Food File

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007

Special events

OktoBEERfest: 4 p.m. Thur.-Fri., noon Sat., Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. New fall brews, brats, live music, contests. $30 liter mug purchase required Thur., plus charge for beers and food. 727 736-0606.

Columbia Wine Dinners: Chilean wines complement Columbia menu items:

- 7 p.m. Thur., Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $75. (813) 248-4961.

- 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Columbia Restaurant, 1241 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. $75. (727) 596-8400. www.columbiarestaurant.com

Belly Burner Chili Contest: 2-3:30 p.m. Sat., Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Bring your favorite chili recipe for sampling and for a chance to win gift cards. No entry fee, but pregistration is required. (813) 653-2418.

Walt's Wine Dinner: 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Walt's Seasonal Cuisine, 1140 Main St., Dunedin. Five courses, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients, pair with Chatom Vineyard wines from California. $79.95. (727) 733-1909.

Wholesome Breads: 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E Lemon St. Tasting of whole wheat breads using different baking methods, plus homemade sandwich spreads at cookbook discussion group's meeting. Free. (727) 943-4922.

Soup's On: 11:45 a.m. Oct. 11, First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Bread and soup luncheon to raise hunger awareness; benefits St. Petersburg Free Clinic. By donation. (727) 821-1200, ext. 114.

Block Party Fest: 5-11 p.m. Oct. 12, Riverview Boys & Girls Club Future Site, 6819 Krycul Ave., Riverview. Resurrection Block Party and Fun Fest includes wine samplings of Keel & Curley Estate Winery, crafts, music, midway rides, food vendors. Free admission. (813) 677-2175.

Cooking classes

Sea Vegetable Salad: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Asian dishes using arame, a mineral-rich sea vegetable, are demonstrated. Free. (727) 443-6703.

Chef's Affair Cooking Class: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. Make pate and fresh pasta. $35. (727) 596-6282.

Halloween Treats: 6-8 p.m. Tue., Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Kids' class. $15 per child. (813) 920-6939 to register.

Basic Skills: 6:15-9 p.m. Oct. 10, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. First in series for beginning cooks. $45 per class. (813) 653-2418.

Asian Cuisine: noon-1 p.m. Oct. 11, Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Asian-inspired dishes demonstrated. Free. (727) 562-4970, ext. 5284.

Spicy Small Plates: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Hot & Spicy Appetizers class. $40. (813) 926-4465.

Wine tastings

French Bistro Flavors: 6-8 p.m. today, Lincoln Heights Bistro, 603 Elm St., Safety Harbor. French wines pair with bistro fare, reservations required. $12. (727) 726-4210.

Wines of the World: 5-8 p.m. Thur., VINO 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Spain, Argentina, France and Napa Valley among growing regions represented. Free. (727) 522-8466.

Completely Cabs: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wines, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Full-flavored cabernet and cabernet blends. $5. (727) 347-0743.

Kermit Lynch Crush Hour: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. French wines sampled. $25. (813) 250-9463.

Best of Boutiques: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. California boutique and small production wines. $16, registration required. (813) 250-1967.

Italian Pride: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Tarpon Springs Castle Winery, 320 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. Italian-themed party,entertainment; food complimentary with wine purchase. $5.50 and up per glass. (727) 943-7029.

Cheese and Chocolate: 1-4 p.m. Sat., Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Cheeses, chocolates and wine; registration required. $15. (813) 250-9463.

Bordeaux to Burgundy: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. French cuisine pairs with wines from Burgundy, Alsace, Bordeaux and more. $16, registration required. (813) 250-1967.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 10:03:03]