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Food file

Special events

FRENCH/AUSTRALIAN PAIRING: 7 p.m. Aug. 25, Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. Six Australian wines from Oxford Landing, including Yalumba series riesling, viognier, muscat and merlot, pair with a French menu that offers a la regalido, bouillabaisse of mussels, fish and shrimp; 47.95, plus tax and gratuity; includes wines. Call (727) 585-9777 to RSVP.

FIRE ON THE BEACH: Noon-5 p.m. Aug. 27, Rum Runners, Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Chili cookoff; judging at 3 p.m., tastings from 2-4 p.m.; $5 per tasting, benefits Faces of Courage Foundation, for children battling cancer and their families; offsite parking with shuttle (charge for shuttle). Call (727) 363-0071.

WINES OF LA MANCHA: 7 p.m. today, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Columbia celebrates 400th anniversary of publication of Don Quixote de la Mancha with vintner dinner featuring varieties from Legado Munoz Winery in Spain's La Mancha region, paired with Columbia's cuisine; $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (813) 248-4961.

FIESTA ITALIANO: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Alfano's Restaurant, 1702 Clearwater-Largo Road, Clearwater. Abilities benefit dinner celebrates Italian cuisine and William Grant wines, including Tiziano "Gold" 2001 Chianti classico, Castilgion del Bosco brunello de montalacino, Casalnova prosecco; $80 inclusive, proceeds benefit Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 349.

OREGON TRAIL: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Selection of ten wines from Oregon, includes chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot noir, riesling and meditrina; $10. Call (813) 879-2931 to RSVP.

CHOCOLATE WINE TASTING: 1-5 p.m. Sat. Maison de Noix et Chocolats, 358 Main St., Dunedin. Taste "Et Chocolat," a blend of pinot noir, malbec and port with hint of dark chocolate, plus sampling of Stonewall Kitchens' Wild Maine Blueberry jam; free. Call (727) 735-0535.

AUGUST STOMP: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, U.S. 27, 3 miles south of Florida Turnpike Exit 285, near Clermont. Grape stomping, free winery tours and tastings; food and wine available for purchase. Admission, $2. Call toll-free 1-800-768-9463, or 352 394-8627, or visit www.lakeridgewinery.com

TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 9:30 a.m. Aug. 27 at Guppy's on the Beach, 1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. Chef Scott Bebell demonstrates a dish at this month's meeting of the Tampa Bay Culinary Club; $10. RSVP required by Aug. 24; call (727) 789-2605.

VEGAN BUFFET : 7 p.m. Aug. 23, Jerusalem Cafe and Grill, 30610 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Tampa Bay Vegetarians invite guests to vegan buffet; $13, plus $2 for nonmembers, includes tax and tip. RSVP required by noon Sun. (727) 461-2636 or (813) 269-4665.

TASTING TIPS: 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, at Pelagia Trattoria at International Plaza, West Shore and Boy Scout boulevards, Tampa. Wine-tasting tips, plus appetizers from Pelagia Trattoria chefs; $15. Proceeds benefit the Florida Orchestra and volunteers. Reservations required; call (813) 313-3235.

CALIFORNIA WINE AND SUSHI: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Boutique wines from Napa and Sonoma paired with sushi; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call 813 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com

JOSEPH PHELPS WINES: 6 p.m. Fri., Village Wine & Spirits, the Shoppes of New Tampa, 1836 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Wines from California's Joseph Phelps Vineyards; $25. Reservations recommended; call (813) 994-1000 or visit vwstampa.com.

AUSTRALIAN WINES: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Australian wines tasting; $10. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Call (727) 892-9463.

CALIFORNIA CALLIN': 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 26, Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, in the Brick Room at SideBern's, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Rhone-style wines and zinfandels from Cline Cellars, including syrah, viognier, marsanne, roussane, carlgnan and mourvedre, $15. RSVP required; call (813) 250-9463 to reserve.

FRESH TASTE OF ITALY: Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Demonstration with Mike Grimes, 6:30 p.m. Thur., $35. Also: Learn at Lunch: Cooking With Herbs with Mike Grimes. Noon Sat., $25. Latin Sizzle with Bill Mitchell, 6:30 p.m. Sat., $35. Gluten-Free Cooking with Bill Mitchell. 6:30 p.m. Mon., $35. www.publix.com/aprons/schools or call 813 926-4465 to RSVP.

COUPLES COOK ITALIAN: 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Italian dishes for two, including shallot and pancetta-stuffed filet mignon; $95 per couple or $49.50 each. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.

-- 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.