Quick Casseroles are the topic for Chef Debby DeGraaff, who presents vegetarian cooking classes weekly. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 and 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31. Free.
Floribbean Cooking Demonstration Chef John cooks with a flavorful Florida twist: Fried conch fritters with orange horseradish dipping sauce, jasmine rice cakes over mixed greens with assorted vegetables and ginger honey vinaigrette, guava glazed grilled pork tenderloin, pan-fried zucchini, spicy soft polenta, raspberry apple cobbler with pecan streusel topping. 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070, www.lamaisongourmet.com. $39.50 per person.
Couples Gourmet Dinner Hands-On Class Chef John demonstrates how to do lobster bisque, endive, radicchio, apples and peppers with bleu cheese vinaigrette; Tuscan stuffed chicken breasts with basil cream sauce; potatoes au gratin; crispy asparagus; and raspberry creme brulee. 6:30-9 p.m., Friday, Feb.1, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070. www.lamaisongourmet.com. $49.50 per person, including a bottle of house wine for $10.
Free Kitchen Design Class If you are planning a new kitchen, learn about the latest trends in kitchen design from our design experts, including information on kitchen appliances, counter tops and cabinetry. Noon-1:30 p.m., La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-735-3070. www.lamaisongourmet.com. Saturday, Feb. 2, free with reservations.
Best Chef of Tampa Bay Contest This is the last of the preliminary round of the Best Chef of Tampa Bay contest. Two chefs compete head to head preparing surprise ingredients. You enjoy the results and vote for the winner. Our most popular event!! Contestants are Francois Samson from the new restaurant at the International Plaza, Profusion, versus Freddie Meyers from the famous Blue Gardenia Restaurant in Hyde Park 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070. www.lamaisongourmet.com. $50, a portion of which goes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Cooking Basic No. 3 Hands-on class designed for the beginning cook, this three-class series spotlights the basics of baking. Learn to make: Sun-dried tomato biscuits, seasonal fruit pie, baklava fingers with honey orange syrup and warm chocolate souffle. 6:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070. www.lamaisongourmet.com. $164.99 for three classes or $59.99 each.
Pasta Dinner Benedict Haven, a nonprofit home for the mentally ill, and the Knights of Columbus host a benefit in the form of the fourth annual Valentine Charity Auction & Pasta Dinner. Proceeds aid those suffering from chronic mental illness. Dinner includes salad, pasta, meatballs, beverage and dessert. Dinner, 6:30-7:30 p.m., auction, 7:30-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, Diffley Parish Hall, Holy Family Church, 200 78th Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg. Call Judy Turnbaugh at 727-527-2257 or 727-942-8140. $8.
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2002.