Single Guy’s Planner

OK guys, I’m heading off to the airport for my flight to Hong Kong (yikes, 14 hours stuck in the window seat), but that doesn’t mean you guys should just be sitting at home waiting for my next blog post live from Hong Kong. (OK, if you want to sit and wait, whom am I to stop you!) Instead you should head out and check out the many food events occurring in San Francisco. Because of the tragic events in Japan, many of these events are local fund-raisers as the food community tries to do something to pitch in. Go out and support one of them and feel good helping out.

April 2, Saturday – Eat Real Bake Sale for Japan. The first of several fund-raisers for the tragic situation in Japan, this national bake sale put on by food bloggers and with food from local restaurants and bakeries will spring up in sites across the country from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on this day to raise money for relief. Proceeds go to Peace Winds Japan. There’ll be several locations for the bake sale in the Bay area, including Pizzaiolo in Oakland and the Bi-Rite Market in San Francisco’s Mission District. Visit bakesaleforjapan.com to find a participating bake sale near you.

April 3, Sunday – Chefs United for Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Farm Aid Dinner. For a more fancier affair and fund-raiser, go to this major dinner at San Francisco’s Prospect Restaurant and features local chefs like Ravi Kapur (Prospect), Sho Kamio (Yoshi’s), Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani (Ame and Terra), Bruce Hill (Bix), Staffan Terje (Perbacco) and Paul Canales (most recently the chef of Oliveto). Cost is $300 per person with all proceeds going to disaster relief. Cocktails and appetizers start at 6 p.m. with the 6-course dinner with wine and sake pairing begin at 7 p.m. For tickets, click here.

April 3, Sunday – Indian Home Cooking Class at 18 Reasons. Like Indian food? Always wanted to make your own raita? Learn from two Indian moms and food bloggers Simran Singh and Stacie Dong at this Mission district community food art space. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for everyone else. Class runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 593 Guerrero St., San Francisco. Click here to purchase tickets.

April 5, Tuesday – Hope to Japan: Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Relief. The Northern California Japanese Restaurant Association and Nikko Hotel San Francisco has partnered to put on this special fund-raiser for the victims in Japan. An evening of drinks, food, music and “generous spirits” will take place at the Nikko Hotel, 222 Mason St., in Union Square starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150, and funds support the Japan Red Cross. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.hopetojapan.com.

April 7, Thursday – Toast of the Town San Francisco. This major wine fete by the Wine Enthusiast takes over City Hall this year to feature more than 500 wines and 30 local restaurants serving up small bites. Like previous years, VIP tickets for $169 allows you early bird entry at 6 p.m. and then the grand event for the regular $109 price lets you in an hour later. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the website.

April 7, Thursday – Taste of the Nation. Across town on the same night is this annual fund-raiser for the Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Local chefs gather to produce small bites for tasting, all for a fun evening benefit. This year the event takes place from 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. if you’re a VIP ticketholder) at the Bentley Reserve building at 301 Battery St., San Francisco. Tickets cost $95 and $165 for VIP entry. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

April 16, Thursday – Third Annual Goat Festival by CUESA. No kidding around, it’s all things goat at the San Francisco Ferry Building with this day of goat products (and actual goats). Come meet goat ranchers, taste goat milk’s cheese, meet authors Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarborough of “GOAT: Meat, Milk, Cheese” and Laura Werlin, author of “Grilled Cheese Please.” As usual for these Saturday farmers market events, activities are free. For more information, visit www.cuesa.org.

April 17, Sunday – San Francisco International Chocolate Salon. OK, you know where I’ll be on this Sunday. That’s right, it’s the annual cocoa crazy crowds at Fort Mason Center. This is the larger event (compared to the smaller fall event I judged last year), running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. But organizers this year will keep vendors to a select few but with a lot more space to wander and explore … and stuff your face with chocolate. Tickets for adults is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children between 6 and 12 pay $10 while younger kids get in free. (The kids going in free must be accompanied by an adult, and limit is two free kids per adult.) For more information and tickets, visit www.sfchocolatesalon.com.

April 17, Sunday – A Taste of Tequila and Tamales by the Bay. This annual event for those tasty tamales take place at the Design Center this year at 11 Henry Adams St., from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 if you purchase before April 10 and $50 afterwards. For information, visit www.tamalesbythebay.org.

April 23, Saturday – Book Signing for “Salad as a Meal” by Patricia Wells. I never used to make salads as a meal, but later in life as I focus in on healthy eating, I find salads can be made pretty hefty. So get more ideas for salad entrees from this author, who will be appearng at the Pasta Shop in Berkeley from noon to 2 p.m., and then later in the day at 3 p.m. at Omnivore Books in San Francisco. Pasta Shop, 1786 Fourth St., Berkeley, and Omnivore Books, 3885A Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco.