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Food File

A look at some of the local food and drink happenings.

By PEGGY ANDERS
Published March 14, 2007

SPECIAL EVENTS

Cheeses of Ireland: 2-5 p.m. Thur., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2902 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Try a variety of Irish cheeses to celebrate St. Patrick's Day; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

Folk Fair Flavors: 10 a.m.-10 p.m Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun., Vinoy Park, downtown St. Petersburg (Fifth Avenue NE and North Shore Drive). Try new ethnic culinary treats and traditions from around the world, new flavors include those from Haiti, Hmong (from Laos), plus music, dancing and costumes; $6 advance, $10 at gate, under 12 free. Call Ticketmaster at (727) 898-2100. Call (727) 552-1896 for more information.

Chilean Pairing: 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner Tues., Lincoln Heights Bistro, 603 Elm St., Safety Harbor. Chile's Cono Sur Winery pairs highly rated sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, cabernet and more with panko-crusted oysters, ribeye with blue cheese cream sauce; $60. Call (727) 726-4210 to register.

Mise en Place Wine Dinner: 6:30 p.m. March 22, Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. California winemaker August Briggs presents varieties to pair with five courses; $150. Call (813) 254-5373.

Tampa Bay Vegetarian Picnic: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24, Lake Seminole Park, pavilion No. 7, 10015 Park Blvd., Seminole. Tampa Bay Vegetarians invite guests to vegetarian family picnic. Bring vegetarian dish with ingredient list to feed 8 people; members free, $2 for nonmembers; reserve by March 21. Visit www.tampabayvegetarians.org or call (727) 432-3327.

Cane Spirits Festival: 7 p.m. VIP hour, 8-11 p.m. general admission March 24, Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba (14th Street and Palm Avenue). Ybor City. Cachacas from Brazil, rums and sugarcane-based spirits from around the world, culinary treats; $50 VIP, $25 general admission. Buy tickets at polishedpalate.com/events or call (813) 248-2954 for information only.

Wine tastings/classes

Argentina, Spring Tastes: Tastings, A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg, presents:

- Absolute Argentina tasting explores new wines from South America, 6-8 p.m. today; $10.

- Update wine cellar with new wines for spring, from refreshing whites to fruity reds, 6-8 p.m. March 21; $10.

Call (727) 894-2255.

Wines for Entertaining: 5-8 p.m. Thur., 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Find perfect wine for next party in sampling that includes: Poppy Hill cabernet, Omrah shiraz; free. Call (727) 522-8466.

Gathering of Grigios: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Compare light and refreshing Italian pinot grigio wines; $10, benefits Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf. Call (727) 892-9463.

Value Vintages: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Discover wines priced under $20 in tasting; $5. Call (727) 347-0743.

Chile and Italy: 1-5 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Explore sauvignon blanc, cabernet wines from Chile, plus Italian sparkling prosecco and sangiovese, paired with cheeses; free. Call (727) 321-2400.

Fiesta Friday: 5-9 p.m. Fri., Florida Estates Winery of St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N (1 mile west of Interstate 275), St. Petersburg. Sample winery's varieties including key lime wine, plus light snacks; $6. Call (727) 526-2113.

COOKING CLASSES

Elegant Appetizers, Perfect Pastry: Chef George leads three-hour interactive cooking lessons at Chez Vous Cooking Classes, Snell Arcade Building, 405 Central Ave., St. Petersburg:

- Elegant appetizers class creates dinner party starters, 10 a.m. Sat.; $75.

- Discover secrets to light and flaky pie crust in Perfect Pastry class, take home a pie, 10 a.m. March 24; $75.

Call (727) 466-8620 or go to georgecooks.com.

Organic Cooking With Herbs: 5:30-7 p.m. Tues., Integrity Organics at First Unity Church's Cafe, 469 45th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Organic cooking class on growing, harvesting and cooking with herbs; $25 or $35 per couple, includes take-home meal. Call (727) 209-0896 to register.

Making Fresh Pasta: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 22, Rolling Pin, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Learn to make and shape basic pasta doughs, recipes include ravioli with sage butter; $40. Call (813) 653-2418, then press 3, to register.

Food for Friends, Spanish Flavors: Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, presents:

- Impress friends with Teach Your Friends teen class' easy menu that includes barbecue chicken pot stickers, sushi, raspberry truffles, 6:30 p.m. Tues.; $25.

- Spanish cuisine class includes sherried onion soup with saffron, filet with blue cheese, 6:30 p.m. March 23; $40.

Call (813) 926-4465 or go to publix.com/aprons/schools.

Masterful Massimo Lesson: noon-3 p.m. March 24, Massimo's Eclectic Fine Dining, 31876 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Chef Massimo demonstrates preparation of lobster bisque, hazelnut-filled pork tenderloin, blueberry creme brulee; $75, includes wine tasting, food sampling. Call (727) 784-1881.

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 March 13, 2007, 12:30:19]