Wednesday, September 7: Bianchi's Enoteca
It's "Pasta Wednesday" at Bianchi's and that means they're serving up yet another pasta special. This week, get a dish of Bellwether Farms' ricotta and spinach penne and a glass of wine for $19.95. The catch: only 10 orders will be made and it's first come, first serve. 6-8 p.m. 3215 S MacDill Ave. Suite G, Tampa, 813-837-2233, bianchisenoteca.com
Thursday, September 8: Centre Club, Tampa
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet of locally-caught and sustainable seafood prepared by Executive Chef, Tim Small, including Florida lobster, oysters, scallops, Grouper, and Gulf shrimp. Proceeds to benefit Tampa Bay Watch, MDA's Augie's Quest and the Employee Partner Care Foundation. Call to RSVP. $45; 123 S Westshore Blvd. 8th Floor., Tampa, clubcorp.com/Clubs/Centre-Club, 813-286-4040
Thursday, September 8: Cru Cellars
Join Cru for a special "Italian Food Flight Night" featuring flavorful pairings of Italian fare prepared by In Bloom Catering and hand-selected Italian wines. Includes a 'flight' of food paired with a wine flight. Reservations required; email or call Jen to RSVP jen@crucellarstampa.com. $25; 6:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Thursday, September 8: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
Join Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits for a wine dinner featuring selections from Freemark Abbey, a premium producer in the Napa Valley that is celebrating its 125 year anniversary. Special guest Master Sommelier John Blazon will be joining the event and offering samples of 7 Freemark Abbey wines throughout the 6-course meal provided by SideBern’s. $125 (all-inclusive); 6:30-10 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Thursday, September 8: Total Wine & More – St Pete
Beer 101: This is what you didn't learn about beer while in school. Learn some interesting, good-to-know beer basics while tasting some not-so-basic beers. Class includes beer selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the beer presented in class. Class size limited; call to RSVP. $15; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N, St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Friday, September 9: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
Taste 20 of Fleming's 100 new bottles on the menu and nibble on tasty small plates every Friday evening in September. See a full list of wines on website. RSVP required. $25; 5:30 p.m. 4322 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com
Friday, September 9: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
At this Crush Hour tasting, sample wines from Concha y Toro vineyards of Chile. Taste the new 2007 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, hailed by Wine Spectator as the best Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, September 9: Cheese Please
Taste seven to eight new cheeses each week at Cheese Please's Friday night tastings. This week's features: "Smoking Hot"— hot and flavorful cheeses and condiments. RSVP required. $20; 7 p.m. 4213 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 813-766-0060, cheesepleasetampa.com
Friday, September 9: Vintage Wine Cellars
Sample 10 of Vintage's favorite wines and root for your favorite "team" at this week's tasting event. Fan gear is welcome for this raucous event, so rally up your fellow fans and bring your best game face. RSVP required; call or email tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $10; 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Friday, September 9: Whole Foods Market
Do you think eating healthy means giving up your favorite sweets, treats, and all things indulgent? Let WFM's Healthy Eating Specialist Curtis will show you how untrue that is when he demonstrates desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth but still keep you feeling energized and nourished. Register by the exit lobby or by emailing Curtis.Whitwam@wholefoods.com. Free; 7-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11: Whole Foods Market
Customer Appreciation Weekend: Whole Foods Market is dedicating this weekend to their wonderful shoppers, offering special deals in every department. Look for sale pricing on meat, seafood, cheese, fresh produce, as well as free gift bags for the first 100 customers each day, free samples and demos, free 5-minute massages from 1-4 p.m., Earth Box Gardening for kids, reusable bags exchange and much more. For more information, please contact Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (both days). 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11: Minnreg Hall, Largo
