DATEBOOK

Thursday

Elegant Thanksgiving Basics: Learn to make the turkey, stuffing, gravy and extras like pumpkin risotto in this prep-for-Thanksgiving class. 10:30 a.m. Let’s Get Cookin’, 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. (818) 991-3940. $60.

Champagne Dinner: Rose Champagnes are featured in this three-course dinner and reception. The main course is sauteed veal medallions in a foie gras ragout. 7 p.m. The Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 281-2941. $88.

Friday

Beaujolais Nouveau Bash: The French-American Chamber of Commerce pours the just-released Beaujolais Nouveau for you to taste. Restaurant and French food companies and purveyors will hand out bites of cold cuts, cheeses, chocolates and more. 6:30 p.m. The 5th and 6th floors of the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Call the Chamber at (323) 651-4741 for tickets. $45.

Weekend o’ Food: French chefs gather to honor Roger Verge with a lifetime achievement award at the 15th annual World of Food & Wine Festival. A buffet of French food paired with French wines will be served. 7 p.m, $150. Also, a Great American Tasting Saturday at 7 p.m., $150, and Te^te de Cuvee brunch Sunday at 11 a.m., $150. Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point. (949) 240-2000. Ask for the special events department, Ext. 5850.

Saturday

Gingerbread House Demo: Rick Royal constructs a gingerbread house for your education and entertainment at this restaurant supply store and gourmet shop. 11 a.m. Surfas Restaurant Supply & Gourmet Food, 8825 National Blvd., Culver City. (310) 559-4770. Free.

Holiday Desserts: Sweets like gingerbread with Cointreau whipped cream go well at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve meals. Learn other holiday-friendly desserts at this hands-on class. Wear long pants, rubber-soled shoes and an apron. 2 p.m. The New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 842-9702. $68.

Large-Format Wine Dinner: As a fund-raiser for KCBX Public Radio, this wine dinner features 10 courses of food from several Four Seasons Hotel chefs. The wine will be poured from large-format bottles with each course. 5 p.m. The Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, 1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara. (805) 969-2261. Call Archie McLaren to reserve a spot, (805) 544-1285. $1,000. Special room rates available at the hotel.

Sunday

Commander’s Palace Menu: Jamie Shannon, the chef of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, shows how to cook gumbo Ya Ya, lemon flan and other Louisiana treats. 2 p.m. Sur La Table, 301 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 395-0390. $45.

Thanksgiving 101: This participation class covers all the Thanksgiving bases: appetizers, turkey, dressing, sides and apple pie. Wear rubber-soled shoes and long pants. 2:30 p.m. Spaghettini Cucina, 6467 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach. (562) 431-3606. $60.

Monday

Chef a Table: Jean Francois Meteigner invites seven French chefs to his restaurant to cook one huge dinner. The chefs are spread out among the guests at different tables, moving from one table to another with each course, explaining the food as it comes. The five-course meal is paired with wines. 6:30 p.m. La Cachette, 10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. (310) 470-4992. $75 plus tax and tip.