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Food File

A look at what's happening around the area

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published November 9, 2005

Special events and food tastings

ITALIAN WINE DINNER: 6:30 Thur., O Bistro, 6661 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Chef Tyson Grant pairs Risotto Carbonara, Pork Braciolona and grilled rack of lamb with Italian wines from Leonardo Locascio; $75, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 381-1212.

TASTE OF HOPE: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Fri., Tropicana Field, 16th Street and First Avenue S, St. Petersburg. Sample appetizers, entrees and desserts, plus wines, from Cafe Alma, Fleming's, Catch 23, Saffron's, Redwoods and more at Taste of Hope dinner, part of Fisherman's Ball; $125, proceeds benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Call (813) 269-0955.

RIBFEST: beginning at 11 a.m. Fri.-Sun., Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive from Fifth to Seventh avenues NE, downtown St. Petersburg. Annual event features rib vendors from Australia to Alabama, live music; $6 advance, $10 day of show, kids 12 and younger free, through Ticketmaster. Call 727 528-3828 or visit www.ribfest.org

DUNEDIN WINES THE BLUES: 5:30-11 p.m. Sat., Main Street between Broadway and Louden avenues, Dunedin. Culinary treats, beer and wine available for purchase at 14th annual event. Free admission, $1 donation required before food and wine purchases. Call (727) 733-3197.

DECADENT DESSERTS: 5-8 p.m. Sat., Dog Gone Positive, 7620 66th St. N, St. Petersburg. Night of Decadent Desserts includes silent auction, pet caricature artist bring pet photos; $25 advance, $35 at door, proceeds benefit Stop Pet Overpopulation Together. Call (727) 545-3463 or visit www.spotusa.org No pets, please.

SUNCOAST WINE FESTIVAL: 1-4 p.m. Sat., Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, east of Interstate 75 at University Parkway, Sarasota. More than 300 domestic and international wines and tastes from 30 chefs and restaurants; $50, $60 day of event, benefits local Rotary Club, local charities. Call 941 870-0002 or go to www.suncoastwinefestival.com for tickets.

MEDITERRANEAN VEGETARIAN: 7 p.m. Tues., Acropolis, 13575 58th St. N, Clearwater. Tampa Bay Vegetarians invite guests to sample vegan Greek and Mediterranean dishes; $12.50, plus $2 for nonmembers. RSVP required by noon Sat. Call (727) 432-3327 or (813) 269-4665.

CHEF GUI DEMONSTRATION: 7 p.m. Nov. 16, Reef Seafood Market, 17811 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores. Sample seafood, hors d'oeuvres and wine as chef Gui Alinat demonstrates seafood preparation and recipes; $30. Call (727) 391-2000 to RSVP.

BOUCHON BISTRO WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. Nov. 17, Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. French cuisine pairs with Beaujolais, Blenheim merlot, meritage, chardonnay in five-course dinner; $47, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 585-9777 to RSVP.

DESSERT FIRST: 7 p.m. Nov. 18, Tampa Marriott Waterside, 700 S Florida Ave., Tampa. Enjoy creative dessert masterpieces made from Girl Scout cookies and vote for favorite in Dessert First event, which benefits Girl Scouts of Suncoast Council, includes cocktails, dinner, auction; $150, cocktail attire. Call (813) 262-1688.

PLANT CITY PIG JAM: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 19, Randy Larson Softball Four-plex, 1810 E Park Road, Plant City. Barbecue championship pits 40 cooking teams with rubs, glazes, sauces and categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder and beef brisket in Pig Jam; free admission, charge for BBQ samplings, other foods for sale, parking. Call (813) 754-3707.

PYRENEES AND PROVENCE: Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, presents menu to highlight France's Pyrenees, Provence and Cote d'Azur regions, through Sun. Call (727) 596-6282.

GREEK PASTRIES: Too-busy holiday bakers can order Greek specialties such as baklava, kourabiethes (buttery pastry) or fenekia (honey-dipped spice pastry) for pick-up to give as gifts or enjoy at home from St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th St. N, St. Petersburg; $10-$15 per tray or assortment, proceeds benefit Penelope House for Abused Women, Alzheimer's Foundation, Hospice, others. Call (727) 866-7309 to order by Nov. 26. Pick up orders Dec. 14 at church.

WINES FOR YMCA: 6-8 p.m. Fri., residence at 3613 S Beach Drive, Tampa. Fine Wine & Spirits Warehouse tasting includes wines from Mount Veeder, Opus One, Groth, paired with catered cuisine from Art of the Feast, to benefit Interbay YMCA; $50 per person, $80 per couple, advance payment required. Call (813) 837-8941.

DESSERT WINES: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Ports, Madeiras, rieslings and other wines to pair with desserts are tasted; $10, includes souvenir wine glass, benefits Benedict Haven. Call (727) 892-9463.

