Datebook

Today

Rustic French Series: The first in a series of regional, rustic French cooking classes is tonight. Learn to prepare dishes in the style of cooking from Normandy, Burgundy, Lyon and Provence in this four-week series. Wines and cheeses will be discussed as well. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 842-9702. $75 per class; $245 for the full series. Continues on Jan. 17, 24 and 31.

Thursday

Salmon in Spuds: Potato-crusted salmon is the recipe of choice for a free demo at this culinary arts academy. (Free demos given every weekday at 12:30 p.m.) 12:30 p.m. Campus Cookstore at the California School of Culinary Arts, 561 Green St., Pasadena. (626) 683-1354.

Saturday

Tiki Talk: The 1950s craze for fantasy Hawaiian cuisine, or tiki food, is the subject of this month’s meeting of the Culinary Historians of Southern California. President (and Times staff writer) Charles Perry tells the story. Afterward, you’ll get a pineapple surprise. 10:30 a.m. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. (213) 228-7101. Free.

Fair Time: The Fairplex in Pomona welcomes the Asian American Expo Saturday and Sunday. Asian American entertainment, art, merchandise and food are featured. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (both days). Fairplex, Buildings 4, 5, 6 and 7, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. (909) 623-3111. $7 for adults; $5 for children 12 and younger.

Tuesday

Chicken Curry: The easy way to make chicken curry--using ingredients available locally--is what you’ll learn in this class. 6:30 p.m. Culver City Adult School, 4501 Elenda St., Culver City. (310) 842-4300. $26.