Thanksgiving Desserts Something really special to finish your meal is featured by Chef Dawn in this class focusing on apple raisin honey bread pudding with maple cream sauce, macadamia fudge torte, gingerbread roll with sauteed apples and caramel cranberry nut tart. $39.50 per person, including light meal. 6:30-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070.
Harvest Wine Dinner celebrates the renaming of the Sutherland Cafe, now called eric's@sutherland New World Bistro. During the fifth annual event, attendees are treated to dishes prepared by Chef Eric like roasted butternut pear bisque, venison tournedoes with sweet potato risotto and pumpkin empanadas for dessert. $55 per person. 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, 1026 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-787-7734.
Ribfest 2001 is produced by the Northeast Exchange Club of St. Petersburg and includes ribs and music and fun for the whole family. $6 in advance, $10 at the door, children 12 and younger get in free; tickets available through various locations or at Ticketmaster, 813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100, or at ticketmaster.com. Proceeds go to All Children's Hospital, child abuse prevention programs, college scholarship and other charities. Gates open 11 a.m. daily, Friday, Nov. 9, Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11. Vinoy Park, between Fifth to Seventh avenues on Bayshore Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg. Contact [email protected].
Competing Chefs Come cheer on your favorite chef during the Best Chef of Tampa Bay Contest, fifth installment. Contestants Chef Chris Fernandez, of Red Mesa Restaurant vs. Chef Robert Masson, of the Polo lub; enjoy the results, and vote for the winner. A portion of the $50 per person fee goes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-3070.
A Turkey-Free T-day Chef Debby DeGraaff presents Thanksgiving 2001 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, and 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 15. Nature's Harvest, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
