Thursday and Friday, January 13-14: The Rolling Pin
Meet and watch a cooking demonstration by Top Chef All-Star's own Tre Wilcox. He will be preparing some of his signature dishes during these two exclusive events. Register here. $100, 6:15 p.m. 2080 Badland Dr., Brandon. 813-653-2418; rollingpinonline.com
Friday-Monday, January 15-17: MOSI
MOSI will be hosting The Festival of Chocolate, a unique, educational and interactive event for all the senses. Besides being able to taste and purchase almost every form of chocolate known to man, participants will also get to watch demonstrations by award-winning pastry chefs, browse the Chocolate Museum and learn about the history and production of this sweet treat, as well as witness the “Best of” Chocolate Indulgence and chocolate showpiece competitions. A “Kids-4-Chocolate” workshop will let kids get creative (and provide a complimentary sugar high) with chocolate crafts, while the adults get to try out the chocolate and wine pairing sessions. There will also be chocolate classes that will teach participants the fine art of working with chocolate. Entrance is complimentary with paid admission to MOSI. See the official website for class and demonstration schedules and for more information. Friday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-987-6000, tampa.festivalofchocolate.com
Friday, January 14: Cru Cellars
Attend this weekly tasting at Cru where you'll get to try five different wines accompanied by an assortment of cheeses, then get a whole glass of your favorite. $15, 6-8 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-831-1117; crucellarstampa.com
Friday, January 14: World of Wines South Tampa
'A Taste of South Africa': Sample several superb South African wines from the Avontuur Estate, Bouchard Finlayson, Post House and Morgenhof Vineyards, paired with tasty hors d'oeuvres. $10, 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd, Tampa. 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.homestead.com
Friday, January 14: Vintage Wine Cellars
Come try some brand new wines that Vintage has to offer. Sample 3 whites, 6 reds and a rosé along with complimentary fresh bread and assorted cheeses to niblle on. Reservations suggested. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd, Tampa. 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, January 15: The Fresh Market Carrollwood
Learn how to prepare Smokey Shrimp and Sweet Potato Chowder from the chefs at your local Fresh Market's. Free event; 1-4 p.m. 13147 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-964-8001, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, January 15: Publix GreenWise Market
All Organics Tasting: From organic breads to produce, taste what's new in organics at GreenWise. Free event; 12-3 p.m. 2403 W. Azeele St., Tampa; 813-250-0129, publix.com/greenwise
Saturday, January 15: Pssghetti’s
If you're a fan of the reality cooking competition series Hell's Kitchen then this event is something you won't want to miss. Pssghetti’s Italian Market & Restaurant is hosting the Hell’s Kitchen Food and Fan Fest charity event for Eckerd Youth Alternatives, the largest children’s charity in the Tampa Bay area. Unfortunately, Gordon won't be in attendance to raise hell, but Chef Robert Hesse (season 5 fan favorite) will be there along with eleven other former Hell's Kitchen contestants from the past five seasons to sign autographs, meet their fans and help raise money for abused, neglected and at-risk children. The event will also feature features a four-course dinner prepared by Hell’s Kitchen chefs, a charity silent auction and raffle, and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the 11,000+ children served by Eckerd Youth Alternatives. Call to reserve your seats. $59.99 for adults, $19.99 for children under 12; seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. 26200 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, 727-797-9615.
Saturday, January 15: Taste Cafe
Help Taste Cafe celebrate their grand reopening. Samples, tastings and live music by The Way Back Machine, and more. Free; 7 p.m. 500 Main St. Suite E, Safety Harbor; 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com.
Wednesday, January 19: Publix Apron's Cooking School
Couple Cooking - A Night in Italy: Learn how to prepare Italian classics with your amore. Menu includes: Spaghetti alla Pomodoro; Involtini di Melanzane; Mussels Arrabbiata; Veal Saltimbocca; Limoncello and Tangerine Sorbet filled Oranges. Register here. $80 per couple; 6 p.m. 7835 Gunn Hwy, Tampa; 813-926-4465, publix.com/aprons/schools/Tampa
Wednesday, January 19: Clearwater Brew Garden
Do you like beer? How about free beer? Then head to the Clearwater Brew Garden for CL’s next Beer Club event. Blue Moon pints will be on special at the bar for $3. Check out the Beer Club site for more info and to sign up. 7-9 p.m. 904 N McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater. 317-752-7305. thebrewgarden.com
Thursday, January 20: Whole Foods Market
Join Erik Woody, WFM cheese expert, for a French cheese class and tasting. Erik will showcase fine cheeses hand crafted in France. Learn the unique characteristics of these all-natural cheeses, and how to incorporate them into your favorite holiday appetizers and desserts. This class is limited to 30 people. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free event; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435; wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/tampa
Thursday, January 20: Total Wine & More St. Pete
Sensational Sonoma Selections: This tasting includes a tour of the famous appellations within California's Sonoma County. Sample Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the much-touted Russian River Valley, Zinfandel from Dry Creek and the soft lush style of Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the Alexander Valley. $25; 6:30-8:30 pm. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018; totalwine.com
Friday, January 21: Bella Vino Wine Bar
Winter Reds: Sample premium new wines from Italy, small production bottles from California and more. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and artisan cheeses served. Please RSVP by January 19th. $15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 100 Indian Rocks Rd., Belleair Bluffs. 727-584-5552, bellavinowinemarket.com
Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar
Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday- $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com
Mondays: Peabody's
Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. 727-502-5002
Tuesdays: Beak's Old Florida
Get 25% off Palm Plate entrees of steaks, pork and choice seafood dishes for "T-Bone Tuesdays" at Beak's (dine in only). 2451 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-321-9100
Tuesdays: MacDinton's
Specials from 7-close, including: $2 Sam Adams Seasonal drafts, $2.50 Smirnoff vodkas, and $4 Smirnoff shots, and $3 build-your-own-burger. And free karaoke makes this night even better. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 South Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8999; macdintons.com
Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)
Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you'll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com
Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery
Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com
Tampa Bay Fresh Markets: Click here to see a list of weekly markets in Tampa Bay.
Photo: Don LaVange via Wikimedia Commons.
