Food file

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 6, 2000

INTERACTIVE SEAFARING DINNER: 6:30 p.m. today, Pattigeorge's restaurant, 4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Chef Tommy Klauber leads the way as each table chooses different "chef" among them for each course, and, under chef's direction, creates a three-course dinner tableside. This month's menu features a "seafaring feast" paired with wine. $85, includes Pattigeorge's apron. RSVP: (941) 383-5111.

"FLORIDA'S FINEST CHEFS" SERIES: 6:30 p.m. July 13, Michael's on East, 1212 East Ave. S in Midtown Plaza, Sarasota. "Florida's Finest Chefs" dinner and wine pairing series showcases guest chefs' culinary talents. This month's dinner features the Mediterranean style cuisine of chef Nick Morfogen of 32 East in Delray Beach. He previously worked at Le Cirque in New York and Tra Vigne in Napa Valley. $90. RSVP: (941) 365-0543, ext. 247.

PINOT MADNESS WINE DINNER: 6:30 p.m. today, Summerhouse restaurant, 6101 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key. Four-course dinner prepared by Chef Paul is paired with California-produced pinot noirs. $75. Call (941) 349-1100.

WHEN IN FRANCE: Celebrate Bastille Day July 14 in the traditional French style with joie de vivre and special dinners 5-10 p.m. at Cafe de France, 15225 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, (727) 392-8627, and 5-11 p.m. limited-seating serving at Chateau France restaurant, 136 Fourth Ave NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 894-7163.

Wine and beer tastings

ZINFANDELS, PETITE SYRAHS AND BLENDS: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon., Bern's Fine Wine and Spirits, 1002 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Ken Collura, Bern's head sommelier, answers everything you've always wanted to know about zinfandels, petite syrah and red wine blends in this weekly wine seminar. $25. To reserve, call (813) 250-9463.

WORK WEEK GRAND CRU "WINE DOWN': 6-9 p.m. Fri., Grand Cru Wine Cellar, 11724 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Weekly sampling of wines and beers accompanied by snacks. $10, includes $5 coupon toward wine purchase. (813) 269-8463.

BLACKSTONE'S TAPAS CAFE TASTING: 6-8 p.m. Wed., Blackstone's Tapas Cafe, 301 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. Sample a variety of wines and appetizers. Free. Call (727) 517-7778.

FINE WINE TASTING: 5-7 p.m. Fri., Pic-Pac Fine Wine and Spirits, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 347-0743.

PEPE'S TASTINGS: 6-8 p.m. Wed., Pepe's Fine Dining and Tapas, 3665 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. Weekly tasting of four wines and appetizers. Free. Call (727) 573-3363.

Cooking classes

EATING FOR ENERGY: 10-11 a.m. today, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Find out what foods fuel your body in class taught by vegetarian chef Debby DeGraaff. Free. Call (813) 873-7428.

DINNER FOR TWO CLASS: 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., Home Gourmet Kitchen Emporium, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Hands-on class for couples. Menu includes grilled scallops with raspberry chipotle glaze, a phyllo-wrapped, ricotta-stuffed chicken breast with flambeed bing cherries and a chocolate pate dessert. $40 per person. Call (727) 736-6400.

SUMMER SALADS: 11 a.m. Sat., Nature's Food Patch Natural Market, Deli and Cafe, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Free cooking class offers menu of lighter summer dishes, Debby DeGraaff presents such summer salads as roasted summer vegetables a la Provence. Call (727) 443-6703.

ULTIMATE STEAK AND POTATOES: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues., Margaret Ann's Catering, 5625 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Learn to prepare the ultimate steak and potatoes and what wines to pair with them at this dinner party class. Menu also includes fallen chocolate souffle cakes. $35. Call (727) 525-3983.

COOL AS A CUCUMBER: 7-8 p.m. Wed., 10-11 a.m. July 13, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Chef Debby DeGraaff shows how to prepare summer dishes using cucumbers in free vegetarian class. Call (813) 873-7428.

NEW COOKING BASICS: 6:30-9 p.m. Wed., Home Gourmet Kitchen Emporium, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Designed for the novice cook, hands-on class teaches the basics of cooking in a three-class series. This week's lesson is on the use and care of cutlery. Menu includes fresh spring rolls with cilantro-lime dipping sauce, chicken and smoked Gouda quesadillas. $149 for series. Call (727) 736-6400.

CHILL and GRILL AT EUPHEMIA HAYE: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wed., Euphemia Haye restaurant, 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Chef Raymond Arpke hosts summer lunch lesson and prepares an appetizer, entree and dessert, with luncheon and wine pairing following class. This month, Chill and Grill menu includes chicken with peach-chili-ginger chutney, saffron rice and apple walnut crumble pie. Enjoy a selection of riesling, shiraz/cabernet sauvignon and tawny port with lunch. $50. Limited seating. Prepaid reservations required. Call Karen: (941) 383-3633.

SUSHI, SHELLFISH AND CRUSTACEANS: 6:30 p.m. July 13, Summerhouse restaurant, 6101 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key. Summerhouse Cookery School Cooking Fundamentals summer series features hands-on cooking with ChefPaul Mattison. This month: sushi, shellfish and crustaceans. Limited class size. $95, includes wine. Call (941) 349-1100 or visit http://www.internationalcookery.com.

Cooking demonstrations

SUMMER SEAFOOD: 11:30 a.m. Wed., Summerhouse restaurant, 6101 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key. Enjoy lunch and wine at Summerhouse's Cookery School Summer Sessions demonstration class, this month presenting a summer seafood menu. $40. Call (941) 349-1100

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