Dessert FESTA; Saturdays at New English; Industry Fundraiser

LITTLE ITALY— Little Italy’s 20th annual FESTA is this Sunday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the street fair will include cooking demos with Italian chefs, a grape stomping contest, a wine and beer garden and live music on four stages. From 3 to 6 p.m., Extraordinary Desserts will host a Dessert FESTA on the patio of their Little Italy location. The free customer appreciation event will include tastes of owner Karen Krasne's newest cake invention called Black Velvet, which layers vanilla bean-soaked chocolate cake with cream cheese-mascarpone whipped cream and salted chocolate cocoa nibs, plus dessert samples, old fashioned cake walks with prizes and other specials. [EaterWire]

SORRENTO VALLEY— Every Saturday in October, New English Brewing Co. is tapping special kegs of beer and a dollar from every pint will go to The Keep A Breast Foundation for breast cancer education and prevention.  This Saturday, assistant brewer Mathew McGee will unveil their Explorer E.S.B. with Mosaic hops; on October 18 the keg is blackberry-infused Zumbar Imperial Stout and a bourbon barrel-aged brown is on tap for October 25. The tasting room is open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN— The Front Burner Fund, which helps cover emergency medical needs and healthcare costs of the "back of the house" in the food community, is holding a fundraiser on Monday, October 13 to benefit George Morris, the executive chef of Beaumont's Eatery. The event at Madhouse Comedy Club starts at 6 p.m. with a set from professional comedians followed by open mic night; the $20 cover goes directly to help Morris. [EaterWire]