culinary calendar
SPECIAL EVENTS
MTI Tour of Kitchens: The Manatee Technical Institute Foundation third annual Tour of Kitchens is 2-7 p.m. Feb. 26. Guests will visit six beautiful homes along Riverview Boulevard in Bradenton and sample signature dishes prepared by local chefs in each kitchen. Participating restaurants include Euphemia Haye, Pier 22, Ortygia Restaurant, SOMA Diner, Riverhouse Reef & Grill and Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Specially selected wines will also be served. The tour will end with a coffee and dessert station at the Manatee River Garden Club. Gourmet desserts will be prepared by MTI Culinary Arts students. Tickets are $55 each. Complimentary trolley service is provided from the Manatee River Garden Club to all stops on the tour. Information: www.manateetechnicalinstitute.org and/or to purchase tickets, contact Heather Humphrey at 941-751-7900, ext. 2245.
National Pancake Day: International House of Pancakes will offer free a short stack of flapjacks 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 28 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Guests are asked to make a donation for each stack of pancakes. Donations made at IHOPs in the Bradenton area will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ program at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. IHOP hopes to raise $2.7 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $10 million in the program’s seven years. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.
Eat Here welcomes Sailor Circus: Enjoy free performances by Circus Sarasota’s Sailor Circus during “Fun by the Fountain” on select Friday evenings through May. Outdoor performances will take place 6-8 p.m. March 2, April 20 and May 4 in Eat Here’s fountain courtyard at 1888 Main St., Sarasota. Eat Here will make a donation to the nonprofit Sailor Circus, which for 60 years has been helping youth develop life management skills, practice self-discipline and gain confidence. Information: 941-365-8700 or eathereSarasota.com.
High Tea: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, will hold a High Tea 3-5 p.m. March 4 at the Christy Payne Mansion. At the High Tea, guests will be greeted with Champagne, then delight in delectable edibles created by Fete Catering, along with live classical guitar music, floral surprises, and much more. The menu includes tea sandwiches, asparagus and Gruyere quiche, salmon and spinach wrapped in puff pastry and an array of desserts. Seating is $75 a person and is limited; reservations required by Feb. 28. Contact Diane at 941-544-4852, or email associates@selby.org.
CLASSES
Apron’s classes: Apron’s Cooking School at Publix At University Walk, 2875 University Parkway, Manatee County, will hold the following classes.
Feb. 22: basics of culinary, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Feb. 23: Heart-y and Health-y after the Holidays, 6 p.m.
Feb. 24: Mario Batali demonstration, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $95. Class is full, but you can be put on a waiting list at www.publix.com.
Feb. 25: Pantry raid, 6 p.m.
Feb. 27: basic knife skills, 6 p.m.
Feb. 28: basics of culinary, 6 p.m.
Feb. 29: “Almighty Bacon,” 6:30 p.m.
Students may register for all classes online at www.publix.com or by calling 941-358-7829.
Mattison’s Forty-One: Chef Paul Mattison will host a cooking class with a gourmet lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. March 28 at Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Cost: $35 a person and includes a three-course lunch with wine and an informative cooking demonstration with recipes created by Chef Mattison. The theme is Northern Italian Cuisine. Seating is limited; make reservations online at www.mattisons.com or call 941-921-3400.
WINE EVENTS
Wines unveiled: Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery in Duette will introduce its newest fruit-based wines noon-5 p.m. Feb. 25-26. Light hors d’oeuvres will be available. Information: 941-776-0418 or www.bunkerhillvineyard.com.
Wine-pairing dinner: Chef Paul Mattison, executive chef and proprietor of Mattison’s, announces a five-course Porter wine-pairing dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Cost: $75 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.mattisons.com or by calling 941-921-3400.
Tasting: WineStyles Lakewood Ranch, 8225 Nature’s Way, offers a free tasting 6-8 p.m. Fridays. Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres are served. Information: 941-306-5804 or www.winestyles.net/lakewoodranch.
Culinary Calendar: Email information to jmorreale@bradenton.com.
