CONTESTS, BROCHURES

Lotta Lettuce: Fetzer Vineyards is holding its third annual “Great Salad Toss” recipe contest, but you’re not required to cook with wine. Instead, you’ve got to use at least one of the following products in a salad recipe: Dole packaged salad greens, California Walnuts, DiGiorno Italian Cheese, Athenos Feta Cheese, Catham Village Croutons, Spice Islands Black Pepper or a Kraft dressing. Ten finalists are treated to an expenses-paid weekend at the Fetzer Tasting Room and Visitor Center in Mendocino, during which a $5,000 grand prize winner will be announced. For rules, call (800) 846-8637. Contest deadline is July 1.

Tips From a Higher Authority: Hebrew National’s “Traditional to Trendy” brochure is full of recipes made with Hebrew National franks, sausages and deli meats. The recipes are kosher for all occasions except Passover. To receive a copy, send a check or money order for $2.50 to Hebrew National Cookbook, P.O. Box 8026, Department A, Marshfield, WI 54449.

Link, Patty and Chub: The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council is searching for recipes that demonstrate the versatility of precooked and fresh linked, patty or chub-packed meat sausage made of beef, pork, lamb, veal, chicken or turkey. (Recipes to make sausage should not be submitted). The prize: 25 pounds of sausage. For information, write to National Sausage Month Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 3556, Washington, DC 20007. Contest deadline is July 19.

Today

French Connection: To celebrate the brief return of Pierre Boulez to the Music Center, where he is conducting the L.A. Philharmonic, Impressario (normally an Italian restaurant) and Otto’s Grill offer French-theme pre-concert three-course dinners tonight and Saturday. Reservations required. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 165 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Impressario, $35; 5th floor, (213) 972-7333. Otto’s, $25; street level, (213) 972-7322.

Friday

Seafood: Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Farmers Market Series returns with a seafood cook-off at which three local chefs demonstrate how to prepare fish and shellfish on the grill. Also in attendance: farmers selling produce. 5 to 8 p.m. Free. Farmers Market, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, 4000 Coronado Bay Road, Coronado; (619) 424-4000.

Saturday

Sidewalk Sale: The Cook’s Library is having its seventh annual Sidewalk Sale of Used Books. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Cooks Library, 8373 W. Third St., Los Angeles; (213) 665-3141.

Weekend Sipping: An afternoon tasting of the wines of Benziger Winery. 1 to 4 p.m. $5. Wine House, 2311 Cotner Ave., West Los Angeles; (310) 479-3731.

San Luis O’ Beerbo: Sample tastes from more than 60 California microbreweries at the 10th annual California Festival of Beers. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Designated driver tickets at $5 include lunch and complimentary nonalcoholic beverages. Beer taster tickets are $32 and include entrance fee, souvenir tasting glass and 25 (1-ounce) tasting tickets. Avila Beach Resort and Golf Course, 6450 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach; (800) 549-1538.

Tuesday

Vegetarian Cooking Class: A three-hour class. 6:30 p.m. $60. Epicurean School of Culinary Arts, 8759 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (310) 659-5990.