French Romantic is the theme of the vegetarian cooking class taught by chef and cookbook author Debby DeGraaff. Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., Feb. 13, and Thursday, 10-11 a.m., Feb. 14. Free. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
Valentine's Evening Dinner Party La Maison Gourmet transforms its new kitchen into an intimate fine dining setting. Rodney Strong Winery pairs wines with pheasant bisque with sherry cream, roasted pears over mesclun with a port wine vinaigrette, sorbet, choice of rack of lamb, coconut-crusted grouper, New York strip au poivre with Cognac cream sauce or breast of duck with a plum and green peppercorn sauce, potato Gruyere gratin, spinach red pepper timbale, cheese plate and chocolate profiteroles with espresso cream. 7-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14. $125 per couple, including wine with each course. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-3070, www.lamaisongourmet.com.
Have a Heart Dinner The Florida Voices for Animals' sponsors its ninth annual Have a Heart for the Animals vegan dinner, featuring live music by Jean Hart, a cash bar and silent auction, plus guest speaker Rick Bogle of the Primate Freedom Project. 6-9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17. $18 in advance, or $22 at the door. Trang Viet Cuisine Restaurant, 1524 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Reservations requested; call 813-969-3755.
Best Chef of Tampa Bay Contest The first of the quarter-final round, with two chefs competing, preparing dishes made from surprise ingredients. Participants taste the results and vote for the winner — Bill Schrems of St. Larry's in Palm Harbor or Massimo Patano of Armani's in Tampa. 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19. $50, a portion of which goes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-3070, www.lamaisongourmet.com
Eating Healthfully Licensed Nutritionist/Dietitian Kristin Hope shows how to modify gourmet recipes to reduce fat and calories while maintaining superb taste: coconut-crusted shrimp, cream of tomato dill soup, breaded chicken breast with prosciutto, mozzarella and roasted red peppers with sherry oregano cream sauce, spinach risotto with asiago stuffed in portobello mushroom caps and short cake with fresh fruit cinnamon syrup. 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21. $39.50. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-3070, www.lamaisongourmet.com.
