Two Owners Share Their Know-How

Chez School: Michael Franks and Robert Bell, owners of Chez Melange in Redondo Beach, are opening a cooking school adjacent to their restaurant. They’ve built a new 1,000-square-foot kitchen in which to teach. Bell used to teach cooking classes for UCLA. Franks says cooking students get the most out of hands-on learning. “They feel more fulfilled. They like to participate.” The 16-person classes start June 17 and cost $45 to $65 per person, including dinner with wine afterward. Guest chefs will be brought in to help teach as well.

* The Chez School of Food & Wine, 1718 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach; (310) 316-1566.

S.O.S.: It’s time once again for the Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation eating event. It helps fund anti-hunger organizations in L.A. This year it takes place as a sit-down dinner tonight at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and will include a silent auction. Chefs cooking tonight are Jeffrey Nimer from Lavande, Ben Ford and Govind Armstrong from Chadwick, Joe Miller from Joe’s, Scooter Kanfer from the House, Suzanne Goin from Lucques, Nancy Silverton and Kimberly Boyce from Campanile, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger and Sally Cook from Ciudad, Brooke Williamson from Zax, Allyson Thurber from the Lobster, Tara Thomas from Traxx, Peter Horsch from Mariposa, Christine Banta from Michael’s, Josie LeBalch from Josie, Raphael Lunetta from JiRaffe and Suzanne Tracht from Jar. Tickets cost $200 and can be purchased by calling (323) 525-1275 or visiting www.lataste.org.

* Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 458-6700.

Dinner for the Disabled: A group of chefs has pulled together to cook a dinner to benefit disabled kids and their families on June 10. The chefs are Jason Sperber of Braemar Country Club, Andre Guerrero and Jan Purdy of Max, Thomas Munoz of Emmanuel and Lee Ciuffitelli of Valencia Country Club. The evening begins at 6 p.m. at Braemar Country Club. Tickets, which cost $100, can be purchased by calling the event coordinator Tanya Wold at (310) 729-1755.

* Braemar Country Club, 4001 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana; (818) 345-6520.