Food File

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 25, 2007

SPECIAL EVENTS

July Beer Dinner: Fri.-Sat., Kelly's for Just About Anything, 319 Main St., Dunedin. Four-course dinner paired with distinctly styled beers. $35. (727) 736-5284.

Taste of Holland: noon-6 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sat., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Dutch cheese tasting includes Vlaskass, Beemster with mustard seed. Free. (727) 321-2400.

Ponte Italian Feast: 6:30 p.m. Tue., Ponte's Tuscan Grille, 2544 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. Italian cuisine pairs with wines from Mezzacorona from northern Italy's growing region; benefits Abilities Foundation. $75. (727) 538-7370, ext. 349.

WaZoo: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Lowry Park Zoo's annual fundraiser with sampling of beers from around the world, wine garden ($10 extra) and food from area restaurants. Also live entertainment. Benefits zoo programs. $65 online, $70 by phone and $75 at door; $20 for designated drivers. (813) 935-8552, ext. 276. www.lowryparkzoo.com.

COOKING CLASSES

Smoothies, Pastry, Spicy: Foodies, 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg:
- Kids' class makes smoothies, slushies, other fruity and frosty treats, 1-2 p.m. Sat. $12.
- Make cheese straws, palmiers, salmon in puff pastry, 6-8:30 p.m. Tue. $45.
- Grilled maple chipotle pork chops, smoked Gouda grits, chocolate jalapeno cake in South of the Border class, 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 2. $40.
Call (727) 209-1418 or go to www.foodies.net

Shrimp and Saffron: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Chef Dominique demonstrates shrimp with saffron rice and ratatouille. $35. (727) 596-6282.

Italian Classics: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue., Williams-Sonoma, International Plaza, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Pasta, polenta and prosciutto among Italian ingredients in classic dishes. $40. (813) 353-0700.

Happy Hour Hors d'Oeuvres: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Phyllo prawn fingers with wasabi, pesto olive pinwheels, more treats. $40. (813) 926-4465. publix.com/aprons/schools

Giuliano Hazan: 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 2, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Cookbook signing and Italian culinary demonstration with chef Giuliano Hazan. $50. (813) 653-2418. rollingpinonline.com.

WINE TASTINGS, CLASSES

Summer Whites: 5-8 p.m. Thur., VINO 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Taste crisp and light sauvignon blancs. Free. (727) 522-8466.

Wine & Fondue: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Melting Pot Restaurant, 13164 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Sample wines, including Folie a Deux, Nobilo, dip into cheese and chocolate fondues in tasting for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. $20. (813) 962-6936.

Then & Now: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wines, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Compare old world wines with new world varieties in sampling. $5. (727) 347-0743.

Best of the West: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Summer Passport wine tasting explores classic American west coast wines. $10. (813) 879-2931.

Wine, Bubblies and Beer: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. Sparkling wines, reds and whites from around the world, European and domestic beers. $15 advance, $20 at door. (813) 250-1967.

Flower Power Flavors: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Tarpon Springs Castle Winery, 320 E Tarpon Ave. Flower Power themed tasting with complimentary meal with purchase of wine (glass or bottle). $5.50-$7.50 per glass. (727) 943-7029.

French Wine, Dine & Learn: 7:30-9 p.m. Sat., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Explore Burgundy to Bordeaux in French Wine, Dine & Learn wine lesson with dinner. $35, advance registration required. (813) 250-1967.

Wine Basics: 6 p.m. Tue., A & L Fine Wines, 35249 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Wine class explores basics of wine tasting and trends. $10. (727) 781-4760.

Expanding Wine Horizons: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, ABC Fine Wines & Spirits, 23399 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. More than 70 wines to try, food pairing stations, hors d'oeuvres, whiskey and cigar sampling. $10. (727) 797-1210.

Benefit Wine Tasting: 6-8 p.m. Aug. 2, residence at 3613 S Beach Drive, Tampa. More than 60 wines plus cheeses and ham in tasting to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center. $25 single or $40 per couple. (813) 837-8941.

Food file is compiled by Peggy Anders. 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 July 23, 2007, 17:14:02]