This Sunday evening, join Lucca Café in Irvine for a special Valentine's five-course tasting menu that's not only delicious, but benefits the Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food.

This group celebrates culinary arts by giving scholarships to Orange Coast College, local high schools (Newport Harbor High, Katella, and others) and culinary art schools. Chapter events also raise money for the Days of Taste Program for younger students.

A selection of five of Lucca’s favorite courses will be served with different wines.

The evening will begin with a charcuterie tray complemented with Canella NV Prosecco di Conegliano, Italy.

Next comes guanciale-wrapped jumbo shrimp served over savory seafood risotto with mascarpone and a Parmesan wafer, served with Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, 2005, Italy.

Then it's on to sauterne and spice-poached bosc pears with arugula, Oregon-smoked blue cheese and pecan brittle with pomegranate-vanilla bean vinaigrette, accompanied by Allegrini Soave DOC 2004, Italy.

The main course: roasted boneless quail wrapped in grape leaves and stuffed with butternut squash and wild mushrooms alongside a simple cube of filet mignon with mustard cognac Béarnaise, paired with ZD Pinot Noir 2005 Carneros Valley and Kenneth Volk Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Paso Robles.

And finally for dessert, Lucca’s signature house-made truffles and cheeses served with Donna Fugata Ben Rye Passito 2005 Sicily and Nivole Moscato D’Asti, 2005, Italy.

Valentine's dinner is Sunday, Feb. 11 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Member price is $60; guest price is $85.

Lucca Café at 6507 Quail Hill Parkway in Irvine. For reservations call 949.645.8189.

www.aiwf.org/oc

Christina Smith, owner of Goat Boutique in Costa Mesa shares her favorites in Orange County in this week's "Juiced".

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