Beer Festival Sample over 100 beers from over a dozen countries at the third annual 99 Bottles of Beer, Tampa's biggest beer festival. Includes artisanal cheeses, door prizes and live music. $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Grand Cru Wine Cellar, 11724 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa. 813-269-8463.
Advanced Skills Only Designed for grads of our previous classes, or for those with a strong knowledge of basic skills, Chef Dawn prepares smoked Parmesan with sun-dried tomato bread; spinach and ricotta gnocchi with ragu Bolognese; bleu cheese and fig-stuffed pork tenderloin, endive cannoli and tiramisu roule. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-733-8915. $45 per person.
Twist on a Holiday Menu features guest chef Chris Knowles, of the Sea Grill, demonstrating how to prepare roasted butternut squash soup with pancetta and pumpkin seed oil; arugula salad with roasted corn and red peppers and portobello with sherry vinaigrette; Chilean sea bass with cornbread coating; cranberries and candied sweet potatoes; ginger flat-cake with eggnog ice cream. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-733-8915. $39.50 per person.
New Year's Day Brunchies Join Chef John to learn how to make cranberry nut scones; fruit salad with citrus dressing; spinach and Brie quiche; scrambled egg and smoked salmon tartlettes; chicken and black-eyed pea salad, and mocha fudge squares. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-733-8915. $39.50 per person, including champagne and mimosas.
Holiday Dinner Menu Chef John demonstrates a holiday dinner of pear salad with raspberry cream; shellfish crepes in wine cheese sauce; orange cranberry glazed pork tenderloin; creamy mashed potatoes with caramelized onions; sauteed spinach and garlic; and apple crisps with lemon-scented cream. 6:30-9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-733-8915. $39.50 per person.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2001.