DATEBOOK

THURSDAY

Basic Cooking Series: Learn beginning techniques and knife skills in this cooking series. Make Thai coconut soup, crab cakes, grilled salmon, spaghetti Bolognese, macaroni and cheese, fruit crisp and more. 10:30 a.m. The New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 842-9702; www.newschoolofcooking.com. $280. Continues on April 25, May 2 and May 9.

Chalone Dinner: Wines from the Chalone Group such as Echelon Pinot Grigio and Sagelands Cabernet Sauvignon are served with leek soup, heirloom tomato salad, mushroom fettuccine, New York steak and shortbread cookies. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. Market City Caffe, in the Burbank Media Center, 164 E. Palm Ave., Burbank. (818) 840-7036. $55.

Cake Signing: Sharon Boorstin, restaurant critic and food writer, signs copies of her new cookbook-memoir “Let Us Eat Cake: Adventures in Food and Friendship” (Regan Books, $24.95). 8 p.m. Barnes & Noble, the Grove at Farmers Market, 189 Grove Drive, L.A. (323) 525-0270.

FRIDAY

Sake and Sushi: Ten different sakes are served with sushi at this tasting. 5 to 10 p.m. Also 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Pasadena Wine Merchants, 906 Granite Drive, Pasadena. (626) 396-9234. $35. Additional charge for sushi.

SATURDAY

Earth Day Festival: Whole Foods sponsors this two-day Earth Day festival. Organic produce stands are set up alongside natural products vendors. Musical performers include Michelle Shocked and John Tesh. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lake Balboa, 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys. For more information, call the event hotline at (310) 455-3977 or visit www.wholeearthfestival.net. Free admission and parking. Also on Sunday.

Breakfast Signing: Cheryl Alters and Bill Jamison sign copies of their new book, “A Real American Breakfast” (William Morrow, $24.95). 1 p.m. Cook’s Library, 8373 W. 3rd St., L.A. (323) 655-3141.