Wednesday, January 4: J.F. Kicks
Give your brain a workout and enjoy a brew at JF Kicks' Pub Trivia event. Play alone or as a team. 7p.m., 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico, 813-643-7777, jfkicks.com
Wednesday, January 4: Joe Chillura Courthouse Square
Check out Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta, a gathering of mobile kitchens. Taco Bus, Wicked 'Wiches and Killer Samich Truck are among the expected food trucks. Free admission, charge for food and drink, 11a.m., Kennedy Boulevard and Morgan Street, Tampa, 813-276-2536, tastingtampa.com
Wednesday, January 4: Publix Apron's Cooking School
Instead of takeout, prepare a quick, easy, guilt-free dinner at Publix Apron's Cook Your Way Thin class. Menu includes Chicken Fettucine Alfredo and Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. $40, 6p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, 813- 926-4465, publix.com/aprons/schools
Friday, January 6: BergHOFF Culinary Center
Learn healthy cooking techniques from chefs at BergHOFF's New Year's Resolution Diet class. Prepare Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers, Pancetta-wrapped Chicken, Bourbon-brined Chicken and other recipes packed with flavor that encourage you to keep your healthy eating resolutions. $45, 12p.m, 11063 SR 54, Odessa, 727-853-3373, icookALOT.com
Friday, January 6: Lou's Wine Garden
Kick off your weekend with Lou's Wine Garden Tastes, featuring a selection of French and Italian wines. Lou's Wine Garden's weekly tastings offer a different selection of wines gathered from around the world. $6, 6p.m., 7800 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, 727-367-1921, floristsaintpetebeach.com
Friday-Saturday, January 6 - 7: Total Wine and More
Taste a variety of whiskeys, courtesy of Winter Park Distilling Company, the first genuine artisanal distillery in metro Orlando. Featuring Bear Gully Corn Whiskey, Bear Gully Reserve Whiskey and Genius fine Vodka. In Clearwater on Friday, January 6 from 3p.m. to 6p.m., 2528 State Road 580, Clearwater, 727-431-1010. In Tampa on Saturday, January 7 from 3p.m. to 6p.m., 1720 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-350-9601, totalwine.com
Saturday, January 7: Culinary Classroom
Learn healthy cooking techniques and shed holiday pounds at Chef Eileen Morris's Fit, Fast and Fabulous: Light Gourmet class. Whip up a three-course meal in no time at this limited seating event. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot. $40, 6:30p.m., 625 North Mayo Street, Crystal Beach, 727-787-3663, icustomcuisine.com
Saturday, January 7: Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium
Join Chef Barbara Pugliese as she brings her Passion for Paninis to you. These Italian pressed and toasted sandwiches are loaded with sumptuous fillings, and can be sophisticated or simple, savory or sweet. Call now to reserve your spot. $40, 11 a.m., 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon, 813-653-2418, rollingpinonline.com
Saturday, January 7: Seventh Sun Brewing Company
Seventh Sun Brewing Company will open its doors on January 7 with a launch party. The first pour will be for the local charity, Homeless Emergency Project (HEP). After ten days of bidding on eBay, the final amount raised was $202.50. The winning beer will be poured to kick off Seventh Sun's official launch. Dunedin's Olde Bay Cafe; and Wicked 'Wiches will serve a smattering of seafood, smoked meat and sandwiches. Local bluegrass band, the Crackerbillys, will perform. 2p.m., 1012 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-733-3013, beernews.org
Saturday, January 7: Tarpon Springs Castle Winery
Banish holiday stress and relax in the garden courtyard at Tarpon Springs Castle Wine Party. Try handcrafted, additive-free wines, with accompanying catered buffet and live entertainment in this themed wine party. Food complimentary with glass of wine, starting at $6.50. 11a.m., 320 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, 727-943-7029, tscwinery.com
Sunday, January 8: Phat Phap Temple
Get a taste of the herbivore lifestyle and enjoy a variety of vegetarian dishes at the annual Vegetarian Food Fest. Free admission, charge for food and drink, 9a.m., 1770 62nd Avenue N, St. Petersburg, 727-520-9209, phatphaptemple.net
Sunday-Monday, January 8-9: Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium
Bravo's Top Chef All-Star and Top Chef Healthy Choice competitor Tre Wilcox brings his skills to Rolling Pin as he creates signature dishes. Menu includes Crab Stuffed Scallops, Grilled Flat-iron Steak and Pan-seared Snapper with Yellow Curry Sauce. $100 per person, beer, wine or beverage included, 2p.m on Sunday, 6:15pm on Monday. 2080 Badlands Drive, Brandon, 813-653-2418, rollingpinonline.com
Monday, January 9: Cafe Largo
Expand your international cuisine repertoire at Cafe Largo's French Cuisine class. Chef Dominique Christini will prepare classic French dishes, along with pain de champagne, one of the best breads in Tampa Bay (the other located at Pane Rustica in Tampa). $37.50, 6:30p.m., 12551 Indian Rocks Road # 18, Largo, 727-596-6282, cafelargorestaurant.com
Monday, January 9: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
Enjoy delicacies from Safety Harbor Chamber's finest restaurants at Taste of Safety Harbor. Dine, dance and partake in the silent auction. $25 in advance, or $30 at the door, 5:30pm-9p.m, 105 North Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor. Call Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce for further details, 727-726-2890, safetyharborchamber.com
Tuesday, January 10: Cru Cellars
Kick off 2012 on a literary note at Cru Cellar’s Wine and Words meeting, with the Cru Book Club. The book to be discussed is The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Email Jen at [email protected] to RSVP, 6:30p.m. to 9:30p.m., 2506 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
