Wednesday, May 23: Carmel Café (Clearwater)
It will be a showdown of wines at this Napa vs. Sonoma wine dinner. The wines will be presented by a Court of Masters sommelier, and paired with specially selected items from Carmel’s Mod Med menu. Reservations are required by phone. $69.95 plus tax and gratuity; 6:30 – 8 p.m., 2548 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-724-4228, carmelcafe.com.
Thursday, May 24: Carmel Café (Tampa)
It will be a showdown of wines at this Napa vs. Sonoma wine dinner. The wines will be presented by a Court of Masters sommelier, and paired with specially selected items from Carmel’s Mod Med menu. Reservations are required by phone. $69.95 plus tax and gratuity; 6:30 – 8 p.m., 14306 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-265-1415, carmelcafe.com.
Thursday, May 24: Rollin’ Oats
Get healed and educated about the energy of food at this Heal Thyself with Energetics of Food cooking class. Paul and Cara Reynolds will show you how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and energy heal the body. R.S.V.P. by phone or in person in advance. Free; 6 – 7 p.m., 2842 Martin Luther King St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-821-6825, rollinoats.com.
Friday, May 25: Cory Avenue Food Truck Festival
Get your weekend off to a smokin’ start by heading to 4th Friday Food Truck Festival. Favorite trucks such as Mr. I Got ‘Em BBQ and Fat Tortillas will be parked, as well as six newcomers. Listen to tunes by Joel and Dakota Band in between bites. 5:30 — 9:30 p.m., free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com.
Friday, May 25: Tapping the Vine Fine Wine and Beer
Take the challenge; the Beer Tasting Challenge, that is. As a contestant, you’ll sip five 2-ounce or 3-ounce samples, and if you can guess the name of each beer, you’ll win a free beer. If you’re really beer-savvy, complete the challenge blindfolded, and win a six-pack. $6; 4 p.m., 737 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-330-7514, tappingthevine.com.
Friday, May 25: Vintage Wine Cellars
Get some royal treatment at this Kings of Cabernet tasting event. The wines you will taste are considered royalty in the Napa wine region and other regions around the world. Beef tenderloin and cheeses will be paired with the ten robust wines, such as Margaux “Alter Ego” of Bordeaux, France. Reservations can be made by phone or by emailing tastings@vintagewinecellars.net. $50; 7:30 – 9 p.m., 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net.
Friday, May 25: Whole Foods
If you want to create vegetarian items that are simple, yet as impressive as the fare at upscale restaurants, here is your chance to learn how. The items on the agenda will be a surprise, but don’t worry; it won’t be a bunch of lettuce leaves. Register in the exit lobby or email maria.gumina@wholefoods.com. Class will be in the café. Free; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com.
Friday, May 25: World of Beer (Tampa Palms)
Forget Frankie…Magner says relax at this Magner Says Relax Happy Hour. Simply buy a Magners draft, and be treated to a 10-minute massage. Once you’re all relaxed and happy, score a t-shirt and samples from the Magners girls. 4 – 7 p.m., 17004 Palm Pointe Drive, Tampa, 813-632-0020, tampapalms.wobusa.com.
Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26: Sweet Tomatoes Express
Check out the new mini-version of Sweet Tomatoes, at this pre-opening "funraiser" event. You'll have fun enjoying your meal, and will be raising funds for American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter, simultaneously. Your $5 donation will get you an Express meal with entree salad, premium salad topper, soup of choice and fountain beverage. All proceeds will go to American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter. $5; 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday; 2689 Gulf to Bay Dr., Clearwater, souplantation.com.
Saturday, May 26: Armed Forces History Museum
Honor disabled military veterans this Memorial Day weekend by attending the 23rd Annual Abilities Wine Festival. This has been declared the “best wine tasting” by CL and Tampa Bay Magazine, and has been going strong for so long that it’s been declared the longest-running and most prosperous wine tasting in Pinellas County. Since the intent is to honor disabled military veterans, the Armed Forces History Museum is the perfect destination for this charity event. Attendees can look forward to hundreds of wines, gourmet samples from local restaurants, an enormous silent auction, live entertainment, museum tour and free valet parking. Sponsors include Raymond James Financial and Bright House Networks. Tickets can be purchased on event website. $52; 6 – 9:30 p.m., 2050 34th Way N, Largo, 727-538-7370 x234 or 727-539-8371, abilitiesfoundation.com.
Saturday, May 26: Florida Estates Winery
Sample the winery’s offerings and mingle with their winemaker, at this Wine Festival. Enjoy live entertainment by Sam Osborne and vendors selling all kinds of goodies. The winery is pet friendly, so bring Fido along. Free admission and parking; $3.50 for wine tasting; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., 25241 State Road 52, Land O Lakes, 813-996-2113, floridaestateswines.com.
Saturday, May 26: Fresh Market
If you’re sweet on desserts, check out this Fresh Flavors Demo, offered on both sides of the bay. Grilled pound cake and chocolate berries will be prepared by chefs in a step-by-step cooking demo. Free; 3 – 6 p.m., 13147 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-964-8001; 2900 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-822-4913, freshmarket.com.
Sunday, May 27: Besa Grill
Get the 411 on wine at this Wine 101 class. You’ll learn the components of wine, how wine is made, how to store wine, which glasses to pour them into and more. Six wines will be tasted, such as Charles Smith Syrah “Boom Boom.” Tickets can be purchased on event website. $35; 3 – 5 p.m., 2542 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-600-6313, http://www.eventbee.com/event?eid=809796412.
Monday, May 28: Publix Apron’s
If you enjoy eggs morning, afternoon and evening, this Eggs-travaganza class will be eggcellent for you to attend. Roasted veggie hash with poached eggs, wild mushroom and gruyere soufflé, prosciutto and mozzarella crostini with roasted tomato aioli, smoked salmon and dill frittata and balsamic berries and sabayon sauce are on the agenda. $40; 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, 813-926-4465, publix.com/aprons.
Tuesday, May 29: Williams-Sonoma
If you’re a fan of Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, a.k.a. Ina Garten, don’t miss this Ina-Inspired Dinner class. Herb-marinated pork and mixed berry pavlova are on the agenda. Ina herself won’t be at the class, but she’ll certainly be there in spirit. Reservations are required. $50; 6 p.m., 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-353-0700, williams-sonoma.com.
This article appears in May 24-30, 2012.