PROVENCE OLIVE OIL TASTING Taste organic, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil from Provence, France, with Chef Gui. Free. 6 p.m., Wed., Nov. 20. West Palm Wines, 2009 N. 22nd St., Tampa. Reservations requested; call 813-241-8587. www.chefgui.com.
HOMECOOKED THANKSGIVING Chef Debby DeGraaff discusses holiday fare. Free. 7-8 p.m.,Wed., Nov. 20, and 10-11 a.m., Thu., Nov. 21, Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-873-7428.
BEAUJOLAIS BASH The French always seem to find a way to party and what better reason than when the new Beaujolais wines are released? Live it up at Cafe Largo with a fixed-price menu calling for hors d'oeuvres Bourguignon, creme of wild mushroom soup; as an entree, rainbow salmon trout with Gamay sauce or spring veal rack Wellington; spring mix and tarts for dessert. $58.50 per person, including wines, plus tax and tip. Thu.-Fri.-Sat., Nov. 21-23, Cafe Largo, 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. 727-596-6282; fax 727-596-6284. E-mail: [email protected].
BISTRO BLOWOUT Le Bouchon Bistro celebrates the new Beaujolais with a fixed-price menu featuring roasted red pepper potage, sauteed mahi and pink shrimp bisque, salad with basil vinaigrette, classic coq au vin and tarte au citron. $39.99 per person. 5-10:30 p.m., Thu.-Fri.-Sat., Nov. 21-23, Le Bouchon Bistro, 796 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs. 727-585-9777.
WINE & DINE IN DUNEDIN Sample escargot, grilled shrimp, spicy lamb curry and couscous; squash and green chile bisque; quail stuffed with Andouille sausage, smoked pork tenderloin and Alaskan white salmon, plus tiramisu for dessert. Wine with each course; Nouveau Beaujolais-Village from Buchard, Pere & Fils, and the Nouveau Beaujolais from Georges Budeouf. $45 per person. 5 p.m., Nov. 21-23. Kelly's For Just About...Anything!, 319 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-5284.
OUTDOOR FEST The Ybor City Market joins with the Main Street Quarterly Arts & Crafts Show, featuring 150 vendors and a variety of food items and wares, ranging from orchids, hot sauces and salad dressing to original sketches and freshly baked bread; not to mention the work of artisans and crafters who sell jewelry, wind chimes, fine art and many other items. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Nov. 23, and Sun., Nov. 24, rain or shine. Free parking, free admission. Centennial Park, Ninth Avenue and 19th Street, Tampa. 813-241-2442; fax 813-242-4010.
SUSHI RAMA Profusion Restaurant's top chefs demonstrate the fine art of sushi preparation. $60 per person, including sushi kit and all material needed for the class. Noon-2 p.m., Sat. Nov. 24. Profusion, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. 813-353-8400. www.profusion.us.
MASKED AIDS DINNER Set aside an evening for the 11th annual World AIDS Dinner, with its theme "A Masque For AIDS." The event includes dinner, dancing, silent auction and Mardi Gras-style entertainment. $90 per person, with proceeds earmarked to help infected clients of FACT, a nonprofit organization, pay for medical care. Cocktails, 6:30 p.m., dinner 8 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 333 First St. S., St. Petersburg. Reservations requested; call Anthony Barrois at 727-895-7910. www.the hospice.org.
OVER-THE-TOP WINE DINNER On the menu is Italian white wine soup, chestnut gnocchi truffles, seared sea scallops, roast lamb loin en croute a la Provencale, ending with warm chocolate tarts for dessert. The food is accompanied by Banfi Vintners' wines. $65 per person. 7:01 p.m., Wed., Nov. 20. Profusion, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. 813-353-8400.
INTERACTIVE TOUR OF THE FRESH MARKET Special Thanksgiving mission with Chef Gui. Go to the Fresh Market with a bunch of food enthusiasts and share the chef's extensive professional knowledge. Questions and answers, mini demos, food talks, tips and cooking secrets. Free. 5:30 p.m., Tue., Nov. 26, Clearwater Fresh Market, U.S. 19 and Enterprise Road. 727-515-4844 or www.chefgui.com.
TAMPA BAY CULINARY CLUB features Chef Stafford Parker, of Bellarte at the Radisson, during its December monthly meeting. $10 per person. Noon, Dec. 14, Bellarte at the Radisson, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg. Reservations requested; call Jeanne at 727-789-2605.
Below is a listing of classes and events that bolster your cuisine expertise and offer tasty experiences. If you have info you'd like to share with Planet readers, please write to Culinary Events, Weekly Planet, 1310 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa, FL 33603. Or e-mail [email protected].
