The Secrets of Salsa @ La Cocina (the Food, Not the Dance)

Never mind all that stuff you've been hearing about tomatoes with salmonella. It's summertime, tomato season, and there aren't any tainted tomatoes around here -- only round, red, juicy, delicious ones. The folks at La Cocina Community Kitchen (2948 Folsom at 25th St.) know this, which is why tonight they're hosting The Secrets of Salsa: A Guided Tour Through Mexico's Culinary Foundations. The La Cocina chefs will lead participants through authentic salsa preparation in four steps, putting together several salsas designed to compliment summertime munching. Then, in case you're a little rusty on the old barbecue, Culinary Director Jason Rose will lead an outdoor grilling demo and show you how to get those perfect grill marks you've always wanted. Participating chefs include Dilsa Lugo of Los Cilantros and Veronica Salazar of El Huarache Loco. And even if you're not the type that takes kindly to learning, no worries: there will be cocktails, and in the end a wine-paired dinner. The (mostly tax-deductible) tickets cost $110 per person; email caleb@lacocinasf.org or buy online at Brown Paper Tickets.

-- Brian Bernbaum