PROVENCAL OLIVE OIL & WINE: 6 p.m. Thur. Olivia's Restaurant, 487 Main St., Dunedin. Chef Gui of Provence talks about estate-grown olive oils from the south of France, including first cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oils Chateau Virant from Aix en Provence, Alziari from Nice, Cornille Mill from Baux de Provence and others. Provencal wine and hors d'oeuvres. $20. RSVP (727) 736-1400.
TASTE OF THE NATION EVENT: 6-10 p.m. April 29, Phillippi Estate Mansion Park, U.S. 41 and Constitution Boulevard, Sarasota. Features food and wine tastings from area restaurants and beverage and wine companies, entertainment and a silent auction. Benefits All Faiths Food Bank and Children First. $50 advance or $60 at the door. 941 379-6333 or www.strength.org/see/taste/taste.htm
SEAFOOD & WINE TASTING: 6 p.m. April 29, the Reef, 17811 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores. Seafood preparation demonstrated by Chef Gui of Provence; a tasting of wines that include Chateau Les Tuileries AOC Bordeaux and Chateau de Pennautier Chardonnay. $20. RSVP (727) 736-1400.
WORLD WINGS AND WINE: 6-8 p.m. May 1, Aston Gardens Community Club House, 12951 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. Silent auction, wines from International Cellar. Benefits Tampa's Centre for Women. $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door. (813) 920-0370.
LE BOUCHON WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Thur. Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. Wines from South Africa, paired with several courses and a "surprise wine." Finish with Grand Marnier chocolate mousse with Nederburg Baronne. $45. (727) 585-9777.
LAKERIDGE FINE ART & JAZZ SHOW: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, U.S. 27, 3 miles south of Florida Turnpike Exit 285, near Clermont. Juried art show, live jazz, winery tours, wine tastings; food, beer and wines available for purchase. Free admission. Toll-free 1-800-768-9463, 352 394-8627; or www.lakeridgewinery.com
Wine and beer tastings/classes
MAMBO ITALIANO: 7 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Tasting of 10 Italian wines, ranging from dry bubbly to big, earthy reds. $10. Call (813) 879-2931 to reserve.
BATTLE OF THE MERLOTS: 6-8 p.m. today, Eric's New World Bistro and Teller's Cage Lounge, 1026 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. Chose your favorite from a variety of California merlots, including Hahn Estates, L de Lyeth, Toad Hollow Reserve and others; free. (727) 787-7734.
WINE TASTING: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Relax in the wine garden with Blue Moon Riesling or Huntington Sauvignon Blanc, and try California L de Lyeth Cabernet, Zabacco Zinfandel and Mirassou Merlot. Free. (727) 736-4077.
CALIFORNIA WINES: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Spotlight is on California wines, $10; includes souvenir wine glass; proceeds benefit St. Petersburg Free Clinic. (727) 892-9463.
AMERICAN SPIRITS TASTINGS: American Spirits, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Try Chateau St. Michelle Merlot, 5 p.m. Thur.; Echelon Chardonnay, Syrah or Tempranillo, Novilo Sauvignon Blanc or Rooderberg Meritage tasting, 5 p.m. Fri. (727) 895-8700.
Cooking classes
HEART HEALTHY: 6:30 p.m. today, Mattison's, An American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Hands-on class prepares heart-healthy luncheon foods, menu approved by registered dietitian Christine Miller; $25, or $150 for series of seven classes. Other classes: Couples Cook, healthful food for couples features low-cal, low-carb, low-cholesterol foods; $45 per person or $85 per couple, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri.; Parent And Child Cook Together - Italian, $49.50 for one parent and one child, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.. 2004 Best Chef of Tampa Bay: semifinals, round two, in which two chefs compete, you eat the food and vote for the winner. 7-9:30 p.m. Tue.. $50 per person. Registration required; call (727) 895-2200
COOKING TECHNIQUES: 6:30 p.m. today, Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Spring Herbs, enhance recipes with fresh herbs, $30; Mexican Techniques, advanced three-class series, 6-10 p.m. Thursdays beginning Thursday, $150. Chef's Table, chefs share stories as a four-course dinner is prepared and served with fine wines; 7 p.m. Fri. $75. Seating is limited. Weeknight Gourmet, ideas for meals in minutes with chef Carolyn White, 6:30 p.m. Mon. RSVP (813) 926-4465.
LA MAISON CLASSES: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Couple Cook Healthy Foods class shows how to create low-calorie, low-carb or low-cholesterol dishes, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., $45 per person or $85 per couple. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.
COOKING WITH CHEF FRED: 7 p.m. April 28, Drew Coffee Shop, 1907 Drew St., Clearwater. Khorest-e ghormeh zabzi with lamb shank (spinach, parsley, cilantro, basil, mint, dill and red beans with lamb shank), rice, Iranian salad and dessert; students may bring wine or beverage; $24.99, includes dinner. (727) 441-2572.
SAVVY SALSAS: 6:30 p.m. today, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Complete meals planned around salsas, with Kerrie and Robert Broe; Raw - Living Foods Made Easy, with chef Joseph, 11 a.m. Sat. Free. (727) 443-6703.
- 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.
