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Food file

Special events and tastings.

Special events and food tastings

'FROM THE COOK'S SHELF': 7 p.m. today, Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E Lemon St. Cookbook lovers are invited to discussion group on Cajun cuisine and Mardi Gras, bring favorite recipes and tastes to share; free. Call 727 944-3042.

VEGAN TASTING: 6-8:30 p.m. Thur., Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road. Try samples of vegan foods at gathering of Pasco Vegetarian/Vegan Society. Meet Dr. Will Tuttle, author of World Peace Diet, at free tasting. Call (813) 365-0317.

TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB: 1 p.m. Sat., Paesan's Seafood Italiano, 14380 N Dale Mabry, Tampa. Culinary demonstration and sampling with executive chef Griff Lohrman; $10. RSVP required by today. Call (727) 789-2605 to attend.

ABILITIES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL: 6-7 p.m. VIP Sonoma Vintner Reception, 7-9 p.m. Grand Tasting, Saturday, Tropicana Field, First Avenue and 16th Street S, downtown St. Petersburg. Annual festival features winemakers and more than 400 wines, tastes from area restaurants, auction; $150 advance, $170 at door for VIP reception (includes Grand Tasting), $75 in advance, $85 at door for Grand Tasting; benefits Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 349; www.abilitiesfoundation.com.

DINNER IN THE RAW: 6-9 p.m. March 18, Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm, 26403 Chianina Drive, Wesley Chapel. Herbalist Rose Kalajian prepares Candlelight Dinner in the Raw, a meal of organic and raw food; $25. Call (813) 991-5177 or toll-free 1-877-547-9888 for reservations.

ON THE RUM TRAIL: Sample cane spirits and rums from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Barbados and around the world during Rum Trail, 6-9 p.m. March 23-26 at various Ybor City bars and restaurants, $30; or Rum Fest International Cane Spirits Tasting, with one-stop sampling of cachaca, cane spirits and rums not usually available in the United States, 2-6 p.m. March 25 at Lions Eye Institute Transplant & Research facility, 1410 N 21st St., Ybor City, $30. Call (727) 812-6005 or visit www.polishedpalate.com for tickets.

SAVANT WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. March 25, Savant Fine Dining, 2551 Drew St., Clearwater. Chef David Miller's menu includes cedar planked beef Wellington, prosciutto-wrapped figs, blueberry souffle; wines include 2004 Conundrum, Lyeth meritage 2003; $100, plus tax and gratuity. Call (727) 421-9975.

Wine and beer tastings/classes

WINE, DINE AND BLEND: 7:30-9 p.m. today, Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. "Wine, Dine & Learn" series combines three-course dinner with wine, talk and tips on choosing wines; this week guests blend their own varietals; $35. Call (813) 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com to reserve.

HOOK & LADDER, BONNY DOON: Tastings, A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg:

n 6-8 p.m. today, Michael Deloach and Deloach Winery present varieties from their new winery, Hook & Ladder, $10.

n 6-8 p.m. March 15, varietals from Bonny Doon Vineyards, $10. Call (727) 894-2255.

FROM WINES TO SPIRITS: 5-7 p.m. Thur., ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 6398 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. California and international wines, beers and spirits, light hors d'oeuvres; $5, includes $3 coupon, wine glass. Call (727) 527-1579.

SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. South Africa's pinotage grape, from reds to white, paired with regional cuisine; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call (813) 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com.

WINES FOR SPRING: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Lighter wines for spring, including White Haven sauvignon blanc, Rex Goliath merlot; free. Call (727) 736-4077.

OREGON OFFERINGS, BRUNELLOS: Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg:

n 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., "On the Oregon Trail" tasting with pinot noir, pinto gris, chardonnay and dessert wines from Pacific Northwest; $10, includes souvenir wine glass; benefits Campbell Park Marine Science Center PTA.

n 7-9 p.m. Sat., vertical and horizontal wine tasting of brunellos and barbarescos from 1996-2000, paired with hors d'oeuvres; $25, limited seating, RSVP required. Call (727) 892-9463 to reserve.

MARDI GRAS TASTING: 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Sat., Florida Orange Groves Inc. and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Hors d'oeuvres, winery tour and wines that include white sangria; $10, adults only. Call (727) 347-4025.

PAIRING PRO: 4-6 p.m. Sat., Tampa Wine Institute (at West Palm Wines), 2009 N 22nd St., Ybor City. Learn to expertly match wines with any dish, get serving tips in wine class; eight wines served, plus accompaniments; $35. For reservations, call (813) 241-8587.

FLORIDA ESTATES WINE FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery, 25241 State Road 52, near Land O'Lakes. Fresh market with produce, sandwiches, sauces, salsas, wine. Free admission. Call (813) 996-2113.

WINE 'THINK TANK': 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 15, Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 Howard Ave. S, Tampa. Discussion for wine lovers on flavor profiles of different varietals; $25, plus tax. Call (813) 250-9463 to reserve.

ITALIAN WINES: 6:30-9 p.m. March 15, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Wine class explores wine regions of Italy, samples red, white and sparkling varieties; $30. Call (813) 879-2931 for reservations.

ART & WINE: 6-7:30 March 16, Selby Gallery at Ringling School of Art & Design, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Art & Wine event combines exhibiting artists' works with wine review, hors d'oeuvres, wines from Michael's Wine Cellar; $20. Call (941) 359-7563 to reserve.

Cooking classes

IRISH FAVORITES: noon-1 p.m. Thur., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave., downtown Clearwater. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish dishes, including shepherd's pie, Irish potato patties, cream stout chocolate cake; free. Call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

NUTRITIOUS NUTS, RAW FOODS: Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater:

n 11 a.m. Sat., "Nuts for Nutrition" uses protein-rich nuts in carrot croquettes, fruit compote with vanilla nut cream; free.

n 6 p.m. Sat., "Succeeding with Raw Foods" talk on ensuring long-term success with raw foods, by Doug Graham; free. Call (727) 443-6703.

BREAKFAST BAKING: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Learn to make baked breakfast treats; $100. Reservations required. Call (813) 837-6888.

PERFECT PASTA, POULTRY: Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa:

n 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sun., mastering pasta, noodles and dumplings, with tips on making pad thai and gnocchi, $30.

n 6-8 p.m. Tue., poultry class makes chicken and basil roulades with mustard sauce, chicken with sage and prosciutto, $30. Call (813) 920-6939.

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tue., Outdoor Kitchen Store, 3925 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Grilling class makes party menu that includes smoked duck breast with raspberry sauce, peach skillet cake with bourbon ice cream; $35. Call (813) 875-3447 to reserve.

WEEKNIGHT GOURMET: 6:30 p.m. March 15, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Class makes stylish meals that go together quickly, including scallops with peach salsa, cinnamon almond cookies, $35. Call (813) 926-4465.

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.