RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Come out and experience a culinary wonder at the Feast of Fantasy: a six-course gourmet feast. $50. Daily at 1 p.m. Then, meet the Queen at her Royal High Tea: a 4-course luncheon featuring scrumptious desserts. Daily at 3:30 p.m. (Both include entertainment.) Until April 10. 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).
ALMOND LOVERS Learn to make several original recipes using Almonds with Debby DeGraff. Free. Wed., March 2. 7-8 p.m. & Thurs., Mar. 3. 10-11 a.m. Nature's Harvest Market, 1021 N MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-873-7428).
STRAWBERRY CENTRAL The 70th annual Strawberry Festival is back! Guests can enjoy live music, rides, and most importantly, strawberries. Contests included strawberry stemming, shortcake eating, and several more. Gate Admission $9. Begins Thurs., March 3, 10 a.m. 2202 W. Reynolds St., Plant City (813-752-9194 or flstrawberryfestival.com).
TASTE OF INDIA Join Debbie Degraff as she teaches you to expand your culinary horizons. Learn how to make authentic Indian spice blends as well as traditional dishes. Free. Sat., March 5. 11 a.m. Nature's Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-443-6703 or www.naturesfoodpatch.com).
BREAKFAST WITH THE BUNNY Join us for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny including Danish, sausage, scrambled eggs, French toast, juice and coffee, as well as a special Easter gift. You can also register to win a life-size Easter Bunny and basket. $5 per person. Sat., March 5. 8:30 a.m. Castaldi's Market & Grill, Citrus Park Town Center-Westfield Shoppingtown (813-926-4644).
SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL This event will include great seafood, fine arts & crafts, and live music. $2 adults, children 12 and under free. Sat., March 5 and Sun., March 6. Noon-9 p.m. Friday and noon-7:30 p.m. on Saturday. 105 N. Bayshore Drive, downtown Safety Harbor (727-726-2890).
WEEKNIGHT DINNER There's no reason why weeknight dinner should be boring. Chefs Jurgen Gross and Jim Snyder will teach you to prepare an elegant meal of beef and/or lamb in little time. $35 each, or 6 classes for $175. Sun., March 6. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Williams Sonoma, 8066 Citrus Park Town Center-Westfield Shoppingtown (813-920-6939).
SURREAL BRUNCH Waterfalls of mimosas, rivers of bloody Marys, and eggs on a plate without the plate. Please join the Zodiac group for a delicious brunch, live acoustic music, and visual entertainment. Your best pajamas, comfortable slippers, and a plush robe are encouraged. Advance: $20 for Zodiac members, $25 for non-members. Day of: $30/$35. Sun., March 6. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 3rd St. S., Saint Petersburg (727-823-3767).
CHOCOLATE CRAZIES Join premier pastry chef Michael Baugh, make fabulous dessert creations you take home, and nibble on hors d'oeuvres while you learn. $40 per person. Baking 101: 5-8 p.m. each Tues. Chocolate Sculpture 101: 5-8 p.m. each Wed. 3805 S. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-837-6888 or www.chocolateismycrayon.com).
APRON'S COOKING CLASSES Classes at Apron's require reservations and are located at Publix at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465 or www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Tampa/Calendar.do):
SPRING HERBS Chef Mike Grimes will teach you to transform a dish from ho-hum to a tasty delight. This class features grilled salmon, herb-crusted pork tenderloin with roasted shallots and figs, and cinnamon basil ice cream. $40. Thurs., March 3. 6:30 p.m.
COUPLES COOKING Learn not only how to prepare a wonderful meal but, more importantly, how to have a great time creating something delicious together. Chef Bill Mitchell is making apple pork tenderloin with Adirondack chutney and Rosemary garlic potatoes, and more. $80 per couple. Fri., March 4. 6:30 p.m.
SUSHI In Sushi 101, Chef Ken Tanaka will teach you the ancient art of sushi from beginning to end, including proper rice cooking and ingredient selection. $40. Sat., March 5. 6:30 p.m.
LA MAISON GOURMET Classes at La Maison require reservations and are located at 471 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-3070 or www.lamaisongourmet.com):
LOW CARB & LOW CALORIE Inspired by South Beach and Atkins diet books, prepare and taste: chicken florentine soup; chayote salad; shrimp creole; steak au poivre; garlic & lemon grilled vegetables; portobello caps with melted goat cheese. $25.00 Wed., March 2. 7-8:30 p.m.
PASTA SAUCES Pasta and sauce lovers, this is the class for you: learn to prepare smoked mushroom and stuffed shells with roasted tomato sauce, penne ala carbonara, pasta primavera, fra diavola, and creamy herb Alfredo. $39.50. Thurs., March 3. 6:30-9 p.m.
ANYBODY CAN MAKE SUSHI Join Chef Debbie and learn the basics of sushi: sushi rice; kani su (cucumber & crab salad); California roll; spicy tuna roll & Tampa roll $45.00. Tues., March 8. 6:30-9 p.m.
FARMERS MARKET
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 SW 5th and SW 6th streets (Anne Buck, 727-518-8442).
