BARBECUE IN THE AMERICAS: 6:30 p.m. today, SideBern's, 1002 Howard Ave. S, Tampa. Wine dinner with grilled foods from the Americas and the Caribbean features the origins of barbecue; $65 inclusive. RSVP required; call (813) 258-2233.
TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 11:30 a.m. Sat. (new meeting date), Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Tampa Bay Culinary Club members meet for a demonstration and sampling of French menu favorites by Cafe Largo's chef Dominic and chef Peter of Le Bouchon Bistro; $10. RSVP required; call (727) 789-2605 to attend.
O BISTRO BENEFIT DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9, O Bistro, 6661 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Pablo Morande, of Vina Morande winery in Chile, presents Gran Reserve merlot, Curico Valley sauvignon blanc, Limited Edicion malbec and other varieties, paired with chef Tyson Grant's menu of roasted Muscovy duck salad, spiced conch empanadas, espresso grilled lamb chop and more; $75, plus tax and gratuity. Portion of proceeds benefits the Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 381-1212.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
PAELLA PAIRING: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Tasting pairs wines with classic Spanish paella; $10, includes souvenir wine glass. Proceeds benefit A Brighter Day. Call (727) 892-9463.
AUSTRALIAN AFFINITY: 6-8:30 p.m. Fri., International Cellar Wine Boutique, 11655 Countryway Blvd. at Race Track Road, Tampa. "Andrew the Aussie" serves wines from his native Australia in free tasting. Call (813) 855-8099 for more information.
CHAMPAGNE SIPPER: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Summer Champagne Sipper shows that sparkling wines fit any occasion; includes Mionetto prosecco, Handley brut rose, Billot Fils Grand Cru brut; $10. Call (813) 879-2931 to RSVP.
KENDALL-JACKSON PAIRINGS: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Apron's Cooking School at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Wines from one of California's most awarded wineries, paired with courses from Kendall-Jackson chef Randy Lewis; $40. Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve.
BERN'S SUMMER SAMPLING: 3-6 p.m. Sat., Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 Howard Ave. S, Tampa. Take a break from the heat with cool summer tasting of more than 80 wines designed to be enjoyed now; free tasting. Call (813) 250-9463.
WINE FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 25241 SR 52, 4 miles west of Interstate 75, near Land O' Lakes. Sample the winery's offerings, browse the fresh market for produce, sandwiches, sauces and more; handmade crafts for sale and live music. Free admission. Call 813 996-2113 or visit www.floridaestateswines.com
BACK ROOM BEST: 6 p.m. Sat., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Annual tasting brings out the best wines from the "back room" and wines by the glass; $15. Call (727) 895-1623 to reserve.
LA RONCIERE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot/shiraz, Carmenere Reserva, pinot noir and chardonnay varieties from Chile's Rapel Valley by La Ronciere winery paired with hors d'oeuvres at free tasting. Call (727) 736-4077.
RAW FOODS: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Raw foods diet class makes watermelon soup, avocado kale salad, gazpacho and more; free. Call (727) 443-6703.
SEAFOOD, SOUTH BEACH: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Mastering Seafood class, cornmeal fried red snapper, grilled Florida lobster with brandy butter, shrimp a l'Americaine, 6:30-9 p.m. Tue., $45; or class for South Beach, Atkins and other low carb dieters features menu of fried green tomatoes, mock garlic mashed potatoes, oven fried chicken with almonds, 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 1, $25. To RSVP either class, call (727) 736-3070.
COOKING AT THE ACADEMY: Tampa Bay Cooking Academy, 700 Central Ave., No. 102, St. Petersburg, presents hands-on cooking classes: Basic Stocks and Sauces, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9:30 p.m. Mon.; Desserts I (creme Anglaise, pate a chou), 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9:30 p.m. Tue.; Salads (Caesar, Nicoise) 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9:30 p.m. Sept. 1; Specialty Fowl/Thanksgiving, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9:30 p.m. Sept. 2. Cost per class: $60, plus food costs. Call (727) 898-2665 to register.
TEENS, COUPLES COOKING: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Grilling techniques demonstrated by teens: how to deal with flareups and use indoor or tabletop grills; menu includes Texas-style ribs, grilled pound cake with berries, 6:30 p.m. Tue., $25; or Couples Cooking class proves two cooks are better than one; menu includes lobster and corn open ravioli, Thai noodle salad, lychee panna cotta, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4, $80 per couple. Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve a place.
CREPE CREATIONS: Cappuccinos Bakery Cafe, 733 Broadway, Dunedin. Cooking class on how to create easy but elegant dessert crepes for dinner parties; make Crepes Normandy 7-9 p.m. Tue.; $15, plus food costs. Call (727) 738-8009 to reserve; limited class size.
