SHUG AT SIX TABLES: 7:30 tonight, Six Tables, 118 W Bay Drive, Largo. Shug Carneros Estate Winery pairs chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, sparkling wine and more with menu that includes seared scallops in pernod cream sauce, lobster bisque, chateaubriand; $85, plus tax and gratuity. RSVP: (727) 518-1123.
BEST OF BANFI: Reception 6:30 tonight, dinner at 7, Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Award-winning Maritana Grille and chef Eric Neri showcase menu that includes veal osso bucco and tiramisu chocolate tower, paired with wines from Castellano Banfi that include 2000 Chianti classico riserva, 2002 Fontanelle chardonnay, 2003 rosa Regale; $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 360-1881, ext. 2601.
COLUMBIA WINE DINNER: 6:30 tonight, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Spanish wine dinner features wines from Domino de Tares, ranked among the "Top 100 wines of the World 2003" by Wine Spectator; $75, inclusive. Limited seating; RSVP to (813) 248-4961.
"ITALIANO FESTIVALE": 6:30 p.m. Thur., O Bistro, 6661 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Fine Italian wines and cuisine converge, with wines from Tuscany, the Piedmont and Sicily, paired with chef Tyson Grant's fall menu of pumpkin ravioli, wild boar cacciatore, apricot tiramisu and vertical tasting of rare barolo vintages; $100, inclusive. Portion of proceeds benefits Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 381-1212.
DINING OUT TO HELP: Thur. is Dine Out for Disaster Relief Day in Florida, with participating restaurants donating 10 percent of sales to Florida Hurricane Relief Fund to aid victims of recent storms. Participating restaurants include Dan Marino's Town Tavern, Hooter's, Shells Seafood, Skipper's Smokehouse, Wine Exchange. For complete list, go to Florida Restaurant Association Web site at www.flra.com
HUNGER BANQUET: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Eckerd College Fox Hall, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Benefit "soup and bread supper" for St. Petersburg Free Clinic food bank, pantry and community programs; $10 adults, free for students with donation of three personal-care items. Call (727) 821-1200, ext. 118.
"ONE TANK TRIP" TASTES: 6 p.m. Thur., Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Tastes from area restaurants at launch of Bill Murphy's new book, One Tank Trips with Bill Murphy, Off the Beaten Path; tickets $9.95 includes book, or $13 at door. Call (727) 771-8840 or go to www.wtvt.com
BOSSES DAY TEA: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., or seatings at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Sat., Davis and Daughters Tea Cottage, 530 Alt. U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Five-course tea includes fresh herb quiche, smoked salmon and dill tea sandwiches, spinach salad, currant scones and shortbread cookies; $15.95. RSVP: (727) 785-7790.
TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 1 p.m. Sat., Great Lakes Fish House, 776 N Missouri Ave., Largo. Monthly meeting and demonstration; $10. RSVP required: (727) 789-2605.
MEET MARCELLA: 7 to 9 p.m. Sat., Sarasota News & Books, 1341 Main St., Sarasota. Book signing and reception for Marcella Hazan's new book, Marcella Says. Call (941) 365-6332 for information. Also, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Enjoy Italian tastes from the "Queen of Italian Cuisine" as she signs books, plus chef Marty Blitz demonstrates Marcella-inspired dish; $49, or $69.95 per couple, includes glass of prosecco, signed book. Call (813) 254-5373 to reserve.
TASTE OF GULFPORT: Noon-7 p.m. Oct. 23, Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. Stroll Gulfport's waterfront area, sampling more than 35 restaurants' cuisine, live entertainment. Free admission, nominal charge for tastes. Call (727) 344-3711.
STONE CRAB FEST: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, 350 N Spring Blvd., Tarpon Springs. Stone crab season opener to benefit Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art educational programs; $50, free for kids under 14; hot dogs, hamburgers, art activities available. Call (727) 712-5222.
SEAFOOD AND WINE FEST: Annual Stone Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival from Oct. 28-31 at Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, with chef demonstrations and wine tastings 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 29-30 ($60); Tasting on the Beach 7-10 p.m. Oct. 29 ($150); gala winemaker dinner 7 p.m. Oct. 30 ($195); complete festival packages with lodging start at $1,825. Chefs include Alice Weingarten of Alice's Key West, wines include Fess Parker, Cosentino, Lolonis. Call (941) 383-6464, ext. 2901.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
BOURBON MASTERY: Noon-2 p.m. today, B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs. Master distiller James C. Russell meets fans of Wild Turkey to sign bottles and celebrate his 50 years with the Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Ky. Call (727) 937-5049.
MEDITERRANEAN FLAVORS: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Apron's Cooking School at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Tasting pairs wines from Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey with tapas that include deep-fried green olives stuffed with sausage and goat cheese, chicken in sherry-almond sauce; $40. Reserve at (813) 926-4465.
CHILLIN' AT CHANNELSIDE: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 21, Grille 29, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Tampa Bay Uncorked Happy Hour gathering, with grilled goodies and wines from Geyser Peak, Estancia, Atlas Peak and more; $5 at door; www.tampabayuncorked.org
TINY BUBBLES: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. "Wines With Bubbles" tasting samples champagne and French and Italian sparklers such as petillant and frizante; $10, includes souvenir wine glass. Call (727) 892-9463.
OKTOBERFEST TASTING: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Celebrate with five German beers, riesling wines such as Piesporter Michelsberg, Moselland and more; $5, includes bratwurst and sauerkraut, pretzel. Call (727) 736-4077.
