Rodney Strong wine dinner - 6:30 p.m. hors d'oeuvres and champagne, 7:15 dinner, today, Mattison's, An American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. NE (the Plaza Tower), St. Petersburg. Five courses paired with Rodney Strong wines. $75. (727) 895-2200 to reserve.
Tampa Bay Culinary Club - 11 a.m. Sat., Bonefish Grill, 5901 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Executive chef Kim Conner prepares a signature dish for sampling. $10. RSVP required: (727) 789-2605.
I Like It Hot festival - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. , Honeywell Minnreg Hall, 6340 126th Ave. N, Largo. Hot sauces, salsas, barbecue sauces, pepper products and more. $2, kids under 12 free. (727) 423-8433.
Organic Take Out opening - 5-9 p.m. Sun., Integrity Organic Take Out, 243 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Grand opening features organic foods buffet, organic wines, dessert cooking demonstration, specialties from Redwoods and Appeteasers restaurants, entertainment and music. $10. (727) 824-0881.
"Great Chefs of the Future" dinner - 6 p.m. hors d'oeuvres, 7:30 p.m. dinner, Mon., Cafe Ponte, 13505 Icot Blvd., Suite 214, Clearwater. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and silent auction, plus three courses by chef Chris Ponte; benefits Chef Start culinary program at Richard L. Sanders School. $75. (727) 384-4462 to RSVP.
Dinner with David Rosengarten - 6:30 p.m. reception, dinner follows Mon., Roy's, 4342 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. Author, restaurant critic, wine columnist and Food TV chef David Rosengarten pairs German wines with chef Rand Packer's menu. $65, plus tax and grautity. (813) 873-7697 to RSVP.
Taste of Clearwater - 5-8 p.m. Tue., Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Samples from about 50 restaurants and vendors, complimentary beer and wine, entertainment. $18 in advance, $20 at door. 727 461-0011, press O, or www.clearwaterflorida.org