ANGELA J. CESERE / Union-Tribune

With the country in the throes of the worst food inflation in 17 years, consumers need to pull out all the stops (and their pots and pans) to get the most bang for their food buck. This is not the time to fork out $10 for a bag of premade frozen meatballs. Scratch cooking – basic, timeless – is the little black dress of the culinary world.

You know that beer delivery guy on the tube, the one who takes his product out of places that reek of pretentiousness? He'd love Pat and Gina Neely, the newest stars of Food Network. The husband and wife who host “Down Home With the Neelys” are the embodiment of down-to-earth.

Excellent IPAs abound on the West Coast, especially in San Diego. But usually our takes on this venerable British style are full-throated salutes to the herbal, acerbic, oily hops of the Pacific Northwest. To our hop-dazzled taste buds, IPAs tailored to reflect this style's origins often appear tame and dull.

The Shores Restaurant offers a chocolate and wine pairing gala featuring a four-course menu with chocolate in each dish, 6 p.m. July 1 at 8110 Camino del Oro, La Jolla. $65. Reservations: (858) 456-0600.