INTRO TO WINE II: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 23, Tampa Wine Institute, 2009 N 22nd St., Ybor City. Wine class explores best wine-growing regions around the world; six-eight wines served, plus foods to accompany; $30. Limited seating; call (813) 241-8587 to attend.
NEW ITALIAN WINES: 1-5 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Wines from Italy's varied growing regions, including Baroncini Chianti, Contadi Castaldi brut, Movia cabernet; free. Call (727) 321-2400.
GRAND REOPENING: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thur., ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 6943 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. Wine tasting and gourmet food sampling, with more than 80 wines, plus spirits and cordials, cheeses and food tastes, outdoor cigar smoker; $7, includes discount coupon and wine glass. Call (813) 884-3792.
GREEK TASTING: 6-8:30 p.m. Fri., International Cellar Wine Boutique, 11655 Countryway Blvd. at Racetrack Road, Tampa. Mediterranean flavors featured in sampling of wines from Greece; free. Call (813) 855-8099.
FRENCH BURGUNDIES: 6 p.m. Sat., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Newly arrived Domaine Voarick burgundies, from Aloxe-Corton in France, with winemaker Aleth Voarick; $20. Reserve at (727) 895-1623.
HAUNTED WINERY TOUR: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 22-23, Florida Orange Groves Inc. and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, Pasadena. Creep into the winery for tour and tasting of hauntingly good wines, featuring varieties selected for Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, paired with hors d'oeuvres with wine as an ingredient; $10, includes souvenir glass. Must be over 21. Reserve at (727) 347-4025.
Cooking classes
WILD RICE: 7-8 tonight, 10-11 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Debby DeGraaff shows how to make vegetarian dishes that use wild rice in free class. Call (813) 873-7428.
SUGARFREE PIE AND CAKES: Sugar Free Desserts, 2660 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, offers Basic Cake Layers and Techniques with Splenda, making strawberry almond cream cake, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thur., $45; Sugarfree Pie Maker's class, vanilla cream and peanut butter pie, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue., $45. RSVP: (727) 738-9525.
COOKING WITH WINE: 6-9 p.m. Thur. and Oct. 21, Cappuccinos Bakery Cafe, 733 Broadway, Dunedin. Ladies-only class makes hot and cold dinner party appetizers, including cheese straws and choux pastries; $20, plus food costs; bring bottle of wine if desired. Limited class size; reserve a spot at (727) 738-8009.
COBWEB CUPCAKES: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sun., Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Shoppingtown of Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Chefs Jurgen Gross and Jim Snyder make Halloween baked treats and beverages for kids of all ages; $35. Reserve at (813) 920-6939.
VINOY CHEF HEALTHY SECRETS: 5:30 p.m. Mon., St. Anthony's Hospital, classroom D, first floor, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Chef Nathan Rich of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, along with registered dietitians, share cooking tips to create heart-healthy, flavorful meals; menu includes sea scallops with corn coulis. Cost: $15; tickets must be purchased before Fri.. Call (727) 820-7910.
POMEGRANATE-GLAZED PEARS: 7-9 p.m. Tues. and Oct. 26, Cappuccinos Bakery Cafe, 733 Broadway, Dunedin. Dessert class makes baked pears with pomegranate glaze; $15, plus food costs. Limited class size; reserve a spot at (727) 738-8009.
HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TREATS: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Make healthy sweet treats without refined sugars for Halloween, including popcorn cereal balls, chocolate chip fudge; free. Call (727) 443-6703.
TASTE OF INDIA: 7-8 p.m. Oct. 20, 10-11 a.m. Oct. 21, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Debby DeGraaff presents Indian cuisine dishes in free vegetarian class. Call (813) 873-7428.
APRON'S CLASSES: Apron's Cooking School at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, presents Young Pastry Chefs series, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, $120; Cooking for the Week, with low-carb menu, 4 p.m. Oct. 24, $70. Reserve at (813) 926-4465.
COOKING WITH CHEF FRED: 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Drew Coffee Shop, 1907 Drew St., Clearwater. Iranian chicken stuffed with raisins, pistachios, rice and mushrooms, Iranian salad and baklava in monthly cooking class; guests may bring wine; $24.99, includes dinner. RSVP: (727) 441-2572.
LESSON AND LUNCH: Noon Oct. 21, Bon Appetit Restaurant, 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. Chef Stephen demonstrates Oktoberfest-themed cuisine lunch, with wiener schnitzel, knockwurst, black forest cake and more; $15 prepaid; advance purchase required by Fri.. RSVP: Call (727) 733-2151.
ACADEMY CLASSES: Tampa Bay Cooking Academy, 700 Central Ave., No. 102, St. Petersburg. Hands-on cooking classes: Hors d'oeuvres and First Courses, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. Mon.; Roasting, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. Tue.; Desserts, including sorbets and granitas, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20; Special Brunch Dishes, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Cost per class: $60, plus food costs. To register, call (727) 898-2665.
COOKING WITH HERBS: 6:30 p.m. Tue., Clearwater Public Library, 100 N Osceola Ave., Clearwater. Chef Diane VanEpps shows how to use herbs to maximize flavors in easy-to-make dishes, presented by the Florida Herb Society of Pinellas County. Free. Call (727) 393-3943.
OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues., Margaret Ann's Catering, 5625 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Create a simple picnic or an outdoor dinner buffet with shrimp remoulade with avocado and hearts of palm, black pepper steaks with Jack Daniel's sauce; $35. Reserve: (727) 525-3983.
JOHN ASH: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. One of the creators of California wine country cuisine, chef, author and restaurateur John Ash, presents California cuisine and wine pairing; $75. Limited seating; reserve at (813) 926-4465.
-- 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.
