FOOD
The Last Sunday Brunch Globe Coffee Lounge serves brunch the last Sunday of each month. Join them from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, for an a la carte menu of raspberry tiramisu, banana-blueberry waffles, sashimi tuna and more. Complimentary mimosas after 1 p.m. 532 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-898-5282.
Get Egg-cited About Easter You'll be eggceptionally eggcited to work with Chef Andrea Roberts, proprietor of Delicious Desserts in Dunedin, making nostalgic, semisweet chocolate Easter eggs filled with a creamy "yolk" center and decorated with royal icing blossoms. $45. 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 27. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
Be Dazzled By Brett Sit back and relax while Chef Bret demonstrates the preparation of some of his favorite dishes. Taste his cashew-crusted chicken over mixed greens with tomatoes and creamy herb dressing, fried oyster with Key lime dipping sauce, herb crusted lamb en croute with wild mushroom demi-glace and much more. $35. Wednesday, March 28. Call for times and reservations. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin 727-736-6400 www.homegourmet.cc.
Debby DeGraaff Is Nuts Yes, vegetarian chef Debby DeGraaff is nuts for nutrition. Attend her free cooking class and learn a variety of ways nuts can add nutrition to your own diet. Free. 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, and 10-11 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
Great On The Grill Chef Eric Webber (Weekly Planet's Best of the Bay 2000 winner) teaches you to prepare some of his favorite grilled dishes, like grilled jerked grouper with Key lime mango jam, honey-grilled sweet potatoes and gorgonzola-stuffed filet mignon and grilled portobello mushrooms. $30. Includes recipes and food. 6:15-7:45 p.m. Thursday, March 29. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
If You Made Sushi Like I Make Sushi … and you can, when you attend this class with a qualified Japanese sushi chef who teaches you to prepare tuna, carrot and scallion sushi, stuffed bean curd sushi, chicken teriyaki, green salad with ginger dressing and more. $45. 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 30. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
Festival for Fausto It was a sad day when cancer stilled the operatic voice of Fausto Chiappinelli, Clearwater's Singing Chef. Now, people who remember the man with the big voice and bigger heart are invited to attend a two-day tribute and fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society at Royalty Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. The first opera performance takes place 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 30, and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Features professional tenors performing various arias. Afterward, the late chef/performer's wife, Loretta Mirelli, invites you to dine next door at Cafe Concerto. Call the Royalty Theater at 727-441-8868 for cost and schedule information.
Two Chefs, No Waiting You'll be seeing double as you work with two chefs who'll teach you how to prepare Asian vegetable salad with crispy wontons and toasted sesame ginger dressing, duck with raspberry demi-glace, crispy asparagus and more. $35. Saturday, March 31. Call for times and reservations. Home Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-6400. www.homegourmet.cc.
WINE
Que Syrah, Syrah Join the wine experts at Bern's for a tasty and informative class about the syrahs of the world: Australia, California and France. $30 per person. Monday, March 26, at SideBern's restaurant in Tampa. Reservations are required. Call Peter at 813-250-9463.
Grab Your Glass It's time for the fourth annual Wine Festival at Westchase Square. Taste more than 60 wines, with many higher-tier labels, and food from chef Ron Debonis of Luna Di Mare, the Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel's restaurant. $20 in advance (two for $35) or $25 at the door. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 24. The Grapevine at Westchase, 12125 W. Linebaugh Ave., in Tampa, at 813-818-WINE or surf to www.grapevinewestchase.com.
The Wines Of France Taste compare and demystify the great wine producing regions of France in this "wine novice" class at classy Wines By Morrell Florida. $30. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 29. 2009 N. 22nd St., Tampa. Call 813-241-8587.
This article appears in Mar 22-28, 2001.