DATEBOOK

FRIDAY

Day in the Kitchen: Spend a day in the private home of chef Diane Mohilef (formerly of Citrus restaurant) watching her make crispy pan-seared whitefish on saffron pearl pasta with sauteed kale. Three-course lunch afterward. 10 a.m. Private home in Encino, address given upon registration. (818) 981-4748. $90.

Lobster Festival: A children’s lobster-calling contest (at 6 tonight) and a “LobsterDog” pet parade (noon Saturday) are among the events at this annual lobster festival. But the real draw is the whole steamed lobster with coleslaw and roll for $11. 5 to 11 p.m. Ports O’ Call Village, at 6th Street and Harbor Boulevard, San Pedro. For information, call the 24-hour hotline, (310) 366-6472, or visit the Web site at https://www.lobsterfest.com. $6 for adults; children 12 and younger free. Also Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Greek Festival: Greek festivals mean Greek food, and this one has its share. Expect souvlaki (skewered lamb or chicken cooked over an open flame), beef and lamb gyros, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and karythopeta (walnut cake drizzled with honey syrup). 6 to 10 p.m. On the grounds of the St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Knob Hill, Redondo Beach. (310) 540-2434. $2 for adults; children 12 and younger free. Also Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

Eat Your Greens: Swiss chard gratin, braised kale with sun-dried tomatoes, mustard greens with Asian noodles, and warm mushroom salad are some of the recipes designed to help you love your greens. 10:30 a.m. Epicurean School of Culinary Arts, 8759 Melrose Ave., L.A. (310) 659-5990. $65.

Winter Cakes: Pastry chef Tracy Callahan shows how to make ginger cake with Cointreau whipped cream, maple cake with maple butter cream, cardamom coffee cake, ginger pecan cake and more in this hands-on class. 2 p.m. The New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 842-9702. $68.

SUNDAY

Kidney Foundation Fund-Raiser: Chef Gerard Ferri of Le Meridien Hotel brings chefs Celestino Drago, Joe Miller, Jean Francois Meteigner, Josie LeBalch and Nancy Silverton into his kitchen to prepare a five-course meal with wine. Proceeds benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California. Black-tie dress is optional. 5:30 p.m. Le Meridien Hotel, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. (310) 247-0400. Call the Kidney Foundation at (800) 747-5527 to purchase tickets. $250.

Hospital Fund-Raiser: The grounds of Glendale Memorial Hospital become a street fair for the “Evening of Wine and Roses” food and wine-tasting event, which benefits the hospital’s expansion. Participating restaurants and wineries include Bistro 45, Celestino, Fresco Ristorante, Gladstone’s 4 Fish, Francis Coppola Winery, Gallo of Sonoma, Iron Horse and Piper Champagne. Black-tie dress is optional. 6 p.m. Glendale Memorial Hospital, 1420 S. Central Ave., Glendale. Call (818) 502-2375 for tickets. $150.