GREER’S BEST BUYS:

Having world-class Chef Charlie Palmer teach you to cook is like having Meryl Streep give you acting lessons. Head to Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza cooking classes taught by Palmer and executive chef Amar Santana.

During the cooking series, the chefs will prepare incredible dishes in Bloomingdale’s Culinary Kitchen, and then you can join them at Charlie Palmer’s for a three-course meal!

And you’ll learn their favorite cooking tips: Palmer’s prefers Maldon Sea Salt; he adores cast-iron pans, and thinks recipes are just guides and doesn’t recommend following them to a T. The class and three-course meal cost $75. It’s limited to 40 students. Call (714) 352.2525 for reservations.

11 a.m. May 23

“Poaching: The Lost Art” with Chef Amar Santana. Fish, chicken, and intense bouillons. Poaching is a quick and healthy way to prepare meals for busy lifestyles.

11 a.m. June 13

“Barbecue! Taming the Flames” with Chef Charlie Palmer, who will set up a barbecue class outside in the parking lot. Marinades add flavor and tenderize tougher pieces of meat while glazing creates a smooth, shiny coating and an added flair to your food.

11 a.m. July 25

“Citrus Cooking” with Chef Amar Santana.

Curing salmon, ceviche, and salmon gravlax — the centuries-old Latin method of cooking by soaking seafood in the acidic juice of citrus fruits instead of heat.

5:30 p.m. Aug. 26

“Pasta Basics” with Chef Amar Santana, stuffing tortellini, agnolotti and ravioli.

Charlie Palmer is at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more, go to www.charliepalmer.com/ Properties/CharliePalmerat Bloomingdale’s.

Get your grill on

Learn the secrets of great barbecue at the next “Cooking for a Cause” class at 6:30 p.m. May 6. Chef/owner Rich Mead of Sage and Sage on the Coast joins chef/owner Alan Greeley of The Golden Truffle, and Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register in “Q” Up for Summer — a class designed to teach the secrets of great barbecue through a demonstration of recipes and delicious samplings. It will be held at Orange County Wine & Food Center, 1570 Scenic Drive, Costa Mesa.

Tickets cost $65 and can be purchased at www.Great-Taste.net.

Charity cooking

Taste of the Nation brings together the finest of the county’s culinary world to help local children who suffer from hunger. Eighteen of the county’s finest chefs and restaurants participate.

Guests will enjoy food, wine and specialty cocktails. The 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. event happens May 1 at The Island Hotel’s Palm Garden, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s effort to end childhood hunger in Orange County. For more information, call (949) 760-4920 or go to www.theislandhotel.com Tickets cost $75 at www.tasteofthenation.org.

Back to base

A Fine Affair is celebrating its grand reopening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Corona del Mar on Monday. You may remember it at The Newport North Shopping Center.

“We are so excited to be back to our home base, providing the same high-quality home accessories, fine gifts and hand-selected greeting cards that our dear customers have come to know us for,” says owner, Andrea Young.

Mention this article to receive 10% off your total purchase. Offer is valid through May 4. A Fine Affair is at 2919 E. Coast Hwy., Suite A, Corona del Mar. For more, call (949) 566-9459.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.