Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Food

Food File

A look at what's happening around the area.

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published February 28, 2007

SPECIAL EVENTS

Safety Harbor Seafood: noon-10 p.m. Sat., Safety Harbor Marina, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane (at Bayshore Boulevard). Safety Harbor Seafood Festival includes arts and crafts, live music, fireworks; free admission, charge for foods and beverage. Call (727) 724-1572.

Say Cheese: 2-5 p.m. Tues., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2902 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Try variety of out-of-the-ordinary Italian cheeses; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

Tampa Bay Culinary Club: 3 p.m. March 10, Aunt Chilada's Cantina, 34718 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Members meet for demonstration by chef-owner Maria Pomba; $10. Reserve by Tues., advance payment required for new attendees. Call (727) 789-2605.

Strawberry Festival: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursays, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Sundays, beginning Thur. through March 11, Plant City Fairgrounds off U.S. 92; $9 ages 13 and up, $5 ages 6-12, 5 and under free with paid adult. Call (813) 752-9194 or go to flstrawberryfestival.com.

Abilities Wine & Food Festival: 6-7 p.m. VIP reception, 7-9 p.m. Grand Tasting March 10, Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. More than 400 wines from Argentina to New Zealand, Sonoma to South Africa, culinary treats from Cafe Ponte, Island Way Grill, Catch 23, silent auction, music, to benefit Abilities Foundation. Grand Tasting: $75, $85 at door, VIP reception (includes Grand Tasting admission): $150, $175 at door. Call (727) 538-7370, ext. 349, or go to abilitesfoundation.org

WINE TASTINGS/CLASSES

Wines of Italy: From 4-7 p.m. today, these Publix Supermarkets offering free wine sampling of Italian varieties:

- Publix Northeast, 200 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, (727) 895-1670.

- Publix Bay Point, 5295 34th St. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 867-0146.

- Publix Pasadena, 6850 Gulfport Blvd. S, South Pasadena, (727) 345-9347.

- Publix Dolphin Village, 4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, (727) 360-7091.

Cabernet Collection: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Rich and robust cabernet sauvignons from around the world are tasted; $5. Call (727) 347-0743.

Tuscany to Trentino: 1-5 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Italian wines from Tuscany to Trentino, paired with cheeses; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

Best of Boutiques: 5-8 p.m. Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., A & L Fine Wines, Palm Harbor Plaza, 35249 U.S. 19 N. Boutique and limited production wines from California, France, Italy; free. Call (727) 781-4760.

Australia, California Wines: Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa, presents:

- Australian and New Zealand shiraz, pinot noir, blends and white wines paired with regional cuisine, 7:30 p.m. Fri.; $15 advance, $20 at the door.

- Napa/Sonoma Wine, Dine & Learn pairs wine lesson, wines with four-course dinner, 7:30-9 p.m. Sat.; $35, advance registration required.

Call (813) 250-1967 or go to charlieswine.com.

Belleview Biltmore Sampling: 6-9 p.m. Fri., Belleview Biltmore Resort, 25 Belleview Blvd., Clearwater. Wine and cheese pairing at monthly First Friday event at the 110-year-old resort highlights Wheels of Success charity; free, but donations accepted. Call (727) 373-3000.

Benefit Tasting: 6-8 p.m. Fri., at 3613 S Beach Drive, Tampa. Fine Wine & Spirits Warehouse offers over 60 wines including Justin, Sonoma-Cutrer, St. Francis, plus cheeses; $15 per person or $25 per couple suggested donation, benefits United Nations Association. Call (813) 837-8941.

Wine & Fresh Market: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Estates Winery of St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Sample from among winery's red, white, port, fruit, dessert and other varieties, browse fresh market; free admission. Call (727) 526-2113.

WineStyle Sampling: 5-8 p.m. Mon., WineStyles Belleair Bluffs, 2800 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs. Count Collalto, owner/winemaker of Collalto Wines, one of oldest wineries in Italy's Veneto region, presents organic varieties; free. Call (727) 518-9463.

Global Beer & Wines: 6:30-9 p.m. March 7, Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Fifteen beers from Germany, England, Belgium and Bahamas, 15 international wines plus appetizers, entertainment; $10. Call (727) 736-4077.

'Hip, Hip, Syrah!': 6-8 p.m. March 7, Lincoln Heights Bistro, 603 Elm St., Safety Harbor. Syrah sampling pairs mushroom tart, BBQ pork, smoked gouda quesadilla with McWilliams, Bridlewood, Huntington varieties; $12. Call (727) 726-4210 for reservations.

COOKING CLASSES

Vegetarian #101: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Free class on the basics of vegetarian cooking, with black bean salad, quinoa tabouli. Call (727) 443-6703.

Heart-Healthy: 5:30 p.m. Mon., auditorium, St. Anthony's Hospital, 1200 Seventh Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Chef Nathan Rich of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and registered dietitians prepare heart-healthy meal. Cost: $18, includes dinner, recipes, nutritional information; must reserve by Thur.. Call (727) 820-7910.

Weeknight Gourmet: 6:30 p.m. Tues., Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Warm buckwheat duck salad, almond champagne sabayon on dinner menu; $35. Call (813) 926-4465 or go to publix.com/aprons/schools.

Tastes of Emerald Isle: noon-1 p.m. March 8, Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Chef Bil Mitchell of Apron's Cooking School prepares classic dishes from Ireland; free. Call (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

Couples Cook: 6:30-9 p.m. March 9, Rolling Pin, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Couples learn to cook shrimp, snapper, crab and fruit strudel in parchment; $45 each. Call (813) 653-2418, then press 3, to register.

Soup from Scratch: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 10, Chez Vous Cookin' Classes, Snell Arcade Building, 405 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Chef George leads interactive cooking class on making smooth, restaurant quality soups, includes samples and take home container of foods prepared, bring knives; $75. Call (727) 466-8620 or go to georgecooks.com.

Compiled by Peggy Anders of the Times. Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg

[Last modified February 27, 2007, 11:07:58]