The senses are a driving force for many, and none are more demanding than the sense of taste. It is the driving force that compels the young and young-at-heart to seek out new and exciting ways to satisfy their culinary desires. And Lodi and its neighboring areas are willing to oblige.

Overview: Between the various eateries, cinema, olive oil, cheese and wine tasting, shopping and more, Downtown Lodi is the place to be. You can grab a bite with friends at one of the various restaurants that serve delicacies ranging from sushi to burgers, sample some sweets at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or sip Zin at one of the many tasting rooms. Then enjoy some shopping before ending your day.

Whether it’s coming up with a new creation for a food truck, adding a Mexican flair or adding a twist to comfort foods, culinary talents abound in Lodi. Some area chefs are self-taught, while others have learned on the job.

What happens when you cross a winemaker with a passion for his heritage and a chef who considers food an artful experience?

A new sushi restaurant planning to open on Lower Sacramento Road in the Raley's shopping center was approved for a beer and wine alcohol license on Tuesday.

On Sunday, vintage knickknacks, rustic patio furniture and unique treasures will replace the cars on Downtown Lodi streets as the Lodi Street Faire gets underway.

Spring has sprung, along with one of the sweetest treats of the season - fresh sweet corn. Over the last few years, fresh sweet corn has become a spring vegetable that’s just as highly anticipated by those in the know as the season’s first peas, asparagus, and radishes. Available nationwide, fresh sweet corn is harvested throughout the spring – good news for anyone who wants to get their hands on some today.

Where did you go to High School?

(BPT) - The inspiration for a great taco can be found in many places – from farmers markets to food trucks to upscale restaurants. All across the country, chefs and home cooks alike are reinventing the taco with global flavors and fresh ingredients.

On a narrow country lane lined with cherry orchards, a menace gobbles in the shadows. He will cluck at you. He may lurch toward your car. He will likely nibble on your tires. His name is Cujo.

Once or twice a year, my ministerial responsibilities take me to Hawaii to teach. (Hey – somebody has to do it!) This involves living with local friends, from whom I’ve learned of the island cuisine and ingredients. This recipe is the fruit of these travels.

He started as a skinny kid scrubbing the dishes out back. Now, John DeNegris owns the place.

Habanero Hots In Lodi is one of the most popular restaurants in San Joaquin County, serving up hundreds of dishes each day, from soft fish tacos to chorizo enchiladas.

It’s more than a busy and profitable restaurant, a rollicking, elbow-to-elbow bar, a place for parties and family dinners and service club lunches.

It is a happening.

Lodi is a foodie paradise. One could spend an entire vacation sampling the taste sensations that explode from every corner of this little city. And there’s always something new and fresh to try.

(NAPSI)—Mini steak tacos can be a grande idea, whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo or just enjoying a hearty, healthy meal with your family and friends.

Ken Albala has been cooking and writing and teaching about cooking since 1993. He is a food history professor at University of the Pacific and a self-taught cook who likes to experiment with food.

In the past year, General Mills Inc. has found itself in an unusual position.

A new national survey shows that the Latino population in the U.S. rose 47 percent from 2000 to 2011 and that the rate of growth in Florida was even higher — 62 percent.

The Pew Research Hispanic Center in Washington, a respected demographic research institute, found that the Latino population in the U.S. during those 11 years swelled from 35.2 million to 51.9 million. The total U.S. population as of 2011 was 311.6 million, meaning that 16.7 percent of people living in the U.S. were Latino, compared to 12.5 percent in 2000.

It seems tailgate parties are no longer just for football games. 

Tips for creating a successful Super Bowl game day in which everyone has a little fun.

Steve and Carla Cole have been cooking for various organizations’ crab feeds for 36 years. Some of them have included the Lodi Police Department, Tokay High School, St. Luke’s and Pacific Gas and Electric. Saturday will mark the 11th time the two have cooked crab and all the fixings for the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. The two enjoy showing support to the club they feel offers a lot to local children.

Four years ago, when Stacy Lister and her daughter, Amaris, wanted to go out to eat, there were few options in Lodi. Her daughter has celiac’s disease, which means she cannot eat wheat, rye or barley.

Zumba let people shake it like they did as teenagers

(BPT) - One of the many exciting and sometimes stressful parts of the holiday season is entertaining at home with friends and family. To prepare for their arrival you may be tempted to just clean the kitchen counters, toss a few extra towels in the guest bathroom and ignore the rest of the house. Instead, your visitors will enjoy the party more if they have full access to an open, organized and welcoming home.

Tell me about your education.