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Food File

A look at what's happening

Special events and food tastings

SPANISH CUISINE AND WINES: 7 p.m. today, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Spanish winemaker dinner with guest winemaker Christopher Cannan; $50 a person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (813) 248-4961.

COUNTRY VINTNER DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Pepper Mill, 1575 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. Wines from South Africa, France, Spain, Chile, Italy and Australia; menu by executive chef Eric Milks includes braised Tuscan rabbit with wild mushrooms; $65, inclusive, proceeds benefit the Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 319.

KELLY'S WINE DINNER: p.m. beginning at 5 p.m. Fri. or Sat., at Kelly's For Just About Anything, 319 Main St., Dunedin. Fall menu dinner includes red pepper bisque with Zellwood corn, pan seared filet mignon with Swiss chard, flourless Belgian chocolate torte, matched with choice of two levels of wine pairings of $12.50 or $20, added to dinner cost of $35. Call (727) 736-5284.

TASTE OF BAY STREET: 4-10 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun., Bay St. at International Plaza, West Shore and Boy Scout boulevards, Tampa. Samplings of food, wine and spirits from International Plaza restaurants. Taste ticket prices start at $1; sales benefit Lynn Sowers Foundation and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. Call 813 342-3790 or go to www.shopinternationalplaza.com

TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 11:30 p.m. Sat., Wine Cellar, 17307 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach. Demonstration and sampling from Wine Cellar menu by chef Doug Miller at monthly meeting; $10. RSVP required by today; call (727) 789-2605 to attend.

CULINARY CONTENDERS: 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner competition Sat., Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota. Iron Chef-styled competition with local chef; $80, proceeds benefit Children's Haven, other local charities. Call (941) 355-8808, ext. 230.

FRENCH WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Oct. 13, Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. French cuisine and six wines pair in five-course menu of roasted pork filet with stuffed cabbage and beet, praline napoleon; $47, plus tax and gratuity, includes wines. Call (727) 585-9777 to RSVP.

MARDI GRAS ON THE BEACH: 5 p.m. Mon., at Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, 10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater. Beachside benefit to aid Hurricane Katrina victims features tastes of New Orleans, live music; $20 in advance, $25 at door, 100 percent of proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Call (727) 446-2642.

TASTE OF PLANT CITY: 6-11 p.m. Oct. 15, Plant City Stadium, 1810 E Park Road, Plant City. Local restaurants offer samplings, plus live music, family activities; $25, proceeds benefit United Food Bank. Call (813) 764-0625.

ALFANO'S RELIEF DINNER: 6 p.m. Oct. 17, Alfano's Restaurant, 1702 Clearwater/Largo Road S, Clearwater. Italian cuisine and wines; $100 a person, proceeds benefit American Red Cross and Salvation Army hurricane relief. To RSVP, call (727) 584-2125.

"EVENING IN ITALY" DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Cafe Ponte, 13505 Icot Blvd., Suite 214, Clearwater. Six courses from chef Chris Ponte paired with Italian wines from Lago de Garda to benefit family of Ponte's longtime friend, the late Dave Santos; $100, inclusive. Call (727) 538-5768.

STONE CRAB FEST: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, 350 N Spring Blvd., Tarpon Springs. Celebrate opening of stone crab season with crab fest, food, kids' activities, music; $75, kids under 12 free with adult. Proceeds benefit Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Call (727) 712-5222.

ABC TASTING: 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 3535 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Find a favorite wine from varieties both domestic and from around the world, plus snacks, "cigar smoker"; $7, includes logo glass. Call (727) 894-4875.

"WINDOWS ON THE WORLD" LOOKS AT BURGUNDY: 6-8 p.m. today, Tampa Wine Institute (at West Palm Wines), 2009 N 22nd St., Ybor City. Wine expert Kevin Zraly leads Windows On the World wine class; $75, includes signed copy of Windows On the World Wine Course. To RSVP, call (813) 241-8587.

MORE THAN JUST KIWIS: 6-8 p.m. today, at Tastings, A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. New Zealand wines; $10. Call (727) 894-2255.

SPANISH SAMPLING: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thur., at Pelagia Trattoria at International Plaza, West Shore and Boy Scout boulevards, Tampa. Spanish and Portuguese wines, plus appetizers, music; $25, plus tax and gratuity. RSVP and prepayment required; call (813) 313-3209.

ANNIVERSARY TASTING: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Uncorked celebrates fourth anniversary with tasting of 20 wines from around the world, wine auction to benefit hurricane victims; $10. Call (727) 892-9463.

