FOOD
Get Ole'd at This Singles Party Mingle with singles, sip a glass of wine or beer and watch Chef Bret demonstrate the preparation of Mexican specialties, like green chili and chicken quesadillas, goat cheese tostados with herbs and more. $25. 6 p.m. till whenever. Friday, June 15. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400 or www.homegourmet.cc.
Oystercatchers Cooking Class Oystercatchers is well known for its spectacular brunch and fresh seafood. Chef Thomas McKinney will share his techniques with you as he prepares a three-course menu, accompanied by champagne and beverages. $50. Reservations requested. Begins at noon, Saturday, June 16. Oystercatchers Restaurant, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. 813-281-9116.
Plan Your Summer Party Let Chef Bret teach you to prepare party-perfect summer fare from smoked chicken with white barbecue sauce to golden strawberry gratin. $34. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400 or www.homegourmet.cc.
Patio Barbecue Class Join Home Gourmet's chef on the patio and learn to prepare legendary barbecue, from ancho BBQ quail to Bourbon St. quesadillas stuffed with crawfish, andouille and smoked gouda with a five-pepper salsa. $30 includes recipes and food. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 16. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400 or www.homegourmet.cc.
Happy Hour Gets Fancy Every weekday afternoon is Happy Hour at Fancy's Specialty Market. Enjoy free tastings of wine and specialty foods in the store 3:30- 6:30 p.m. 1003 Fourth St. N., St. Pete. 727-894-5300.
WINE
Advanced Wine Seminar David Black of Bern's will take experienced wine drinkers on a taste tour of the best of the great 1997 California cabernet sauvignons. Learn to focus on the qualities of the wine itself, not the label. $75. Reservations required. 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13. Bern's Fine Wine and Spirits, Tampa. 813-250-9463.
Cline Wine Dinner Cilantro Grille and Cantina (formerly New City Bistro) will match the Rhone varietals that Cline is famous for with classic Mediterranean dishes. Don't miss this chance to taste some of California's best-crafted wines and some of Tampa's best food. $49.95, plus tax and tip. Tuesday, June 19. Aperitifs served 7 p.m.; dinner at 7:30 p.m. Reservations requested. 813-805-0250.
I Heard it Through the Grapevine Join the Wine Professor between 6 and 8 p.m. every Friday at The Grapevine at Westchase for a free tasting of wines from around the world. The Grapevine at Westchase, 12125 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. 813-818-9463.
This article appears in Jun 7-13, 2001.