Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Neighborhood report

Courier City: Wooing women with their culinary charms

Bachelors will square off in a wine bar's competition where they will have to sway their lady judges to remain in the running.

By GRACE AGOSTIN
Published July 2, 2004

Charlie's Wine Cellar is looking for a few good bachelors who can win over hearts and stomachs.

The wine bar on Howard Avenue is hosting a contest to find Tampa's "hottest cooking bachelor." The competition, called Cooking for Love, blends traits from television reality shows The Bachelor, Iron Chef and Survivor.

"Summer is pretty slow for us, so we wanted to bring in something that would cause some activity," owner Glynn Giacone said.

Giacone came up with the idea from customer Larry Vickman of Ballast Point, who brought one of his dishes to the bar and passed it around.

"He was having the time of his life showing off the food and meeting these women, so we got to thinking," Giacone said.

The contest begins July 15 with 12 bachelors and runs Thursdays and Fridays for the next six weeks. The winner will receive a trip for two to Napa Valley, Calif., a tour of the Toad Hollow winery owned by Robin Williams' half brother, Todd Williams, and dinner for two.

Charlie's is taking applications for contestants. Applicants can't have professional cooking experience and, if selected, must pay $100 to help cover food costs.

The competition will begin with three bachelors who must cook a specified entree in their own culinary style and make their choice of a side dish. Giacone will provide wine to complement the entree.

"If they want to take salmon and make it into a Spanish or Thai dish, that's up to them," Giacone said.

Female customers will decide each week which bachelor to vote out of the kitchen, based on creativity and taste. In August, the final two will compete in a cookoff.

"Women (will) get to see, meet and talk with these guys," Giacone said. "At the end, he might meet somebody. She might meet somebody. You never know."

- Grace Agostin can be reached at 226-3434 or gagostin@sptimes.com

The Cooking for Love contest for Tampa's "hottest cooking bachelor" starts at 7:30 p.m. July 15 at Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave. The cost for audience judges is $25 or $10 if you buy two bottles of wine . Admission includes food cooked by the bachelors and wine. To apply, send a short bio, photo and 100-word letter on why you should be named the hottest cooking bachelor. Send applications to info@charlieswine.com by July 9. Call 250-1967.

[Last modified July 1, 2004, 11:26:08]