featured meals. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1413 S. Victoria Ave., Suite B., Ventura. 644-4478.

July 12: Easy Pizza Party, a kid-friendly cooking class, has sessions at 11 a.m. (for ages 5 to 8) and 2 p.m. (ages 9 to 12) at Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. 818-889-9105.

July 12: Microbrew tasting includes Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout and Green Flash West Coast IPA, among others, 3 to 7 p.m. at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

July 12: Third annual Old Spanish Days winetasting includes cooking demos and special rare/reserve tastings from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by main tasting event from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse sunken gardens. Co-presented by Elements Restaurant and Catering, http://www.elementsrestaurantandbar.com or http://www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.

July 13: Winetasting and silent auction benefits the Kingsmen Shakespeare Co. and its theater programs, 3 to 6 p.m. at WineStyles in the Janss Marketplace, 193 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. 493-3455.

July 13: Tarrica Wine Cellars and Olde Port Works of Paso Robles will be highlighted during a WINO (Wine Investigation for Novices and Oenophiles) dinner from 5:30 p.m. at Marriott Residence Inn at River Ridge in Oxnard. 484-4196 or send e-mail to jbruin.wine@verizon.net.

July 14: At 71 Palm in downtown Ventura, chef and co-owner Didier Poirier presents a three-course Bastille Day dinner in honor of his native France. 653-7222.

July 14: Café Provenal in Thousand Oaks presents its four-course Gipsy Bastille Day dinner with live music from 5 p.m. 496-7121.

July 14: Sierra Nevada Brewery will be featured during a multi-course meal guided by beer aficionado Steve Grossman and chef Todd Aarons, from 7 p.m. at Tierra Sur inside Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. 983-1560 ext. 330 or http://www.herzogwinecellars.com.

July 15: Registration deadline for the Oxnard Salsa Festival's amateur recipe contest. (Contest itself takes place July 27.) http://www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

July 16: Wednesday Night Wine Down includes live music on the terrace at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. This week, it's with Enuff Jazz. 983-1560.

July 16: Heirloom tomatoes grown in Santa Paula by Dave Pommer will be turned into a multi-course farm dinner by chef Tim Kilcoyne, from 6:30 p.m. at The SideCar Restaurant in midtown Ventura. 653-7433.

July 17: Wrap it Up, a kid-friendly cooking class that includes the how-tos of making a chicken Caesar wrap sandwich and more, has sessions at 11 a.m. (for ages 5 to 8) and 2 p.m. (ages 9 to 12) at Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. 818-889-9105.

July 17: Greek cuisine is the focus of a cooking class taught by Lynn Mikelatos, by advance reservation only from 3 p.m. at The Greek at The Harbor in Ventura. Information and other classes: http://venturacollege.augusoft.net.

July 17: At Tierra Sur, the on-site restaurant at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, a three-course dinner at 5 p.m. will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a concert by The Moshav Band. 983-1560 ext. 330 or http://www.herzogwinecellars.com.

July 17: Cooking class featuring spicy dishes in honor of the upcoming Oxnard Salsa Festival will take place 6 p.m. at La Dolce Vita restaurant in Heritage Square. Dishes include grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and chilled peaches with Arborio rice pudding. 486-6878.

July 17: Corte Riva Vineyards of Santa Rosa is the featured winery during a six-course wine dinner created by chef de cuisine Adam Horton and sous chef Chris Kufek, 7 p.m. at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. 818-22888.

July 18-20: Santa Paula Citrus Festival includes contests for best orange dessert and lemon marmalade as well as best guacamole and other avocado dishes. General festival and specific contest information: http://www.santapaulafestival.org.

July 19: "Island Celebration" themed class for kids and their parents, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Let's Get Cookin' in Westlake Village. 818-99940 or http://www.letsgetcookin.com.

July 19: Slow Food LA-organized swap of homemade jams, jellies, preserves, chutneys and more takes place from 2 p.m. at a private home in Simi Valley. Limited space; by reservation only. Send e-mail requests to judibikel@aol.com.

July 19: Cantara Cellars wine club members and guests partake of summer barbecue and pick-up party with music by Arlene Kole, 5 to 8 p.m. at the winery in Camarillo. By paid reservation only: 484-9600.

July 19: Paso Robles' Silver Stone winery will be featured during a tasting from 5 p.m. at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

July 20: Not only is July National Ice Cream Month, but this is National Ice Cream Day.

