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Food file

A look at what's happening

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published May 11, 2005

Special events and food tastings

MARTINI PARTY: 7-9 p.m. Fri., at the Bank, 1919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Salvador Dali Zodiac Group benefit pairs martinis and hors d'oeuvres with imaginative use of lampshades in original artwork by local artists for silent auction, at "Future's So Bright Martini Party"; $35, $25 members, plus $10 more the day of event. Call (727) 823-3767 for tickets.

SEA GRAPES: 7-11 p.m. Sat., Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive. Tampa. Fourth annual food and wine Aquarium fundraiser pairs food from area restaurants with wines in an undersea setting; silent auction of items, including wine and food baskets; $55, $60 after Tue. Call (813) 273-4568.

TASTE OF SAFETY HARBOR: 5-11 p.m. Sat., at Marina Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor. Samples from area restaurants, live bands; $2 admission, kids under 12 free; nominal charge for food tastes. Call (727) 726-1668.

TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 2:30 p.m. Sat., Palm Harbor Steakhouse, 35114 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Monthly meeting of the Tampa Bay Culinary Club features demonstration and menu favorites from Palm Harbor Steakhouse chef; $10. RSVP required by today; call (727) 789-2605 to attend.

HAHN ESTATES DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Mon., Cafe Ponte, 13505 Icot Blvd., Clearwater. Winemaker Adam LaZarre showcases Hahn Estates varieties, including new meritage, paired with chef Christopher Ponte's cuisine; $100, inclusive, benefits the Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 349.

A TASTE OF FRANCE: 7 p.m. May 20, Bleu Acier Inc., Salon of New Perspectives, 109 W Columbus Drive, Tampa. French cuisine by chef Gui Alinat plus wines, display by European and American artists and music; $35, $40 at door. Call 813 781-8738 or purchase tickets online at www.thedriftlounge.com

DESSERTS WITH A PURPOSE: Maggiano's Little Italy, at 203 WestShore Plaza, Tampa, presents "Eat a Dish, Make a Wish," in which patrons who order either a Boston cream pie or strawberry shortcake from Thur. until Father's Day will have a portion of dessert costs matched by Maggiano's to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Call (813) 251-4242, ext. 229, or (813) 288-9000.

OREGON ORIGINALS: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Oregon wines sampled in this week's tasting; $10. Proceeds benefit A Blooming Place for Kids. Call (727) 892-9463.

MAGNIFICENT MARTINIS: 7:30 p.m. Sat., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Elegant martinis, shaken or stirred, plus wines and beer at tasting; $12 advance, $15 at door. Call 813 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com

FLORIDA ESTATES WINE FEST: 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 varieties; browse the fresh market's produce, fresh foods, sandwiches, sauces and more; free admission. Call (813) 996-2113.

GLOBAL TASTING: 6-8 p.m. May 20, American Spirits, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Taste 20 wines from around the world, in free, fun, informative sampling with hors d'oeuvres. Call (727) 895-8700.

ROBUST REDS: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 21, Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Meet Cantina Frentana winemakers from Abruzzo, Italy and try their robust red wines, plus food samplings and live entertainment; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

CAULIFLOWER CLASS: 7-8 p.m. today, 10-11 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Debby DeGraaff uses cauliflower in vegetarian dishes; free. Call (813) 873-7428.

EASY SUMMER PICNICS: noon-1 p.m. Thur., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave., Clearwater. Chef Bill Mitchell of Apron's Cooking School makes easy picnic fare such as mixed green salad with mango vinaigrette, spinach and artichoke dip, chicken Caesar wraps; recipes available. Free; first 25 to arrive at class sit at sample table; call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

FILLINGS, FONDANTS AND FEUILLETAGE: Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. How to create cake fillings and mousses, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., $100; Fondant class 6-10 p.m. Tue., $60; Feuilletage class explains puff pastry secrets, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 22, $100. Classes include supplies; RSVP required, call (813) 837-6888.

USING HERBS AND SPICES: 5-7 p.m. Tue., Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Learn to use herbs and spices to flavor dishes in cooking class led by restaurant chef Yves Vacheresse; recipes, sampling included, $40. Call (941) 309-2008 to reserve.

LA MAISON LESSONS: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Hands-on Herbs and Spices class makes parsley and Cheddar-stuffed baked onions, chicken with sloe gin and juniper, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thur., $45; Wraps and Rolls class uses rice paper, phyllo dough and more to make mango shrimp summer rolls, roast beef wraps with horseradish coleslaw, hoisin chicken in lettuce wraps, 7:30-9 p.m. May 19, $39.50; Kicked Up Steakhouse class makes crab-stuffed mushrooms, lobster bisque, ribeye steaks, orange-chocolate tart, 6:30-9 p.m. May 20, $49.50 or $95 for two. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.

GOOD FAT/BAD FAT: 7-8 p.m. May 18, 10-11 a.m. May 19, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Chef Debby DeGraaff teaches the differences between "good" fats and unhealthy "bad" fats in free vegetarian cooking class. Call (813) 873-7428.

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.

[Last modified May 10, 2005, 10:44:04]