Are you a glutton for punishment or do you savor the spicier things in life? Then be sure to check out this year's "I Like It Hot Festival" to try more hot and spicy condiments than you could ever dream of. Taste and vote for your favorites in the amateur hot sauce and salsa competitions, listen to the live bands, and to further induce torture (on both contestants and onlookers), the jalapeno pepper eating contest is a must-see event. Saturday: 10 a.m.-5p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 for adult, kids 12 and under are free; free parking. Minnreg Hall- 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo, ilikeithotfestival.com
Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11: Park Square Cellar
Taste more than 100 wines and sample Park Square's bistro fare at the 6th Annual Fall Wine Fest. Attendees can purchase commemorative wine glasses for $15 or two for $25, and receive 15% off the purchase of 6 bottles or more. Free event; Sat. 1-5 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. 16132 Churchview Drive, Lithia, 813-689-4560, parksquarecellar.com
Saturday, September 10: The Fresh Market – St. Pete
Watch Fresh Market chefs prepare (and get to sample) Italian Style Sausage Hoagies with Italian Style Pasta Salad at this month's Fresh Flavors Cooking Demonstration. Free; 3-6 p.m. 2900 4th Street N, St. Pete, 727-822-4913, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, September 10: Nature's Food Patch
Learn about the health benefits of raw foods and see how to prepare raw, vegan Asian lettuce wraps and a berry creme parfait. Free; 3 p.m. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com
Saturday, September 10: Industrial Arts Center, Gulfport
It's going to get even hotter in Gulfport this weekend as the Industrial Arts Center's Third Annual Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff returns to see who makes the best chili in the Bay. Attendees can cast their votes for the Peoples Choice Award for $1 per vote. In addition to tasting some fabulous tastebud tingling chili, there will be live entertainment and door prizes throughout the evening. $9 for adults and $5 for kids; 6:30-9:30 p.m. 2902 A Beach Blvd., Gulfport, 727-289-9365, industrialartscenter.org
Tuesday, September 13: Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar – Carrollwood
The "Mod Med" restaurant and wine bar in Clearwater is opening a new location in Carrollwood this evening. They'll still be serving large and small plates of global cuisine and wines available in three-, six- and nine-ounce pours or by the bottle at this new location. But this spot will also have an interactive spin with iPads available to search their database of wines and food pairings. 5-10 p.m. 14306 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, carmelcafe.com
Tuesday, September 13: Carrollwood Cultural Center
For this month's Wine Passport tasting and educational series by Time for Wine, taste rich red Malbecs, refreshing white Torrontés and more offerings from the wine regions of Argentina. $25; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, 813-664-1430, ewinetaste.com
Tuesday, September 13: Whole Foods Market
As the head of the meat department at Whole Foods Market Tampa, former Executive Chef Mark Malowski knows his meat: from chicken to steak to buffalo. In this class, he’ll show walk you through the various types and cuts of meat to show you how you can prepare them at home and get the best flavor, texture, and juiciness in every bite. Register by the exit lobby or by emailing Maria.Gumina@wholefoods.com. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Tuesday, September 13: Dunedin Smokehouse
Enjoy some beer and killer food as the Dunedin Smokehouse hosts a Cigar City Brewing pairing dinner. Guests will enjoy a five-course meal with CCB beers, but it won't be your typical barbecue fare — Andouille beignets, Arctic Char, and lamb Merguez sausage are just a few offerings on the night's menu. Call to RSVP and for pricing. 7 p.m. 471 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-2BBQ, thedunedinsmokehouse.com
Thursday, September 15: The Ale and the Witch
The Ale and the Witch is kicking off the fall season with a night of Harpoon Brewing. They'll be featuring six draft selections from the Boston-based brewery, offering a flight of all six paired with a cheese plate from Mazzaro's Italian Market, and raffling off prizes every 15 minutes from 6-9 p.m. Live music begins at 9 p.m. with local guitar legends Rob Tyre and Kirk Adams. Free event; 6 p.m.-close. 111 2nd ave NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3, thealeandthewitch.com
This article appears in Sep 1-7, 2011.