FLAVORS OF SPAIN: 7 p.m. today, Columbia Restaurant, 2217 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Winemaker dinner features Spanish wines paired with five-course Spanish cuisine menu; $75. Call (813) 248-4961 to reserve.

OKTOBERFEST BREWS AND BANDS: Fri. (entertainment begins at 8 p.m.), Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1812 N 15th St., Ybor City. German food and the brewpub's Oktoberfest lager, cost varies with menu items. Call (813) 247-1422 or visit www.tampabaybrewingcomapany.com.

WHITE LINEN TEA: 2-4 p.m. Sat., Ibis Bed and Breakfast, 856 Fifth St. S, Safety Harbor. Sample a variety of teas with scones, muffins, pastries, creams, jams and sandwiches on crisp white linens; $14.95. Limited seating; call (727) 723-9000 to RSVP.

FLEMING'S WINE DINNER: 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, Mon., Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 4322 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Chef John Boyle specialties with Kim Crawford wines. $80, plus tax and gratuity. Call (813) 874-9463.

ENCHANTED EVENING: 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:15 p.m. dinner Oct. 10, at Luna di Mare, Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel, 725 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. Wine dinner pairs Rodney Strong wines with variety of dishes; $55 inclusive. RSVP by Mon., call (813) 229-5000, ext. 2020.

HARBOR WINE FEST: 5-11 p.m. Oct. 12, gazebo area at John Wilson Park, along Main Street in downtown Safety Harbor. Grape stomping, wine tastings, food, entertainment, art. Charge for tastings and food. Benefits Breast Health Initiative at Mease Countryside Hospital and other charities. Call (727) 724-1555.

Wine and beer tastings/classes

OYSTERCATCHERS TASTING: 5:30-6:30 today, Oystercatchers Restaurant at Hyatt Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Wines from Australia, California, Oregon; $10. Call (813) 207-6815.

WORLD TOUR TASTING: 6:30 p.m. Sat., Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Wine tour of France, Italy and Australia, with dishes that reflect each country; $40. Call (813) 926-4465.

TRIPLE TASTING: 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Columbia Restaurant, 2217 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Focus on cigars, cognacs and chocolate; $20. Call (813) 248-4961.

STARTING A WINE COLLECTION: 6:30 p.m. Mon., Bern's Fine Wine and Spirits, 2008 W Morrison Ave., Tampa. How to start and maintain home wine collection, with tasting of six wines; $25. RSVP (required): (813) 250-9463.

WINES OF BURGUNDY: 5:30-8 p.m. Tue., Mystic Fish, 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. Complimentary wine tasting features the Bouchard Aine & Fils wines of Burgundy; (727) 771-1800.

Cooking classes

WEE LOVE TEX MEX, FALL FAVORITES: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Kids class (ages 8-12) makes tortillas, taco bar, noon Sat., $25; adult class 2 p.m. Sun., makes fall comfort foods, $30. Call (813) 926-4465.

LUSCIOUS LATIN CUISINE: 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 9, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Hands-on class makes smoked queso blanco salsa with plantain chips, beef rolls with chipotle ketchup, cumin and pumpkin seed grouper; $39.50. Call (727) 736-3070.

OKTOBERFEST MENU AT MOSI: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9, Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. Oktoberfest dishes; food, wine and ale sampling follows, some hands-on participation; $40 members, $45 non-members, call (813) 987-6065.

CLASSIC COOKING AT CAFE LARGO: 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays, beginning Oct. 7, then Oct. 14, 21, 28, at Cafe Largo and Le Bouchon Bistro, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Classic cooking and technique series. $28.50 per class or $100 for series. Call (727) 596-6282.

Contests

BEST CHEF COMPETITION: 7-9 p.m. Tue., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Chefs John Koch of Jack's Bistro in Palm Harbor and Michael Reilly of Michael's Grill in Tampa square off in culinary competition. Audience members vote for favorite: $50 per person (includes meal); portion of proceeds benefits Ronald McDonald House. Call (727) 736-3070.

-- Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

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