FLAVORS OF ITALY: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. "Mamma Mia" tasting samples super Tuscans, barberas, Chianti classico, paired with Italian regional cuisine; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call 813 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com

GOT WINE?: Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin.

Taste global wines from Spain to Australia, South Africa to California in free tasting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri.

Holiday Wine and Cigar Tasting features 25 wines from around the world, plus cigars and appetizers, $15, 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Call (727) 736-4077 for either event.

NEW WORLD WINES: 5-7 p.m. Sat., Tampa Wine Institute (at West Palm Wines), 2009 N 22nd St. (corner of 22nd Street and Palm Avenue), Ybor City. Taste the best of New World wines from California, New Zealand and Australia in Connoisseurs Wine series; $45. To RSVP, call (813) 241-8587.

DRINKING UP HISTORY: 2-4:30 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 25241 State Road 52, near Land O'Lakes. Wine class details brief history of wine, grape varietals, cork evolution, how to taste and rate wines, wine glass styles and uses, oak aging and more, plus wine sampling; $20 advance, $25 at door, includes wine tasting, snacks, dessert and logo wine glass. Call (813) 996-2113.

HOLIDAY VIP TASTING: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 16, Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Try wines suitable for gift-giving in Holiday VIP tasting, with premium wines from around the world, paired with hors d'oeuvres; $25, portion of proceeds benefits Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 347-0743.

BEAUJOLAIS TASTING: 5-8 p.m. Nov. 17, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, 1100 Pasadena Ave. S, South Pasadena. Celebrate arrival of Beaujolais nouveau wine, along with 80 wines and spirits for the holidays, in tasting paired with catered hors d'oeuvres; $15 per person. Call (727) 347-9607.

GRAND HOLIDAY TASTING: 3-6 p.m. Nov. 20, B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs. Find wines from sparkling to red and white varieties to pair with holiday feasts in Grand Holiday Tasting; $25, reserve by Nov. 18. Limited availability. Call 727 937-5049, ext. 210, or visit www.b-21.com to reserve.

FALL FEAST: 7-8 p.m. today, 10-11 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Debby DeGraaff makes a "Fabulous Fall Feast" in free vegetarian class. Call (813) 873-7428.

NEW TWIST ON THANKSGIVING: noon-1 p.m. Thur., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave., downtown Clearwater. Learn new twists to traditional Thanksgiving dishes including Roasted Garlic and Sage-Brined Turkey, Corn Bread and Cranberry Stuffing in free class; samplings to first 25 guests. Call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

THANKSGIVING FEAST: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Debby DeGraaff shows how to make Wild Mushroom Pilaf, Glazed Winter Squash and more; free. Call (727) 443-6703.

PIES, CANDIES: Pastry chefs Michael Ostrander, Michael Baugh and Mary Bowyer at Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa lead piemaking class, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., $100; or make holiday candies and treats, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tue., $60. Classes include supplies. RSVP required. Call (813) 837-6888.

TURKEY TIPS: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sun., Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Chefs Jurgen Gross and Jim Snyder share turkey tips for making Thanksgiving easier, including brining, carving and gravymaking; $30. Call (813) 920-6939 to reserve.

VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING: 7-8 p.m. Nov. 16, 10-11 a.m. Nov. 17, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Learn how to prepare a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal from chef Debby DeGraaff; free. Call (813) 873-7428.

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

LA MAISON LESSONS: La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin.

30 Minute or Less Meals class makes quick chicken sautes, shellfish chowders, more, 6:30-9 p.m. Thur., $39.50.

South Beach and Atkins class menu includes low-carb dishes such as lobster bisque and crab cakes, 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 17, $25.

Party Appetizers class makes Baked Brie With Cabernet, Smoked Beef Tenderloin on Blue Cheese Crostini, Asian Style Shrimp, 6:30-9 p.m. Nov. 18, $39.50. Call (727) 736-3070 to RSVP.

APRON'S CLASSES: Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa.

Holiday Appetizers class makes easy and elegant hors d'oeuvres such as Beef Satay With Roasted Garlic Tarragon Butter, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16, $40.

Holiday Entertaining Made Easy prepares Smoked Salmon Mousse, Kahlua and Strawberries, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18, $40. Call 813 926-4465 or visit www.publix.com/aprons/schools to RSVP.

HOLIDAY BRUNCH AND BUFFET: Margaret Ann's Catering, 5625 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, presents class on creating brunch and cocktail buffet dishes for the holiday season, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues. and Nov. 16; $35. Limited seating. Call (727) 525-3983.

PAUL PRUDHOMME: 6:30 p.m. (5-6 p.m. book signing) Nov. 19, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Acclaimed chef, author of 8 cookbooks and restaurant owner Paul Prudhomme shares his Louisiana cuisine; $75. Call (813) 926-4465 to RSVP.

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.

[Last modified November 8, 2005, 16:08:23]