VIVA LA FRANCE: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Bordeaux, cote du Rhone, burgundy, paired with French cheeses, chicken Cordon Bleu; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call 813 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com

WORLDWIDE WINES: 7-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Free sampling of wines from Australia (Yalumba chardonnay and Kangaroo Ridge cabernet), France (Chateau Meyney 1996 Bordeaux), Italy (Colossi Rosso from Sicily), California (Caymus Conundrum). Call (727) 736-4077.

BORDEAUX FLIGHT, PROPER PAIRINGS: A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Bordeaux Flight with emphasis on 1996 and 1998 vintage years, anytime between 6-8 p.m. Tue., $18.

Learn about matching wines with foods while enjoying both at tasting at 6 p.m. Oct. 15, $15. Call (727) 895-1623.

BERN'S TASTINGS: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa.

California Rhone varietals are focus in Fall Wine Class, with syrah, viognier, grenache and more from Napa Valley and Central Coast, 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., $25.

Sample New Zealand sauvignon blancs, pinot noirs and more, paired with cheeses, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 14, $25. RSVP required; call (813) 250-9463 to reserve either event.

WINE FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 25241 SR 52, four miles west of Interstate 75, near Land O'Lakes. Wine tasting and fresh market. Free admission. Call 813 996-2113 or visit www.floridaestateswines.com

BEST OF BORDEAUX: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15, Tampa Wine Institute, 2009 N 22nd St., Ybor City. "Classifications of Bordeaux" class examines Bordeaux region, samples varieties from the classic French growing region; $45. To RSVP, call (813) 241-8587.

TOAD HOLLOW TASTING: 5-8 p.m. Fri., Trinity Spirits & Wine, Mitchell Ranch Plaza, 3208 Little Road, New Port Richey. Toad Hollow wines from California, including chardonnay from Mendocino, merlot reserve from the Russian River area, plus mixers that include apple martini, lemon drop, cosmopolitan at free tasting. Call (727) 372-5655.

AUSTRALIAN AND RHONE TASTING: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 16, B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs. Shiraz, plus grenache, French and California-style Rhone wines; $25, advance reservations required. Visit www.b-21.com or call 727 937-5049 to reserve.

HEALTHY BAKING 101: 5:30-7 p.m. today, First Unity Church, 469 45th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Prepare a healthful organic dinner in class that includes basic nutrition and guidelines for smarter shopping; $25. RSVP required, call (727) 209-2380.

ADAPTABLE ARTICHOKES: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Make an appetizer pate and artichoke pasta salad; free. Call (727) 443-6703.

COOKIE COLLECTION: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Gourmet cookies class; $100, includes supplies. RSVP required; call (813) 837-6888.

COOKING AND PASTRIES: Chamberlain Adult & Community School, at 9401 N Boulevard, Tampa. Gourmet Cooking's second three-class session, beginning 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 17, 24, with class deciding session topics; $60, plus supplies; and Baking and Pastry's second 3-class session beginning 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tue. and Oct. 18, 25, also $60, plus supplies. Call (813) 631-4500.

TROPICAL THANKSGIVING: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Turkey for a tropical Thanksgiving: $25, includes dinner, dessert and beverage, gratuity extra. Call (727) 345-6400 to reserve.

HEART-SMART CREATIVE CUISINE: 5:30 p.m. Mon., fourth floor at St. Anthony's Hospital, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Chef Nathan Rich of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and registered dietitians share heart-healthy cooking techniques. Cost $15; tickets must be purchased by Thur.; call (727) 820-7910.

"DOWN-HOME" OUTDOOR COOKING: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tue. or Nov. 19, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N, Largo. Outdoor cooking class shows traditional methods to cook over open fire with cast iron pots, reflecting ovens and more; $30, includes lunch. Prepaid registration required; call (727) 582-2426.

WEEKNIGHT MEALS, FALL CLASSICS: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin.

Weeknight Meals hands-on class, 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 13, $39.50.

Couple Cook Fall Classics, 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 14, $49.50 each or $95 per couple. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.

STEAKHOUSE CUISINE: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa Steakhouses of the World class makes portobello carpaccio with lobster and chipotle aioli, among other dishes; $45. Call 813 926-4465 or visit www.publix.com/aprons/schools to RSVP.

HALLOWEEN TREATS: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 16, Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Chefs Jurgen Gross and Jim Snyder show how to create spiced pumpkin cupcakes, white chocolate and macadamia nut blondies, honey Madeleines; $30. Call (813) 920-6939 to reserve.

CROCK-TOBER COOKOFF: Share an original slow-cooked recipe in categories from Quick-N-Easy to Impress Your Guests and International Cuisine for chance to win kitchen appliances or a trip to New York to compete in final round of Crock-tober Cookoff Recipe Contest. Deadline for entries is Oct. 31; for complete rules, visit www.crocktober.com

Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.