Tickets are on sale for the third annual “Celebrate The Craft” festival Oct. 9 at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. This observance, orchestrated by Jeff Jackson, executive chef at The Lodge, is a gathering of local chefs, farmers, ranchers and vintners (and a whole lot of foodies) to celebrate California’s natural bounty and the innovative way it’s being grown, raised and prepared.
The event will begin with food artisans from across the state setting up booths and hosting demonstrations, discussions and tastings of their products. Chefs from some of San Diego’s most highly regarded restaurants will be on hand with samples of their farm-fresh fare. The festivities will culminate with a celebratory dinner prepared by a group of chefs that includes Jeff Jackson of A.R. Valentien, Trey Foshee of Georges at the Cove, Carl Schroeder and James Foran of Arterra, Amiko Gubbins of Parallel 33, Michael Stebner of Region, Jack Fisher and Jason Knibb of Nine-Ten, A.J. Voytko of W Hotel, Deborah Schneider of Jsix and Jeffrey Strauss of Pamplemousse Grill.

The picnic-style portion of the event ($60) will run from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and will feature a bluegrass band. The Sunday evening supper ($130) to be held in the dining room of A.R. Valentien, the hotel’s signature restaurant, will feature a prix fixe menu prepared by the host chefs using ingredients from participating purveyors. Cocktails will begin at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Slow Food — slowfoodsandiego.org — an international educational organization dedicated to promoting ecologically sound food production, biodiversity, reviving the kitchen and preserving ethnic food traditions. A quick sell-out is expected. Call (858) 777-6635 for tickets or go to celebratethecraft.com for more information.

***

Just because many students are on summer break, don’t assume The Palette, The Art Institute of California San Diego’s student-run dining room, is closed. The restaurant is open throughout the summer quarter. Chef Mark Blaauboer and his culinary team have started a brand new “Summer Solstice in Paris” menu. The Palette is open for dinner Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information call (858) 598-1405. (I’m just wondering why they don’t work these kids from 8 a.m. to midnight, six to seven days a week, like real chefs. They are going to be in for a shock the day they get their first jobs.)

***

The long-awaited opening of Jack’s in La Jolla has been postponed once again because of permitting delays. Operators are now shooting for a mid-August opening. We’ll keep you posted.

***

Dust off those old saddle shoes and circle skirts! On Sept. 19 the Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego will host its annual fund-raiser for children at the Sea World Pavilion. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a classic 1950s style dinner, silent auction and raffle. Guests also will have the opportunity to win cash prizes in a jitterbug competition and a “best dressed” contest. Cost is $25 per person. Proceeds benefit Becky’s House, as well as Hogar Infantil la Gloria, an organization that supports a Tijuana orphanage. For more information or to purchase a ticket, contact Caitlyn McTaggart at cmctaggart@ywcasandiego.org.

***

Café Pacifica in Old Town celebrates 25 years in business this year. Check out their famous Pomerita Cocktail, which is their take on the margarita using pomegranate juice to liven things up. For more details, visit cafepacifica.com.

***

Throughout August on Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. Jbar, located at Downtown’s new Hotel Solamar, is offering “Manicures and Martinis” to its rooftop patrons. And for the guys (as no bar scene would be complete without the guys), there will be world-class cigars to choose from as well as a sampling of top cognacs and ports. Hotel Solamar is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and J Street Downtown.

***

So we all knew that Ron Oliver, chef de cuisine at The Marine Room and a veteran of such hot spots as Dux at the Peabody in Orlando and Roy’s at Pebble Beach could cook, but did you know he is also a talented jewelry designer? Check out culinarybazaar.com and take a gander at his food-themed creations. Each piece is paired with a favorite recipe, usually with a common food ingredient. Bon Appétit!

Terryl Gavre believes the world would be a better place if everyone worked once as a foodserver. She is owner of Café 222, Downtown, and can be reached at (619) 233-4060, Ext. 316, or terryl@sandiegometro.com.