Datebook

Thursday

Fall Extravaganza: Chef Raphael Lunetta shows how to make an elaborate meal of dishes like roasted venison with sweet and sour cabbage, seared scallops with risotto and more. 6:30 p.m. Sur La Table, 301 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 395-0390. $50.

The Feast Noel: Tina Reynolds teaches a Provencal meal perfect for holiday entertaining. Dishes include sorrel-wrapped salmon and lavender creme bru^lee. 6:30 p.m. Toby’s Kitchen Store, 2721 E. Main St., Ventura. (805) 643-4577. $40.

Saturday

Elaborate Desserts: This hands-on class is devoted to two desserts: croquembouche (a tower of cream puffs joined together with hard caramel) and the labor-intensive bu^che de Noel with ganache frosting and meringue mushrooms. 2 p.m. The New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 842-9702. $68.

Sunday

Hanukkah Festival: Special foods, dancing, storytelling and family sing-alongs are among the events celebrating Hanukkah at this fifth annual festival at the Skirball Cultural Center. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 440-4500. Advance tickets, (323) 655-8587. General admission, $8; students and seniors, $6; Skirball members and children under 12, free.

Slow Tamales: The Los Angeles convivum of Slow Food is hosting a tamale party at Angeli Caffe. Mexican cookbook author Nancy Zaslavsky will teach you to make three kinds of tamales, and there will be snacks as well. Noon. Angeli Caffe, 7274 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 936-9086. $20 for Slow Food members; $25 for non-members. Children free.

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Food-related event information should be submitted at least two weeks before publication date. Mail to Food Section Datebook, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or fax to (213) 237-7355. No phone calls please. Submissions are subject to editing and condensation and are printed on a space-available basis.