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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 16, 2002
Special events and food tastings
ZACA MESA: 7 p.m. Thur., Roy's, 4342 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Dinner showcases Zaca Mesa wines paired with samplings of Hawaiian fusion menu that includes pink peppercorn-seared tuna, Mongolian grilled elk medallion, orange mochi seared scallops with lemongrass persimmon emulsion. Wines tasted include "Z Gris" viognier, grenache and syrah. Cost: $70 a person, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating, call (813) 873-7697.
ABILITIES WINE DINNER: 6-7 p.m. Thur., reception, dinner follows, at Redwoods, 247 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Five-course dinner paired with wines presented by Pascal Schiele of Dopff & Irions from the Alsace region in France, to benefit the Abilities Foundation. Cost: $65, plus gratuity. Limited seating, call (727) 538-7370, ext. 345.
CULINARY CLUB @ ERIC'S: Chef Eric Weber prepares a signature appetizer, entree and dessert for sampling from the eric's@Sutherland menu, 2 p.m. Sat. at this month's meeting of the Tampa Bay Culinary Club. New members and those interested welcome to attend. Cost: $10. Call Jeanne at (727) 789-2605 to RSVP (required).
BAYFRONT ON VINE:7 p.m. Sat., Bayfront Medical Plaza, 603 Seventh St. S, St. Petersburg. Event combines fine wines and food tastes, silent auction, all to benefit Bayfront Medical Center: $50. Call (727) 893-6148.
VINTAGE TASTINGS: Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, presents two tastings: "Winter Wonder Reds" with red varietals from Seghesio, Joseph Drouhin, Chateau Clos Rene; 7 p.m. aperitif, 7:30 tasting, Fri.: $20; "Seek the Unique" tasting features selections off the beaten path that include Kumala pinotage from South Africa, Clos du Gilroy grenache, Marchese di Barolo barbera from Italy, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 25: $10. Call (813) 879-2931 to reserve either tasting.
ALMONDS AND HERBS: Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa, vegetarian classes include All About Almonds, with ways to use the nutritious nuts in various dishes, 7-8 p.m. today, 10-11 a.m. Thur.; and Herbal Cuisine, 7-8 p.m. Jan. 23, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 24; classes free. Call (813) 873-7428.
HEALTHY CAJUN CUISINE: 7 p.m. Thur., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Chef Dawn and registered nutritionist Kristin Hope modify menu, reducing fat, calories and some carbohydrates; dishes prepared include crabmeat Avery with aioli; sauteed shrimp with mushrooms, garlic and beurre blanc sauce; dark chocolate mousse with Chantilly cream: $39.50. Call (727) 736-3070.
WINTER SOUPS: 6:30 p.m. Mon., Mattison's, 111 Second Ave. NE, downtown St. Petersburg. Chef Paul Mattison shows how to create hearty soups using winter vegetables at his new American bistro: $35. Registration required, call (727) 895-2200 to reserve.
ELEGANT AND EASY DESSERTS: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Margaret Ann's Catering, 5625 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Learn to make flaky pie crust in five minutes in this dessert class that includes apple pie with caramel nut sauce and cinnamon ice cream, whipped cream and almond filled cake roll, nut-covered ice cream balls; $45, includes cookbook. Limited class size, Call (727) 525-3983.
CLASSIC ITALIAN: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Casa Italia, 2080 Constitution Blvd., Sarasota. Guiliano Hazan, author of The Classic Pasta Cookbook, shares cooking tips as he prepares a full meal for sampling; $70, includes wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres break, printed recipes. Call (941) 924-1179 to reserve.
IT'S A PUZZLEMENT: Eager to learn more about the wines of France's Burgundy region? Wine lovers can order a 700-piece, 12- by 36-inch puzzle of Maison Louis Jadot's vineyard in Cote d'Or in the Burgundy region of France, color coded to show the wines produced, plus a full-color poster for $18, with $2 portion going to benefit Share Our Strength's efforts to end hunger at home and abroad. To order, e-mail jadotpuzzle@kobrand.com with a request to purchase; a reply with instructions on mailing payment and address will be provided.
BEST CHEF OF TAMPA BAY: 7-9 p.m. Tue., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Chefs Frank Schittino of Cafe Cibo in St. Petersburg and John Koch of Jack's Bistro in Palm Harbor face off in this culinary competition. Spectators sample appetizers, as the chefs prepare a meal in 45 minutes or less, then vote for their favorite: $50 a person (includes meal). Portion of proceeds benefits breast cancer research. Call (727) 736-3070.
Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.