TASTE OF THE NATION: 6-10 p.m. Thur., Phillippi Estate Mansion Park, U.S. 41 and Constitution Boulevard, Sarasota. Annual event features food and wine tastings presented by area restaurants, beverage and wine companies. Entertainment and silent auction. Benefits All Faiths Food Bank and Children First. $50 advance, $60 at the door. 941 379-6333 or www.strength.org/see/taste/taste.htm
SEAFOOD & WINE TASTING: 6 p.m. Thur., the Reef, 17811 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores. Join Chef Gui for a culinary demonstration using seafood and a tasting of wines, including Chateau Les Tuileries AOC Bordeaux, Chateau de Pennautier Chardonnay, Fuente Elvira Do Rueda, Candorales Do la Mancha Joven, Domaine Salvat Sauvignon Blanc and Domaine Salvat Merlot. $20. RSVP (727) 736-1400.
WINGS AND WINE: 6-8 p.m. Sat., Aston Gardens Community Clubhouse, 12951 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. Silent auction and wines from International Cellar. Benefits Tampa's Centre for Women. $15 per person in advance, $20 at the door. (813) 920-0370.
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH: 6-7 p.m. May 6, Amish Country Store, 206 13th St. SW, Largo. "Feinschmecker's Night," sample a selection of Pennsylvania-Dutch food; $5, limited tickets. RSVP required. Call (727) 587-9657.
ARBOR DAY TEA: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., Davis and Daughters Tea Cottage, 530 Alt. U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Five-course afternoon tea with cantaloupe soup for starters and fresh fruit tarts for dessert. $15.95. Call (727) 785-7790 to RSVP.
WINE AND BEER
KILLER B'S: 7 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy are featured, $10 per person. Limited seating, call (813) 879-2931.
TOTALLY ORGANIC: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Try Lolonis organic wines, including Fume Blanc, Chardonnay, Lady Bug red, Cabernet Sauvignon and red Zinfandel. Hors d'oeuvres. Free. (727) 736-4077.
FOOD AND WINE PAIRING: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Asian cuisine is featured, $10, includes souvenir wine glass. Proceeds benefit St. Petersburg Free Clinic. (727) 892-9463.
WINEFEST DISCOVERIES: 6 p.m. Sat., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. New finds from the Sarasota Wine Fest, $15. Dessert Wine Flight, after-dinner delights, 6-8 p.m. Tue. RSVP (727) 895-1623.
ITALIAN TASTES: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Sample Italian black-wax Parmigiana cheese paired with a selection of wines, including Amarone, Valpolicella, Barbera D'Asti and Prosecco. Live entertainment. Free. (727) 321-2400.
WINEMAKERS OF ITALY TASTING: 3-6 p.m. May 9, B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs. Meet and taste with Italian winemakers Domenico Clerico, Enrica Scavino, Paolo Bianchini of Ciacci Piccolomini, Caterina Dei, Giacomo and Giovanni Mori, Pietro Pellegrini and Franco Boschis. Limited availability. RSVP by May 7. $20. 727 937-5049, ext. 210, or www.b-21.com
COOKING CLASSES
APRON'S CLASSES: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket, 7835 Gunn Highway (corner of Ehrlich Road), Tampa. Fill It, Stuff It, Eat It! Hands-on class, 6:30 p.m. Mon., $30. Sushi 101 for Singles: The basics, from rice cooking to rolling techniques, 6:30 p.m. May 7, $40. All About Shrimp: preparation, cooking and presentation with chef Frank Pulgiano, 6:30 p.m. May 8, $30. Teen Raclette: kicks fondue up a notch, 6:30 p.m. May 5, $25. RSVP (813) 926-4465.
CAKE DECORATING: Honey Bee Shop, 11144 N 30th St., Tampa. Basic Cake Decorating, including shell borders and making a rose, four-week class begins 7-9 p.m. Mon. Tiered Cakes and Fondant, 7-9 p.m. Tue. Each class is $25, plus tax and supplies. Advance registration required. (813) 971-7599.
LOWER CARB AND GLUTEN-FREE: Sugar Free Desserts, 2660 Bayshore Blvd. (northwest corner of Alt. U.S. 19 and Curlew Road), Dunedin. Low Carbohydrates Cooking: menu is also sugar- and gluten-free, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sat., $45. Gluten Free Baking: preparing pie crusts and pies, 6:30-8:30 Tue., $45. Gluten Free Cooking: lasagna, squash raviolis and pumpkin pie, 6:30-8:30 Thur., $45. RSVP: (727) 738-9525
LA MAISON: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Hands-on French Brasserie, prepare goat cheese tart and more, 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., $45 or $85 for two. Couples Cook Famous Restaurant Foods: varied menu includes blackened fish tacos with spicy mayo and tropical-fruit salsa and individual German chocolate cakes, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., $45 per person or $85 per couple. Creative Cooking With Potatoes: includes potatoes roasted with salt, sweet potato biscuits and more, 6:30-9 p.m. Tue. Cinco De Mayo Celebration: gourmet Mexican menu features poblano chiles stuffed with shrimp, apples and almonds; beef tenderloin with mole sauce; finish with chocolate souffle with custard sauce, 7-9:30 p.m. May 5, $39.50, includes a glass of sangria. Kicked Up Comfort Foods: your favorites updated, 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., $29.50. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.
COOKING WITH CHEF FRED: 7 p.m. today, Drew Coffee Shop, 1907 Drew St., Clearwater. Learn to prepare khorest-e ghormeh zabzi with lamb shank (spinach, parsley, cilantro, basil, mint, dill and red beans with lamb shank), rice, Iranian salad and dessert. Guests may bring wine or beverage. $24.99, includes dinner. Call (727) 441-2572.
-- 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.
