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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 5, 2001
Special events and food tastings
"AN ORANGE IN YOUR STOCKING": 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Florida Botanical Gardens, 121275 125th St. N, Largo. Free citrus festival. Learn about different varieties and the history of citrus in Florida; Nan Jensen, registered dietitian, demonstrates ways to add citrus fruits and juices into holiday menus; plus demonstrations on making jams, jellies and other recipes; citrus trees and fruit for sale. Call (727) 582-2100.
CELEBRATING A PROFUSION OF FLAVORS: Profusion grand opening, International Plaza, Tampa. Fixed price menu includes shrimp pad Thai, grilled salmon with lemon and mint confit, goat cheese gratin on pan-fried potato cilantro cake, glass of champagne and wine and is available for lunch or dinner Fri.-Sun.: $29.88. Call (813) 353-8400.
"CREATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE" BENEFIT: American Red Cross' annual fundraiser provides candies, basic trimmings and gingerbread houses ready to decorate and take home; judging and prizes for best-embellished creation: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thur., Don CeSar Resort and Spa, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach ($75); 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Hyatt Regency, 2 Tampa City Center ($50, $45 for kids 12-17); and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N Bayshore Drive ($35, $25 for kids 12-17). Call toll-free 1-877-741-1444 for information.
HEALTHY HOLIDAY EATING: noon-3 p.m. Dec. 15, Wellness Center, 1327 Ninth St. S, St. Petersburg. Open house shows how to plan healthy meals during the coming weeks with cooking demonstrations, recipes and hints on preparing healthier versions of traditional holiday favorites, plus food samples of alternatives to try, presented by the African People's Education and Defense Fund: free. Call (727) 821-2437.
ABC TASTING: 5-7 p.m. Thur., ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, 6398 Ninth St. N, St. Petersburg. "Neighborhood" tasting of 12 wines with hors d'oeuvres: $2. Call (727) 527-1579.
HOLIDAY TOAST AND STROLL: 6-9 p.m. Thur., along Palm Ave., downtown Sarasota. Wine tasting and shopping during annual "Holiday Toast on Palm Avenue": $10 for tasting, benefits children's charities. Call (941) 388-4535.
GO ORGANIC: 4-8 p.m. Fri., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Choose an organic wine to accom pany a special dinner or to give as a giftat tasting of 20 wines and champagnes, plus samples of vegetarian and nonvegetarian party platters: free. Call (813) 873-7428.
PIC PAC CHAMPAGNE TASTING: 5-7:30 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wine and Spirits, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Third annual champagne tasting. Cost: $5, benefits Abilities Foundation. Call (727) 347-0743.
MURIELLE'S LATEST: 1-4 p.m. Sat., Murielle Winery, 13131 56th Court, Suite 305, Clearwater. Florida winery tasting. Free, but reservations required. Call (727) 561-0336 or visit www.muriellewinery.com.
CHAMPAGNE AND PORT EXTRAVAGANZA: 6 p.m. Sat., A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Annual holiday tasting features five champagnes and two ports, plus accompaniments and live jazz: $30. Call (727) 895-1623.
CHAMPAGNES AND DESSERT WINES: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13, Westchase Golf Club, 11602 Westchase Golf Drive (off Linebaugh Avenue), Tampa. The Grapevine at Westchase offers champagnes, sparkling and sweeter dessert wines for tasting: $30, includes discount on wine purchase. Call (813) 818-9463.
HOLIDAY SPARKLERS: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 14, Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. "Champagne Celebration" tasting of sparkling wines and champagnes: $10. Call (727) 892-9463.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES: 7-8 p.m. today, 10-11 a.m. Thur., Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Bake a variety of Christmas cookies in this free class. Call (813) 873-7428.
APRONS LESSONS: Aprons Cooking School at Publix Supermarket Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Classes include cooking with garlic, 6:30 p.m. Fri., $30; a culinary tour of Asian flavors, 4 p.m. Sun., $30; and visit from SideBern's and Bern's Steak House chef Jeannie Pierola with a focus on global dining, 6:30 p.m. Tues., $40. Call (813) 926-4465 to register.
ARMANI MENU CLASS: noon Sat., Armani's (atop Hyatt Regency Westshore), 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa. Chef prepares favorites from the Armani menu: $60, inclusive. Limited seating; call (813) 207-6800.
GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 12, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Make treats to give as gifts in hands-on class: cranberry port relish, ginger cream caramels, honey pear jam: $39.50 (includes light meal). Call (727) 736-3070.
FESTIVE APPETIZERS: 7-8 p.m. Dec. 12, 10-11 a.m. Dec. 13, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa. Free cooking class makes vegetarianappetizers for holiday parties. Call (813) 873-7428.
HOLIDAY DESSERTS: 7-9 p.m. Tues., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Make simple but elegant desserts: mocha ganache in phyllo cups, napoleons, canoli, cranberry sour cherry tart: $35 (includes light meal). Call (727) 736-3070.
FOND FOOD MEMORIES: Share your favorite memories of family celebrations and gatherings and the dessert that accompanied them in Nestle's "Share the Very Best" contest. First prize is $5,000, and second prizes are $1,000. Send original recipe using Nestle Toll House Morsels, Baking Bars, Baking Cocoa or other products, a paragraph (100 words or less) describing its origins and what it means to you and your family, and name, address and phone number to: Nestle Toll House "Share the Very Best" Contest, P.O. Box 19297, Seattle, WA 98109-1297, or enter online at www.verybestbaking.com by Dec. 31
- Send news of coming events at least two weeks in advance of the publication date to Food File, the St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.