Food File

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 16, 2008

Special events

Merchants Wine Walk: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Broadway Shops, 714-737 Broadway , Dunedin. Tastings, treats, entertainment. Free. 727 738-8009.

Suncoast Chili Cookoff: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Tarpon Springs Boys & Girls Club, 111 W Lime St., Tarpon Springs. Culinary students, kids and adults compete to create best chili; other food vendors. Free; $2 to try chili creations. (727) 937-0320.

Taste of Safety Harbor: 6-9 p.m. Jan. 21, Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, 105 N Bayshore Drive. Sample culinary treats and menu favorites from bay area restaurants. $15 advance, $20 at door. (727) 726-2890.

Bayfront on Vine: 7-10 p.m. Sat., Bayfront Medical Plaza, 603 Seventh St. S, St. Petersburg. Bayfront Health Foundation benefit with gourmet food and wine tastings, martini bar. $150. (727) 893-6148.

Vegetarian Favorite: 7 p.m. Tue., Zom Hee Chinese Restaurant, 9015 Park Blvd., Largo. Tampa Bay Vegetarians' "Favorite Restaurant of 2007" dinner. Guests welcome. Register by Sat.;$10, plus $2 for nonmembers. (727) 432-3327 or (813) 269-4665. tampabayvegetarians.org

Citrus Lovers' Lunch: noon-1:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. "Citrus Experience Luncheon" shows off citrus in each course; talk on using citrus in recipes. Register by Mon.; $7. (727) 298-3299.

Wild Orange Pie Hike: 9-10:30 a.m. Jan. 24, Dunedin Nature Center, 1910 Ed Eckert Drive. Stroll through Hammock Park to pick your own wild oranges for pie (recipe provided). Free, but registration is required. (727) 298-3271.

Kumquat Growers Open House: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 25, Kumquat Growers Packing House, 31647 Gude Road, Dade City. Prefestival open house with grove tours, kumquat products for sale and sampling; talks on types and uses for the tart and sweet fruit by Roger Swain. Free. (352) 588-0544. kumquatgrowers.com

Kumquat Festival: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 26, downtown, along Meridian Ave., Dade City. Try kumquats in pies, jams, chutneys; plus car show, kumquat recipe contest winners, entertainment. Free; charge for food. (352) 567-3769.

Art, Wine & Food Fest: 6-10 p.m. Jan. 26, Hospice Business Center, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater. Pinellas Animal Foundation benefit features food, wine, art, silent auction, entertainment. $50, or $80 per couple VIP admission (begins at 6 p.m.); $25, or $40 per couple for general admission (begins 7 p.m.). (727) 710-7387.

Cooking classes

Spanish Cuisine & Culture: 6-7:30 p.m. today-Feb. 13, Castellano and Pizzo Italian Foods, 4200 S Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Beginner's Spanish class includes dinner. $185. (727) 866-6892.

Entertaining Appetizers: 6-8:30 p.m. Thur., Tarpon Springs residence. Chef Pat Dugan's cooking class makes little plates and appetizers. $50, includes dinner; address provided upon registration. (727) 485-8449.

Creative Cooking Series: 5:30-9 p.m. Tue., Manatee Technical Institute, 5603 34th St. W, Bradenton. Explore food trends, learn to make light and healthy cuisine. Topic this week: knife skills, kitchen cleanliness and cooking methods. $40; registration required. (941) 751-7900, ext. 2043.

Make Ahead Meals: 6-8 p.m. Tue., Williams-Sonoma at Westfield Citrus Park, 8066 Citrus Park Towne Center, Tampa. Save time by making meals in advance: cheese manicotti, penne with pancetta. $40. (813) 920-6939.

Emeril's Classics: 6:30-9 p.m. Tue., Foodies, 1235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Classic recipes from Emeril's New Orleans restaurant. $45. (727) 209-1418. www.foodies.net

Flavors of India: 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 24, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium, 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon. Authentic Indian cuisine class includes one-year subscription to Saveur magazine. $50. (813) 653-2418. rollingpinonline.com

Skybox Treats: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26, Apron's Cooking School at Publix Supermarket, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Over-the-top football party treats. $40. (813) 926-4465.

Healthy Habits: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 28, Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center, 1344 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. First of eight classes on nutrition and making healthy food choices. Free; registration required. (727) 582-2122.

Wine tastings, classes

Drink & De-Stress: 5-8 p.m. today, VINO 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Wines, hors d'oeuvres from Novo Restaurant, chair massage. Free. (727) 522-8466.

Bistro Italian Sampling: 6-8 p.m. Thur., Lincoln Heights Bistro, 603 Elm St., Safety Harbor. Chianti, cabernet and more pair with Italian-inspired dishes. $12. (727) 726-4210 to register.

Red, White & Tasted: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., American Spirits Fine Wine & Liquor, 280 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Taste new domestic and imported wines. Free. (727) 895-8700.

"Corks N' Forks": 5-8 p.m. Sat., WineStyles, 100 Main St., Safety Harbor. Sample treats from Dinner for You, paired with wines. $20. (727) 669-9463.

Wines of Australia: 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, VINO 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Class explores Australia's diverse wine production areas. $20, or $35 per couple, includes Pocket Guide to Australian Wines. (727) 522-8466.

Winter Wines & Beers: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 24, Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Warming red and white wines from around the world, plus German, Belgian beers, appetizers, entertainment. $10. (727) 736-4077.

Game Day Wines: 4-7 p.m. Jan. 25, VINO 100, 1038 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. Wines to serve with football party fare and snacks. Free. (813) 654-8466.

All Napa, All Cabs: 7 p.m. Jan. 25, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Sample silky cabernets from Napa Valley in seminar; includes Trefethen, Clos du Val. $25; registration required. (813) 879-2931.

Bubblies & Beers: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25, Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. Sparkling and still wines, both domestic and imported, plus eclectic beers and brews. $16 advance, $20 at door. (813) 250-1967.

Senior Sunday Wines: noon-5 p.m. Jan. 27, VINO 100, 1038 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. Senior Sunday sampling, with discount on purchase for tasters over age 60. Free. (813) 654-8466.

Markets

Produce Market at the Mustang: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Mustang Flea Market, 7901 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Large selection of Asian, Latin produce. Free; $1 parking. (727) 544-3066.

Largo Harvest Marketplace: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays, Ulmer Park, 301 West Bay Drive, Largo. Produce, herbs, spices, baked items. (727) 587-6740, ext. 5017.

Pinellas County Market in the Park: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Pinellas County Extension Service, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Prepared foods, produce, cooking demonstrations. (727) 582-2100.

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; e-mail to calendar@tampabay.com; or fax to (727) 892-2327.

[Last modified January 15, 2008, 11:51:16]