Thursday, November 5: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “food, cheese and dessert wine pairings.” E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)
Friday, November 6: Bern's Fine Wines and Spirits
Möet Hennessy Champagne Crush Hour. Evocative of holiday parties and hip-hop videos, Möet is one of the most recognizable and revered names in the spirit world. Tonight, get in the party mood and decide what you'll be poppin' to celebrate the New Year at this tasting of eight selections from the Möet Hennessy portfolio, expertly paired with five artisanal cheeses from Bern’s Cave du Fromage. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-253-0358)
Friday, November 6: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Weekly Wine Tasting. Guzzle the grapes of France and Argentina, with a spotlight on the Dona Paula and La Vieille Ferme wineries. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)
Saturday, November 7: Cajun Cafe on the Bayou
Craft Beer Fest. This fourth annual event offers an astounding 100 brews to taste, accompanied, of course, by Cajun food and a live jazz band. $30, $10 designated drivers. 4-8 p.m., 8101 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park (727-546-6732)
Saturday, November 7: Nature’s Food Patch
Autumn Harvest. Chef Debby Degraaff shows the class how to create succulent seasonal favorites like vegetable pot pie with a biscuit topping and cranberry orange parfait. Free. 11 a.m., 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-443-6703)
Saturday, November 7: Safety Harbor Main Street
Safety Harbor Wine Festival. Sample wines from all over the world for just $3 to $5 a glass, and enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of more than 40 arts and crafts vendors, live local jazz and blues on three stages and an array of cuisine from local eateries. Free. 5-11 p.m., Main Street, Safety Harbor (727-724-1572)
Saturday, November 7: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Saturday Sampler. Try warming Montepulcianos and Syrahs, and a California vino from winemaker Brian Page. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)
Monday, November 9: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Seafood Techniques. This three-week class offers an array of cuisine inspired by the harvest of the sea, including: (Week 1: bisques, chowders, and gumbos) crab and lobster bisque; shrimp and andouille gumbo; New England clam chowder; classic bouillabaisse. (Week 2: grilling, broiling, and steaming) jerk-grilled grouper with mango salsa; ancho-lime fish tacos; split grilled lobster tails with herb shallot butter; Thai-steamed mussels; broiled snapper Provencal. (Week 3: sauteeing, pan-frying, and deep-frying) seared scallop and arugula salad with warm pancetta vinaigrette; sofrito crab cakes with cumin aioli; coconut fried shrimp with apricot dipping sauce; sesame-encrusted tuna with Asian noodles. $150 for three classes. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Tuesday, November 10: Bern's Fine Wines and Spirits
Fontodi Wine Dinner. There's no better way to start the week than with an elegant wine dinner, and this one truly delivers with its selection of six wines from the Fontodi estate specially paired with six modern Mediterranean cuisine courses by SideBern's Chef extraordinaire, Chad Johnson. $125. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-253-0358)
Tuesday, November 10: American Spirits
Spanish Wines. Ben Carson of Ole Imports, which brings more than 100 Spanish wines stateside, offers a tasting of vinos from the Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Yecla regions. Free. 7-9 p.m., 280 Third St. S., St. Petersburg (727-895-8700)
Wednesday, November 11: Cork and Olive Carrollwood
Wine for Dummies. Learn the basic rules and etiquette of wine tasting and how to choose the right bottle for the occassion. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 10019 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-868-3733)
Monday, November 16: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Seafood Techniques. This three-week class offers an array of cuisine inspired by the harvest of the sea, including: (Week 1: bisques, chowders, and gumbos) crab and lobster bisque; shrimp and andouille gumbo; New England clam chowder; classic bouillabaisse. (Week 2: grilling, broiling, and steaming) jerk-grilled grouper with mango salsa; ancho-lime fish tacos; split grilled lobster tails with herb shallot butter; Thai-steamed mussels; broiled snapper Provencal. (Week 3: sauteeing, pan-frying, and deep-frying) seared scallop and arugula salad with warm pancetta vinaigrette; sofrito crab cakes with cumin aioli; coconut fried shrimp with apricot dipping sauce; sesame-encrusted tuna with Asian noodles. $150 for three classes. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Thursday, November 19: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “elements of terroir on wines.” E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)
Sunday, November 22: Gateway Organic Farm
Gateway Organic Farm Dinner. Some of the Bay Area’s most well-known chefs — Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill in St. Pete, Matt Tracy from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and Chris Knowles from Sea Sea Riders, to name a few — create a six-course charity dinner with food taken straight from the Clearwater farm and from other local producers. The chefs prepare and serve fresh organic vegetables, along with local and organic meat, fish, and wines in the Gateway Organic Farm garden. The chefs request that all attendees “Please bring your favorite dinner plate to add to the conversation as you dine with local farmers, artisan, and chefs.” A pre-dinner reception includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and a farm tour. Proceeds from the event benefit Edu-kitchen, which teaches families the benefits of community sustainable agriculture. Vegetarian dishes available — please ask. $150 per person or $250 per couple. 4 p.m., 6000 150th Ave. N., Clearwater, (727-244-0724)
Monday, November 23: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Seafood Techniques. This three-week class offers an array of cuisine inspired by the harvest of the sea, including: (Week 1: bisques, chowders, and gumbos) crab and lobster bisque; shrimp and andouille gumbo; New England clam chowder; classic bouillabaisse. (Week 2: grilling, broiling, and steaming) jerk-grilled grouper with mango salsa; ancho-lime fish tacos; split grilled lobster tails with herb shallot butter; Thai-steamed mussels; broiled snapper Provencal. (Week 3: sauteeing, pan-frying, and deep-frying) seared scallop and arugula salad with warm pancetta vinaigrette; sofrito crab cakes with cumin aioli; coconut fried shrimp with apricot dipping sauce; sesame-encrusted tuna with Asian noodles. $150 for three classes. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
