Giant turkey drumsticks, spicy tuna rolls, artichokes cooked every which way and summery cocktails made with Absolut Vodka are among the food and libations planned for San Diego LGBT Pride’s festival in Balboa Park on July 21 and 22. More than 10 new food vendors will join an established list of nearly 25 other companies toting in their grills, fryers and steam tables for the event. And for the first time in the festival’s 33-year history, hot food will be available in the three of the four beverage gardens – sausages, flame-grilled tri-tip and barbecue chicken catered by Buckboard. Organiz-ers are promising shorter lines into the gardens this year due to extra staff that will be checking IDs at the main gate and because of a greater availability of beverage tickets that can be purchased throughout the festival grounds. The gardens will also feature Budweiser, Bud Light and Amber Bock. Visitors must be 21 years or older to enter the gardens.

Wine Steals on University Avenue will hold a champagne tasting on its sidewalk patio from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 21, to celebrate that day’s Pride parade. The bar’s handsome and shapely “A team” will pour the champagne and tend also to a bubble machine and ice sculpture during the event. The cost is $10. Pizza and cheese boards will be available for an additional cost.

Foodies prowling the parade route can also take advantage of a special, all-you-can-eat breakfast brunch at Urban Mo’s, from 9-11:30 a.m., or head east down University to Baja Betty’s for a heartier brunch buffet of breakfast items and Mexican favorites for $17.95.

San Diego’s famous and gay chocolatier William Gustwiller will hold a brownie class that starts out with a single batter and then gets divided into six exotic variations, such as lavender-sea salt, blackberry-sage and mango-curry. “There’ll be lots of brownies to eat and take home,” said Gustwiller. The class is scheduled from 6-9 p.m., July 19, at Williams-Sonoma in Fashion Valley Mall. Cost is $50. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 619-295-0510.

If you’re looking for a decidedly gourmet salad made fresh in a McDonald’s minute, check out Salad Style on F Street downtown. The shop is operated by lesbian chef and entrepreneur MaryJo Testa, who offers more than 10 all-organic salads made to order. The summer menu features ahi tuna and tomato with chickpea bruschetta, soba noodle with veggies and chicken, and Testa’s famous chicken Caesar – all crowned with homemade dressings. The shop also caters to area homes and businesses and offers an in-house meal preparation service. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 619-255-6731.

Coming soon to North Park is The Ritual Tavern, launched by Michael Flores and Staci Wilkins. The 30th Street haunt will feature Victorian overtones, heavy woods and dark-green walls along with gourmet pub grub and myriad libations for those seeking respite from today’s ever-growing crop of glitzy, nose-up lounges.

During a recent snoop through The Global Village Marketplace just south of Little Italy, I discovered a mini treasure chest of obscure artisan cheeses and international grocery items that had me rushing to my wallet. The cheese selection features Tome de Boudain, handcrafted in France and flavored with cayenne pepper, lavender and fennel. On the shelves are stuffed eggplants in a can from Turkey, milk-caramel sauce from Argentina (Dulce de Leche) and a 90-year old, gravy-thick balsamic vinegar from France. Despite its small confines, the inventory rocks. The store is located at 1445 India St.