July 20: Vintage Burgundies are the focus of a LearnAboutWine.com event, 4 to 6 p.m. at Gompachi in Beverly Hills. 310-451-7600.

July 21: "The Asian Culinary Trail," a cooking "camp" for teens, starts at 11 a.m. at Let's Get Cookin' in Westlake Village. 818-99940 or http://www.letsgetcookin.com.

July 21-25: Teen cooking "camp" sessions start at 11 a.m. daily at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. Themes are Sensational Snacks, Take Me Out to the Ballpark, Pajama Party, Rockin' Pizza Party and Rockin' Pasta Party. Next session July 28-Aug. 1. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

July 23: The World of Salads cooking classes include the uses of "unusual greens and herbs" when they take place at 2 and 6 p.m. at Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. 818-889-9105.

July 23: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. featured during a five-course beer dinner, from 6:30 p.m. at Brooks in downtown Ventura. 652-7070 or http://www.restaurantbrooks.com.

July 23-26: American Cheese Society presents its annual conference and cheese competition at the Chicago Hilton. http://www.cheesesociety.org.

July 26: Sylvain Rivet, chef and co-owner of Amuse Bouche Fine Dining in Simi Valley, offers the first in a series of cooking classes. "Hot, Hot, Hot," a tropical-themed menu, is featured 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today, followed Aug. 2 by "Under the Tuscan Sun,"Aug. 9 by "Celebrate Champagne," and Aug. 16 by "Gourmet California Cuisine." 583-5959.

July 26-27: 15th annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Plaza Park at Fifth and C streets. Free parking and admission. http://www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

July 26: Live wine auction serves as a preamble to A Taste of Camarillo, 5 to 9 p.m. at Adolfo Camarillo Ranch House in Camarillo. 278-6272 or http://www.meadowlarkserviceleague.com.

July 26: "Stars of France" features French vintages, 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Via at Two Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Presented by LearnAboutWine.com, 310-451-7600.

July 27: Ed Babic demonstrates "Grilling on a Plank" during a cooking class of the same name, by advance reservation only from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ojai Culinary School and the Lavender Inn. Information and other classes: http://venturacollege.augusoft.net.

July 27: A Taste of Camarillo, a wine and food festival presented by Meadowlark Service League, benefits Ventura County charities when it takes place 1 to 4 p.m. at Adolfo Camarillo Ranch House in Camarillo. 278-6272 or http://www.meadowlarkserviceleague.com.

July 28-Aug. 1: Teen cooking "camp" sessions start at 11 a.m. daily at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. Themes are Hawaiian Hoedown, English Tea Party, Mexican Fiesta, Pacific Rim Paradise and It's a Fondue Party. Next session Aug. 4-8. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

July 28: Locally grown produce from Tamai Family Farms will be featured in a four-course dinner created by chef Todd Aarons, from 7 p.m. at Tierra Sur, the on-site restaurant at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. Jason Tamai and other family members in attendance. 983-1560 ext. 330 or http://www.herzogwinecellars.com.

July 30: Wednesday Night Wine Down includes live music on the terrace at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. This week, it's with Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan. 983-1560 or http://www.herzogwinecellars.com.

July 30-Aug. 10: Ventura County Fair takes place at Seaside Park (aka "the fairgrounds") in Ventura, http://www.venturacountyfair.org.

July 31: Vintages from Zaca Mesa Winery of Santa Barbara County are the focus of a four-course wine dinner prepared by chef de cuisine Jelle Vandenbroucke at Hampton's at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Featured pairing: organic "acquarello" risotto with braised summer morels, aged Parmigiano and 2005 Z Cuvee. 818-575-3000.

July 31: Qupe Wine Cellars of Los Olivos will be featured during a six-course wine dinner created by chef de cuisine Adam Horton and sous chef Chris Kufek, 7 p.m. at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. 818-22888.

AUGUST 2008

Aug. 2: Sylvain Rivet, chef and co-owner of Amuse Bouche Fine Dining in Simi Valley, offers an "Under the Tuscan Sun"-themed cooking class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Coming up: "Celebrate Champagne" on Aug. 9 and "Gourmet California Cuisine" on Aug. 16. 583-5959.

