Food File
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 26, 2007
Special events
Savoring Bourbon's Heritage: 6:30-10 p.m. Thur., Alfano's, 1702 Clearwater-Largo Road, Clearwater. Bourbon dinner pairs our country's "native spirit" with menu, benefits Muscular Dystrophy Association. $75. 727 937-5049.
OktoBEERfest: 4 p.m.-midnight Oct. 4-5; 2 p.m.-midnight Oct. 6, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. New fall brews, brats, live music, contests. $30 liter mug purchase required Oct. 4 only, charge for beers and food each night. (727) 736-0606.
Columbia Wine Dinner: 7 p.m. Oct. 4, Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Chilean wines complement menu items. $75. (813) 248-4961.
"Vintage Venture": 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 6; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. 27 N, Clermont. Annual celebration with wine tours and tastings, music, food for purchase. $2. (352) 394-8627, toll-free 1-800-768-9463.
Belly Burner Chili Contest: 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Bring your favorite "Belly Burning" chili recipe for sampling and for chance to win up to $200 in gift cards. No entry fee, but preregistration required. (813) 653-2418.
Cooking classes
Sauce and Soup Secrets: 6 p.m. Thur., Let Them Eat Cake, 3805 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Chef Jason shares secrets to elegant sauces and soups. $65, includes wine, food. (813) 480-5466.
One Dish Suppers: 6-8 p.m. Tue., Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Make quick and easy one-dish meals. $35. (813) 920-6939.
Fall Desserts: 6 p.m. Oct. 4, Apron's Cooking School, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Pumpkin bread pudding, banana pudding squares, other fall desserts. $35. (813) 926-4465.
Weekend Brunch: 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 4, Foodies, 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Kick off with mimosas, make easy brunch dishes. $40. (727) 209-1418.
Sea Vegetable Salad: 11 a.m. Oct. 6, Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Asian dishes using arame, a mineral-rich sea vegetable, are demonstrated. Free. (727) 443-6703.
Wine tastings, classes
South African Sampling: 6-7:30 p.m. today, VINO 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Class with eco-friendly wines produced in South Africa's "Cape Floral Kingdom"; registration required. $20, or $35 per couple. (727) 522-8466.
Benefit Wine Tasting: 6-8 p.m. Thur., residence at 3613 S Beach Drive , Tampa. More than 60 wines from Caymus to Swanson, plus appetizers; benefits Abilities Foundation. $25, or $40 per couple. (813) 837-8941.
Surf & Turf Tastes: 7-10 p.m. Thur., Harr's Surf and Turf Market, 3235 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. Hors d'oeuvres pair with wines in 20th anniversary celebration. $15. (727) 787-6758 or (727) 785-8873.
Wine & Gelato Pairings: 7-10 p.m. Thur., La Casa Dolce Italian Caf, 406 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Chai gelato, blueberry sorbet and more pair with wines. $10. (813) 259-0002.
Fall Wine Festival: 3-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Wine tastings, entertainment. Free. (727) 736-4077.
South African Discoveries: 4-7 p.m. Fri., VINO 100, 1038 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. South African chenin blanc to pinotage. Free. (813) 654-8466.
Calamity Collection: 5-8 p.m. Fri., Wine Warehouse, 5571 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Taste zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, others from Calamity wine collection. Free. (727) 527-7000.
Italian Crush: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Italian wines paired with cheeses. $25. (813) 250-9463.
Wide World of Cabs: 7 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Cabernet sauvignons from around the world. $25. (813) 879-2931.
Market Tasting: 7 p.m. Fri., Mazzaro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Wines paired with chef's creations. $25. (727) 321-2400, ext. 5.
Wine, Bubbly & Beers: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. Sparkling wines, reds and whites, beers from around the world. $16; advance registration required. (813) 250-1967.
Old Vs. New World: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Compare old versus new world wines. $5. Call (727) 347-0743.
South American Wines: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri. , Cappuccinos Bakery Cafe, 733 Broadway, Dunedin. Sample red and white Central and South American wines; $5. Call (727) 738-8009.
Perfect Match: 5-7 p.m. Sat., Tampa Wine Institute, 2009 N 22nd St. , Tampa. Match wines with food. $30; advance reservations required. (813) 241-8587.
Wine Appreciation: 6 p.m. Sat., A & L Fine Wines, 35249 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. Explore aromas, tastes in basic wine class. $10. (727) 781-4760.
Kermit Lynch Crush Hour: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 5, Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. French wines from Kermit Lynch. $25. (813) 250-9463.
Italian Pride: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6, Tarpon Springs Castle Winery, 320 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. Themed party, entertainment; food free with wine purchase. $5.50 and up per glass. (727) 943-7029.
Food file is compiled by Peggy Anders. Submit entries at least two weeks in advance to Food File, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, e-mail to: calendar@tampabay.com or fax: (727) 892-2327.