VEGGIE OF THE MONTH Chef Debby DeGraaff discusses in her vegetarian cooking classes how to prepare potatoes with fun and flair. Free. 10-11 a.m. Thu., March 13. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N.MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
ERIN GO BRAUGH Celebrate St. Paddy's Day with Chef Paul Mattison as he demonstrates how to prepare an Irish dish that would make a leprechaun dance. $40 per person, includes dinner, wine, dessert, recipes and cooking demonstration. 6:30 p.m. Mon., March 17. Mattison's American Bistro, 111 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg. Reservations requested. 727-895-2200 or 941-955-9868.
PASTRY PLEASURES Join Pastry Chef Daniel Delort and Chef Gui for a two-hour workshop each Tuesday in March, for beginners and advanced cooks alike, focusing on various aspects of pastry-making. $35 per person per class; take home your own pastry. Classes start at 1 p.m.: March 18 (pastry decoration) and March 25 (quiches and tarts). 3347 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. 727-789-8986. www.chefgui.com/otherevents.html.
MARKET MEANDER Chef Gui invites you to accompany him to an outing at a fresh market with friendly food enthusiasts. The chef shares his professional knowledge, answers questions, does mini demos, food talks, and provides tips and secrets. Free. 5:30 p.m. Tues., March 18, Clearwater Fresh Market, Clearwater, at U.S. 19 and Enterprise Boulevard. 727-515-4844. www.chefgui.com/otherevents.html.
PROFUSION DINNER Five-course fixed-price menu and wine tasting features Asian wok cooking, American grill cuisine, designer sushi and select Joseph Phelps wines. $65 per person. 7:01 p.m. Wed. March 19. Profusion, Tampa Bay, International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. Reservations requested; 813-353-8400.
CONCH CUISINE Chef Kim Miller and her culinary team present cooking techniques and tips about the "Conch Republic Key West Style." The demonstration is followed by a buffet dinner and wine pairing. $25 per person. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thu., March 20. Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor. 727-726-1161, Ext. 7825. www.safetyharborspa.com.
CHOCOLATE LOVERS UNITE Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with an evening of aphrodisiac foods, a fabulous four-course all-chocolate menu and afterward, a showing of the French film Chocolat. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fri., March 21. Viva La Frida Cafe y Galeria, 5901 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-231-9199.
BIG CATCH Oystercatchers hosts a cooking class featuring Chef Kenny Hunsberger. $50 per person. Noon Sat., March 22. Oystercatchers Restaurant, 2800 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. 813-207-6815.
This article appears in Mar 12-18, 2003.
