TASTE OF THE NFL Order Chef Marty Blitz's creation for the "Taste of the NFL," representing the nation's 32 NFL cities, and the proceeds go to Tampa's Divine Providence Food Bank. The special dish is an appetizer called "Seafood Cassoulet," and it costs $7.95. Jan. 14-25. Mise en Place Restaurant, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-254-5373.
TASTE TRIP Take a "Wine Safari," and capture the great taste of South African Varietals. Dinner is sponsored by National Distributing. $12 per person. 5- 7 p.m., Wed., Jan. 15. Mattison's, An American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg. Reservations requested; call 727-895-2200 or 941-955-9868.
ISLAND WAY GRILL hosts a winemaker dinner celebrating the 30th anniversary of Cakebread Cellars wines, and to benefit the Abilities Foundation charity. The dinner starts with grilled grouper cheeks, grilled Alaskan king crab, stone crab claws, pan-fried hazelnut soft shell crabs, raw and Vieux Carre oysters; it continues with Crystal River jumbo lump and ginger aioli; three kinds of finfish, fresh from the boat; Wind River lamb with oyster and shiitake risotto, lamb/Merlot reduction, and vegetables. Dessert is warm chocolate torte. $115 per person. Reception is at 6 p.m.; dinner, 8 p.m., Thu., Jan. 16. Island Way Grill, 20 Island Way, Clearwater. 727-461-6617.
THE STARS ARE RIGHT Enjoy an evening of musical chairs with the Zodiac Group, which is sponsoring a dinner at which seating will rotate with each course so you can meet new people throughout the night. All proceeds benefit the Salvador Dali Museum. $37.50 for members, $45, non-members; cash bar available. 6-9 p.m., Thu., Jan. 23. Mattison's Bistro, 111 Second Ave., N.E., St. Petersburg. 727-895-2200.
OYSTERCATCHERS CLASS Chef Kenny Hunsberger leads a cooking class. $50 per person, noon, Sat. Jan. 25, Oystercatchers Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. 813-207-6815.
CHEF'S WALK IN PARIS Join Chef Mark Jasko for a culinary trip through Paris featuring Brie, apple Framboise salad, fenneled duck breast, shallot and Dijon-coated rabbit with chanterelles, Champagne pears with chocolate cream, and various wines. The event celebrates the grand reopening of 8th Avenue Grille, Ybor City. $59 per person; reception, 7 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 29, 8th Avenue Grille, 1811 15th Ave., Tampa. 813-242-6616, fax 813-242-8514.
VAL'S DAY FEASTChef Debby DeGraaff discusses in her cooking classes how to prepare a simple romantic brunch. Free. 7-8 p.m., Wed., Feb. 5, and 10-11 a.m., Thu., Feb. 6. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2003.