FOOD
It's All About Asparagus Vegetarian chef Debby DeGraaff teaches all about asparagus in this free cooking class. 10-11 a.m. Thursday, March 8. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
Free Barbecue Demonstration Learn to prepare smoked duck quesadillas with fresh fruit salsa, ginger-and-wasabi-marinated chicken and grilled veggies with aioli in this free class. 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 10, at The Big Green Egg, 3925 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Reservations requested. Call 813-875-3447.
Make Your Own Sushi A qualified Japanese chef teaches you the proper way to prepare sushi as well as Japanese egg drop soup and vegetable tempura. $45. 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
Eat Yourself Healthy A licensed nutritionist teaches you to reduce fat and calories while maintaining superb taste. Prepare dishes like coconut-crusted shrimp, stuffed chicken breast with sherry Oregon cream sauce, short cake with fresh fruit and cinnamon syrup and much more. $35. 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400 www.homegourmet.cc.
Ethnic Eating From Ireland Vegetarian chef Debby DeGraaff teaches this free cooking class. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, and again 10-11a.m. Thursday, March 15. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
Chef Eric Grills It Sutherland Cafe's chef Eric Webber teaches you to prepare some of his favorite meals on the grill, including lemon dill-basted salmon, cinnamon chipotle chicken and much more. $30. Includes recipes and food. 6:15-7:45 Thursday, March 15, Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
St. Pat's in The Kitchen Forget those crowded bars. Celebrate St. Patty's Day in a nice clean kitchen, sipping a glass of wine as you learn to prepare mixed veggie salad with Irish cream dressing, seared duck breast with apple cider cream sauce, roasted bliss potatoes with caramelized onions and more. $40. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 17. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
Sponsor the Feast McDonald Training Center holds its 25th Annual St. Joseph's Feast Day in honor of the patron saint of those in need. Features a free lunch of fish, spaghetti and sauce, and plenty of other Italian treats, on Monday, March 19, at HCC-Dale Mabry, across from Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. Sponsorships range from $250 to $1,000. Call Sue Smith or DeDe Grundle at 813-870-1300.
WINE
The End Is Near Celebrate the end of your workweek with a wine and cheese tasting 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Grand Cru Wine Cellar. $12 with a $5 coupon towards purchase. 11724 N. Dale Mabry, inside Main Street Shopping Center, Tampa. 813-269-8463. Vietnamese Wine Dinner Trang Viet Cuisine hosts an intriguing wine dinner of eight courses accompanied by Mont Gras wines. The wine maker will be available for discussions. $50 per person. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10. Trang Viet Cuisine, 1524 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-979-1464.Bern Your Tongue Join the wine experts at Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits for a tasting and class discussion of the wines of Oregon and Washington State. $30. 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, March 12, at SideBern's restaurant. By secured reservation only. Call Peter at 813-250-9463.
Football Widow's Revenge Did Mr. Couch Potato leave you sitting on the sidelines during Super Bowl? Get even. Attend an informal, for ladies only celebration of fine wine and superb cuisine created by executive chef Ralph Sitero of the Ashley Street Grille. Six courses, including smoked salmon terrine with caviar, porcini-dusted colossal scallops, whole Maine lobster roasted with truffle butter, Godiva chocolate tort and more, will be paired with rare and exclusive labels of Veuve Cliquot champagne. A Veuve Cliquot representative entertains with the history of champagne. $80 per lady, exclusive of tax and tip. 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Ashley Street Grille, inside Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, 200 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. Call 813-226-4400 to reserve.
