BURGUNDY WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Thur., Cafe de France, 15225 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. Carpaccio, salmon mousse with lobster sauce, chicken fricassee with onion, bacon and mushroom in burgundy are among the dishes to pair with the wines of Burgundy in French-themed dinner; $49.95, plus tax and gratuity. Limited seating; call (727) 392-8627 to reserve.
TASTE OF THE NATION: 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, Thur., Tampa Marriott Waterside, 700 S Florida Ave., Tampa. Choose from local chefs' culinary creations and wines, bid on silent and live auction items, dinners and more at annual event to benefit America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay; $150. Call (813) 254-1190, ext. 101.
TAMPA BAY VEGETARIANS: 7 p.m. Tue., Antonio's Pasta Grille, 2755 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. Tampa Bay Vegetarians and guests enjoy Italian menu at monthly dinner meeting; $12, includes tax and gratuity. Limited seating; call (727) 692-8118 to RSVP by Fri. TASTE OF PINELLAS: 5-10 p.m. May 30, noon-10 p.m. May 31, noon-7 p.m. June 1, Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg. Sample menu favorites from more than 45 restaurants at annual food festival to benefit All Children's Hospital; live music, kids' activities, shuttle service. Tickets: $10, reserved seating, $20, kids 12 and under free. Call (727) 892-4193 or Ticketmaster.
ORGANIC GARDEN BENEFIT: 6-8:30 p.m. June 1, Appeteasers at Redwoods, 247 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 896-5118. "Little Organic Dishes from Around the World" to benefit the St. Petersburg Community Garden, which will be planted in the fall by Headfirst Farms; food, drink and entertainment. Tickets: $25 at the door or in advance by mail. Call (727) 865-8581 to order tickets.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
ARMANI'S TASTING: 5:30-6:30 p.m. today, Armani's (at Hyatt Regency Westshore), 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Tuscany wines are featured: Teruzzi and Puthod Vernaccia di San Gimiginano DOCG, Teruzzi and Puthod Terre di Tuffi IGT, Terribianca Scaccino Chianti Classico DOCG and super Tuscan Terribianca Campaccio IGT; $10, stay for dinner and tasting fee is waived. Call (813) 207-6800.
TUSCAN TASTES: 6 p.m. today, Gioia Italian Deli, 100 First Ave. S, Suite 110, Bayview Tower Building, St. Petersburg. Gioia Italian Deli and Vinifera Wine Distributors present wines and food from Italy's Tuscany region; $15, limited seating, call (727) 892-9400 to RSVP.
WINE BENEFIT: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thur., at Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Women's Organization for Medical Emergency Needs holds annual benefit wine tasting with cheeses; $10. Call (813) 250-9758.
SOUTH AMERICAN SAMPLING: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Taste Chilean, Argentinian and other South American wines; $10, includes souvenir glass; portion of proceeds benefits Resurrection House; (727) 892-9463.
WINES OF ITALY: 1-6 p.m. Fri., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Take a taste tour of wines from Italy's diverse growing regions, over 20 selections available for sampling; free. Call (727) 321-2400.
PIC PAC'S PICKS: 5-7:30 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Wines from around the world, along with cheeses at weekly tasting; $5. (727) 347-0743.
ON THE OREGON TRAIL: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Ten wines from pioneering Oregon winemakers tasted, including Argyle Sparkling Brut, Adelsheim pinot gris, Firesteed pinot noir; $10, RSVP: (813) 879-2931.
AUSTRALIAN PORT REPRISE: 6-8 p.m. Tue., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Taste Australian tawny ports; $12, RSVP: (727) 895-1623.
HAHN, HESS AND MORE: 5:30-8 p.m. Tues., Mystic Fish, 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. Complimentary wine tasting of chardonnays from Hahn, Hess and Mommessin Pouilly Fouisse; (727) 771-1800.
Cooking classes
DINNER WITH CHEF FRED: 7 p.m. today, Drew Coffee Shop, 1907 Drew St., Clearwater. Chef Fred makes London Broil in cooking class; includes dinner, guests may bring beverage; $24.99. Call (727) 441-2572.
FAST FEASTS: 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Chef Debby DeGraaff makes quick vegetarian meals in free class; (813) 873-7428.
GREEK CUISINE COOKALONG: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Explore Greek cuisine in parent/child class, make: spanakopita (spinach and cheese pies), pastichio (baked pasta dish), avgolemono (chicken and lemon soup), baklava with orange honey syrup; $49.50 for one parent and child; (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.
OYSTERCATCHERS MENU FAVORITES: noon Sat., Oystercatchers Restaurant at Hyatt Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Learn to make Oystercatchers menu favorites; three-course meal with Champagne, beverages; $50. Call (813) 207-6815, RSVP required.
COOKING THE ISLAND WAY: 6:30-9 p.m. Tues., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Island Way Grill chef Sean Squires shows class how to make seared foie gras with truffle polenta and orange gastrique, mussel and vegetable cream soup, salad nicoise, halibut en papillote; $49.50. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.
LEAN LENTILS: 7 p.m. May 28, 10 a.m. May 29, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Debby DeGraaff shows how to use lentils in healthful vegetarian dishes; free. Call (813) 873-7428.
Worth sending for
CUTLERY CARE: Cutco's handy reference guide, "How to Choose and Use Cutlery" shows how to select the correct knife for the job, keep knives sharp, carve meats like a pro and care for cutlery. To order a free copy, call toll-free 1-800-828-0448, and press O.
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.
