CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA: 5:30-10:30 p.m. today, Viva la Frida Cafe y Galeria, 5901 N Florida Ave., Tampa. Special menu with recipes from Frida's Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo; also works by charcoal portrait artist Mauricio Vasquez, including likenesses of Benito Juarez, Frida Kahlo and others; live music. No cover charge; fee for food. (813) 231-9199.
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH SAMPLING: 6-7 p.m. Thur., Amish Country Store, 206 13th St. SW, Largo. "Feinschmecker's Night" offers guests a chance to sample a selection of Pennsylvania-Dutch foods. $5, limited tickets, advance RSVP required. Call (727) 587-9657.
2004 BEST CHEF OF TAMPA BAY: 7-10 p.m. Tue., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Massimo Patano of Massimo's and Eric Webber of Eric's New World Bistro, both restaurants in Palm Harbor, meet for final round in this year's culinary competition, each preparing meal from surprise ingredients. Spectators sample their creations and vote for their favorite. $100 per person; portion of proceeds benefits Homeless Emergency Project. RSVP required, (727) 736-3070.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
ABC FINE WINE & SPIRITS: 6-8 p.m. today, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 2330 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa. Samples of more than 100 wines and spirits, also specialty beers and gourmet food. (813) 971-2122.
WINEMAKERS OF ITALY: 3-6 p.m. Sun., 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. RSVP by Fri.. $20. 727 937-5049, ext. 210; or www.b-21.com
GOT WINE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Free tasting of fine wines includes L de Lyeth Merlot from California, Mediterranee Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot from France, and DeLoach late-harvest Gewuerztraminer. Hors d'oeuvres. (727) 736-4077.
BEST OF SHOW WINES: 6-8 p.m. Sat., Florida Orange Groves and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, Pasadena. Tasting of winners from Florida State Fair competitions for 2002-2004, paired with hors d'oeuvres; also live music and tours of the winery. $10 (includes souvenir tasting glass). Reservations suggested; call (727) 347-4025.
FLORIDA ESTATES WINE CLASS: Class offered 6-8 p.m. Sat., repeats 6-8 p.m. May 15 at Florida Estates Winery, 25241 SR 52, near Land O' Lakes in Pasco county. Winery cellar-master Ron Hunt presents detailed wine class with discussion of wine tasting and rating, grape varietals, cork history, oak aging, wine glass styles and brief wine history; also sampling of 13 wines, with discussion. $20 advance, $25 at door (includes tasting, snacks and dessert, logo wine glass). (813) 996-2113.
V.I.P. TASTING: 6-8 p.m. May 12, Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Sample fine wines from around the world. A portion of proceeds benefits Abilities Foundation. $25. (727) 347-0743.
Cooking classes
APRON'S CLASSES: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Teen Raclette: The latest in tabletop preparation, 6:30 p.m. today (for ages 12-16), $25. Sushi 101 for Singles: The basics, from rice cooking to ingredient selection and rolling techniques, 6:30 p.m. Fri., $40. All About Shrimp: Preparation, cooking and presentation, 6:30 p.m. Sat., $30. Weeknight Gourmet: Use prepared items to create special meals in minutes, 6:30 p.m. Mon., $35. Upcoming series of classes: The Basics of Culinary (cooking techniques), 6-10 p.m. Wednesdays beginning May 12 (through June 16), $300 for six-session class; and Intermediate Techniques, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays beginning Mon. (through June 7; no meeting May 31) or 6-10 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Tue. (through June 1), $200 for four-session class. RSVP required; (813) 926-4465.
LA MAISON CLASSES: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Cinco de Mayo Celebration: Learn to make gourmet Mexican dishes, 7-9:30 p.m. today, $39.50. Kicked Up Comfort Foods: Your favorite old-time recipes updated, 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., $29.50. Couples Cook a Cajun Feast, 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., $45 per person, $85 for two. Husbands, Daughters and Sons Cook for Mom, 3-5 p.m. Sun., $39.50 each; mom pays half-price with parties of two, or free with family of three or more. Heart Healthy Hands-On Dinner Foods class No. 6, 6:30-8 p.m. May 12, $25 per class or seven classes for $150. RSVP required for all; (727) 736-3070.
CARIBBEAN CUISINE: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Caribbean chef Edyth James cooks up tropical treats, shares her cooking secrets in monthly cooking class: $25, includes dinner and beverage. RSVP 727 343-5410 or e-mail edyth@saffronscuisine.com to reserve.
- 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.
