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Food file

A look at what's happening around the area.

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published October 4, 2006

Special events

taste of st. armands: 6-9 p.m. Sat., St. Armands Circle, off State Road 780, Sarasota. Taste flavors of St. Armands Circle and area restaurants, along with winery and microbrewery offerings and martini bar; $35 adults martini bar extra, $20 ages 9-20, free for kids under 8; tickets sold at door only, benefits children's charities. Call (941) 388-1554.

chili cookoff: 2-5 p.m. Sun., on Osprey Avenue between Hyde Park Street and Hillview Avenue, Sarasota. Local firefighters compete in Firehouse Chili Cookoff; $5 tasting ticket, benefits firefighters Benevolent Fund. Call (941) 954-0609, ext. 105.

villa gallace dinner: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Villa Gallace, 109 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. Chef Marcello Caravello pairs five courses with wines from Napa Valley; $75. Call (727) 596-0200 to register.

COLUMBIA CUISINE AND WINES: Spanish winemaker dinner with varieties from Bodegas Cune of Rioja, 7 p.m. Oct. 12, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City, (813) 248-4961; or 7 p.m. Oct. 13, Columbia Restaurant at the Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 822-8000. Cost: $75. Must reserve by Tue.

beer, brats, & brew-ha-ha: Beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave. Annual OctoBEERfest features Octoberfest ale, plus brewery's other handcrafted beers and ales, bratwurst, pickle-eating and stein-holding contests. Free admission, charge for foods and drink. Call (727) 736-0606 or visit dunedinbrewery.com.

florida wine festival: 3-7 p.m. Oct. 14, first level and Pier Aquarium at the Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Florida Wine Festival showcases wines from around the state, plus hors d'oeuvres; $12 advance, $15 day of event, portion of proceeds benefits Pier Aquarium. Call (727) 821-6443 or visit thefloridawinery.com.

beer-tasting festival: 2-6 p.m. Oct. 14, Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, 8101 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. More than 50 beers for tasting, including Flying Dog, Rogue, plus cajun and other foods for sale, live jazz; $15 advance, $20 at door. Call (727) 546-6732 or visit cajuncafeonthebayou.olm.net.

all that glitters: 6:30 p.m. VIP admission, 7-11 p.m. general admission, Oct. 14, Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. More than 200 wines, beers and spirits, tastes from restaurants including Bella's Italian Cafe, Noho Bistro; $70, $85 at door or $125 VIP admission, benefits MacDonald Training Center. Call (813) 870-1300, ext. 283.

healthy herbs: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14, Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies, 901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Celebrate Herb Day with herb and food tastings, learn about benefits of herbs in promoting health; free. Call (727) 551-0857.

Wine tastings/classes

abc samplings: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits present wine samplings:

* 70 wines from around the world, 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, 3535 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg; $10. Call (727) 894-4875.

* German winemaker tastings, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 1603 N Missouri Ave., Largo, $10, (727) 581-4642; and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 14729 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, $10, (813) 264-1881.

Wines of italy: 5-8 p.m. Thur., Vino 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Sample varieties from the wine-growing regions of Italy, from Tuscany to Amalfi, including super Tuscan, Chianti; free. Call (727) 522-8466.

australia vs. italy: 7 p.m. Fri., Cafe Denali, 1327 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Australia versus Italy Wine Tour pairs wines from each country with artisan cheeses and breads; $15. Call (813) 287-9717 to register.

classic whites: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Chardonnays, viogniers and other classic white wines sampled; $5. Call (727) 347-0743.

'sideways' and sushi: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Sample pinot noirs and other regional wines from Sideways film, paired with sushi; $15 advance, $20 at door. To register, call (813) 250-1967 or visit www.charlieswine.com.

uncorked anniversary: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Celebrate Uncorked's five-year anniversary with wines from around the world, plus hors d'oeuvres; $10, free with Uncorked signature wine stem. Call (727) 892-9463.

Cooking classes

food for life: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. beginning Fri. through Nov. 10, St. Bernard Catholic Church community center, 248 S Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Learn how low-fat vegetarian diet can aid in cancer prevention and survival in Food For Life, a six-session cooking course. Topics include: Replacing Meat, Immune-Boosting Foods, Dairy Alternatives; free, includes lunch, lecture and materials. Limited space; must register by today. Call (941) 778-1908.

old-fashioned tastes: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N, Largo. Teen class (ages 12-17) re-creates menu from chicken and dumplings to lemon sorbet using "black pots" and open fire techniques; $30. Registration required. Call (727) 582-2426.

caribbean cuisine: 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Saffron's Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. Cooking demonstration features Chef Edyth James' tropical treats; $35 includes dinner. To register, call (727) 345-6400 or e-mail edyth@saffronscuisine.com.

quick breads, harvest dinner: Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, Tampa. Call (813) 920-6939.

* Quick breads include sour cream maple nut bread, lemon bread, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sun.; $30.

* Autumn Harvest menu for family or guests includes apple-stuffed pork with cider sauce, 6-8 p.m. Tue.; $30.

say cheese: 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 11, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Taste cheeses from New World innovations to Old World traditional favorites; $25. Call (813) 879-2931 to register.

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

[Last modified October 3, 2006, 12:45:56]