TEX MEX Learn to prepare tasty tex mex recipes with Debby DeGraff. Free. Wed., Feb. 23. 7-8 p.m. & Thurs., Feb. 24. 10-11 a.m. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa (81-873-7428).
GREEK FEST Enjoy Greek food, dancing, music and fun for the children. $2. Thurs., Feb. 24. 4-10 p.m. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 328 N. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs (www.vervetampabay.com).
DESSERT TASTING Enjoy a tantalizing selection of desserts, live entertainment, auctions, and champagne, while benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. $50 for general admission/$75 for VIP. Thurs., Feb. 24. 6 p.m. Dew Cadillac Hummer, 3333 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg (www.cff.org)
CELEBRITY CHEF TOUR Join Chef Luke Palladino and Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi for hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and a five-course dinner open to the public. The tour benefits the James Beard Foundation. $150 per person. Fri., Feb. 25. 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., (813 313-3196 www.celebritycheftour.com).
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Come out and experience a culinary wonder at the Feast of Fantasy: a six-course gourmet feast. $50. Daily, 1 p.m. Then, meet the Queen at her Royal High Tea: a 4-course luncheon featuring scrumptious desserts. Daily, 3:30 p.m. (Both include entertainment.) Beginning Sat., Feb. 26. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI),11315 46th Ave. (Fowler Avenue and 46th Street), across the street from the USF Sundome. (800-601-4848 or www.renaissancefest.com).
FIESTA DAY This 58th annual street festival honors Cuban, German, Italian, African, Cuban, Jewish and Spanish cuisine. Free. Sat., Feb. 26. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Ybor City, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa (http://www.cc-events.org/fiestaday).
FLAN FEST 2005 Think you have the best flan recipe? Then enter it to be judged in Ybor City's annual Fiesta Day, a unique celebration of Latin heritage and culture. Recipes are now being accepted. Festivities begin Feb. 26 and include complimentary Cuban bread, Spanish bean soup and café con leche. Judging will take place Feb. 28 (813-241-2442).
HEART HEALTHY Lee and Marvin Silverstein will demonstrate delicious heart healthy cooking including garbanzo bean stir-fry, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese linguine, and spiced baked apples with a honey yogurt sauce. Free. Sat., Feb. 26. Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-443-6703 or www.naturesfoodpatch.com).
COOKING FOR ONE Chef Jessica Raia-Long will teach you to prepare an individual menu featuring pork tenderloin w/ an orange teriyaki glaze, turkey Paillard, and chocolate pots de créme. $50 includes a complete hands-on instruction and wine pairing. Tues., Mar. 1. 6:30. (Reservations required). The NoHo Bistro, 1912 N. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691 or [email protected]).
BISTRO COOKING Inspired by famous French Bistros, this class prepares cheese puffs, spinach in puff pastry, winter squash soup, celeriac remoulade, and rack of lamb persilade. $45.00 or two for $85.00 Thurs., Feb. 24. 6:30 P.M. to 9 P.M.
KICKED-UP STEAKHOUSE If you like steak house foods, this is the class for you: start a pre-set appetizer of crab stuffed mushrooms followed by surfside lobster bisque, grilled to perfection ribeye steaks or sea bass with a Ginger, and orange chocolate tart. $45.00 each or two for $85.00. Fri., Feb. 25. 6:30 P.M. to 9 P.M.
2005 BEST CHEF OF TAMPA BAY CONTEST This is quarter final round no. 1 of the Best Chef of Tampa Bay contest. Two chefs compete head-to-head preparing surprise ingredients. You eat all the food and vote for the winner. $50 (a portion of which goes to the Ruth Eckerd Hall Foundation). Tues., Mar. 1 7 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
APRON'S COOKING CLASSES Classes at Apron's require reservations and are located at Publix at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Hwy., Tampa (813-926-4465 or www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Tampa/Calendar.do):
FLASH IN THE PAN Chef Bill Mitchell will teach you to sauté like a true chef using the signature flip. This class covers great tips like deglazing and reducing. $40. Fri., Feb. 25. 6:30 p.m.
SMOKING LOON Wine expert, Michael Landis joins Chef Bill Mitchell for a night of wine pairing and cooking. Cook specialties from seared duck breast to roasted pears, while matching the perfect high-quality glass of red or white. $35. Sat., Feb. 26. 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT Chef Mike Grimes invites you to a Mexican-style demonstration. Learn to make corn and mozzarella arepas, pork empanadas, roast chicken and corn tamales, and coconut flan. $35. Mon., Feb. 28. 6:30 p.m.
Farmers Markets
YBOR CITY FRESH MARKET 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each Sat. Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street, Tampa (813-241-2442 or [email protected]).
SAFETY HARBOR FARMERS' MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m. each Thurs., until April. 200 Main St., Safety Harbor. Located downtown on the corner of Main Street & Bayshore Boulevard (Linda 727-726-6407 or [email protected]).
HYDE PARK FARMERS' MARKET 8 a.m.-1 p.m. each Sat., until April. Old Hyde Park Village, Tampa. Off Swann Avenue, in the fountain area (813-251-3500).
BRADENTON FARMERS' MARKET 8 a.m.-Noon each Sat., until April. 1515 .W. 10th Ave., Brandon. Corner of West Manatee Avenue and 15th Street W (Carol 941-748-5862).
DADE CITY FARMERS' MARKET 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Second Sat. of the month, until April. U.S. 301 & Meridian Ave, Dade City. Located in front of the old historic courthouse (Deborah 352-521-0744 or www.localharvest.com).
OLD PALM HARBOR FARMER'S MARKET 8 a.m.-1 each Fri., until Apr. 29. Rheba Sutton White Chapel/Harbor Hall Parking Lot, 1190 Georgia Ave., Located Between 11th & 12th Streets, one block south of Florida Avenue, in downtown Palm Harbor (727-934-7001 or [email protected]).
DOWNTOWN LARGO ORGANIC MARKET 8 a.m.-1 each Thurs. until May 26. Located on the South side of West Bay Drive between 5th and 6th Streets SW. (Anne Buck 727-518-8442).