Attention all you food-loving Aries. The sun will soon be transiting your sign, which signals the onset of spring and a unique series of astrological cooking classes that puts impetuous rams at the head of the line.

The series, titled AstroFood, will be presented at Balboa Park Food & Wine School by Gayla Pierce, who is the director of food services for San Diego Community College District and a practicing astrologer affiliated with the San Diego Astrological Society. She will be joined by Vince Steinman, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and food writer for Modern Man Magazine.

The class for Aries is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., March 31, with additional classes covering the subsequent signs of the zodiac on the 28th of each month starting in April.

“I’ve always pondered the connection between astrology and food,” says Pierce. “It’s a strange combination, but a natural one because it beckons back to the earliest roots of man when he was trying to explain the world around him and nourish his body at the same time. Every sign relates to its season and the bounty of foods that are available during those seasons.”

For the Aries class, Pierce will focus on fresh vegetables and rack of lamb – foods typically associated with the dawning of spring. With respect to the fiery nature of Aries, she will incorporate into the four-course meal a bevy of warm spices and chili peppers that generally appeal to these outspoken tongues.

The lamb, for example, will be accented with cumin and a pecan-chipotle sauce that students can also use to dress up pork and chicken. Her watercress salad will take on a spunky raspberry-guajilo dressing, and the “bloody Marias” planned for the evening will include tequila and hot chilies.

When the series progresses to earthy Taurus next month, the menu will take a turn toward the sensual. Here, participants will learn to prepare baby artichokes with “assorted dipping things,” which Pierce says appeals to the sign’s tactile senses. But the main course, which can turn even the most stubborn of bulls into vulnerable creatures, will be filet of beef rubbed with espresso and chocolate.

“Taurus individuals want comfort. Nothing super fancy, but good food that is prepared exactly to their liking,” adds Pierce. “And because it is a fixed sign, they will take the time to prepare a meal.”

When asked about some of the food proclivities inherent to other signs, Pierce said that she looks forward to her class geared for Geminis, scheduled for May 28. “Geminis are really fun because they like culinary variety and always add witty conversation to a dinner party.”

For Leos, a little culinary drama never hurts. “All you need to do is light the food on fire and set in the middle of the table to get their attention. Things like bananas foster, crepes Suzette or café brulee make them happy.”

Sagittarians prefer taking meals to the next level. “For them you do one of three things with food,” notes Pierce. “You either skewer it and make kabobs; create ethnic dishes; or throw a toga party with pizza and beer.”

Yet if you’re aiming to please the high-standard palates of Capricorns, it’s best to drop those crazy themes and aim for elegance. “Capricorns want the best of everything because they’ve worked hard and earned it. They like traditional high-quality food with classy accompaniments.”

Pierce’s classes cost $52 each. The school is located in the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park. For reservations, call 619-557-9441, ext. 210.