Aug. 2: Mama Mia Pasta Mia, a kid-friendly cooking, has sessions at 11 a.m. (for ages 5 to 8) and 2 p.m. (ages 9 to 12) at Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. 818-889-9105.

Aug. 3: Andy Brooks, chef and co-owner of Brooks restaurant in downtown Ventura, presents the second in a new series of cooking-demonstration luncheons, from 11:30 a.m. Menu includes Bibb lettuce salad, grilled marinated pork chop and butterscotch pudding. 652-7070.

Aug. 3: Wally's Fifth Annual Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration will include pours of Sea Smoke, Au Bon Climat, Turley and other regional wines, noon to 4 p.m. at Wally's Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles. Proceeds will benefit the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at UC Davis' department of viticulture and enology. 310-475-0606 or http://www.wallywine.com.

Aug. 3: Summer Wine Down food-and-wine-tasting charity event presented by the Westlake Women's Club, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westlake Village Inn. Includes a silent auction. 375-2888.

Aug. 3: Chefs from nearly a dozen Ventura County-area restaurants will prepare dishes during the Senior Concerns' Ultimate Dining Experience, from 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel. Includes a silent auction and tasting of wines from Opolo Vineyards of Paso Robles. 497-0189 or http://www.seniorconcerns.org.

Aug. 4-8: Teen cooking "camp" sessions start at 11 a.m. daily at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. Themes are Alton Brown's Kitchen Chemistry, Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Paula Deen's Country Kitchen and Iron Chef Finale. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

Aug. 5: Healthy dishes are the focus of a cooking class for kids, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellness Kitchen that is part of the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village/California Heath & Longevity Institute comples. 818-575-1111.

Aug. 8: Wines from Paso Robles will be paired to dinner, from 7 p.m. at The Magical Kitchen in Simi Valley. 527-3000 or http://www.themagicalkitchen.com.

Aug. 9: Sylvain Rivet, chef and co-owner of Amuse Bouche Fine Dining in Simi Valley, offers a "Celebrate Champagne"-themed cooking class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Coming up: "Gourmet California Cuisine" on Aug. 16. 583-5959.

Aug. 10: Rancho Ventavo Cellars wines featured during a WINO (Wine Investigation for Novices and Oenophiles) dinner at La Dolce Vita in Oxnard. 484-4196 or send e-mail to jbruin.wine@verizon.net.

Aug. 10: LearnAboutWine.com offers the first of four sessions in its wine certification program for consumers and trade professionals. Additional sessions in the series take place Aug. 17, 24 and 31. 310-451-7600.

Aug. 16: Sylvain Rivet, chef and co-owner of Amuse Bouche Fine Dining in Simi Valley, offers a "Gourmet California Cuisine"-themed cooking class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 583-5959.

Aug. 16: "Moonlight at the Ranch Hollywood Nights," a food-and-drink fundraiser for the Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundation, takes place from 5 p.m. at Limoneira Ranch. 525-5561 or http://www.santapaulachamber.com.

Aug. 20: Ventura Limoncello will be featured in a multi-course meal prepared by chef Tim Kilcoyne at the SideCar Restaurant in midtown Ventura. 653-7433.

Aug. 21: Healthy haute cuisine is the focus of a cooking demonstration and dinner presented at 6:30 p.m. by Jelle Vandenbroucke, chef de cuisine at Hampton's at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. 818-575-3030.

Aug. 21: Michaud Vineyard of Soledad is the featured winery during a six-course wine dinner created by chef de cuisine Adam Horton and sous chef Chris Kufek, 7 p.m. at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. 818-22888.

Aug. 23: "Stars of California" features "local" vintages, 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Two Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Presented by LearnAboutWine.com, 310-451-7600.

Aug. 29-Sept. 1: Slow Food Nation, inaugural Slow Food USA event, at sites in and around San Fracisco. http://www.slowfoodnation.org.

SEPTEMBER 2008

Sept. 18: Rosenthal of Malibu is the featured winery during a six-course wine dinner created by chef de cuisine Adam Horton and sous chef Chris Kufek, 7 p.m. at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. 818-22888.

Sept. 21: Symphony of Wine gala dinner and wine auction benefits New West Symphony's children's programs when it takes place 3 p.m. at Four Seasons Westlake Village. Bob Long of Long Vineyards in Napa is the event's "maestro of food and wine." Required tickets: 818-225-1795