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A culinary ploy; taking a bar exam
© St. Petersburg Times If there is one passion my wife has, other than taking care of me and the kids, it is cooking. So out of the goodness of my heart, I enrolled her in a cooking class that took place Saturday afternoon at Armani's, the famed restaurant at the Hyatt Westshore. I know some cynics out there believe I did it only to get her out of the house so I could watch football. Shame on you for having such sad thoughts about me. Besides, the Gators didn't play until 7:45 p.m. No, the intention was to give her a respite and allow her to experience more than what she normally gets from watching the Food Network. To hear her tell it, chef Massimo Patano delivered. With a view of the bay behind them, those in attendance watched as chef Massimo prepared a five-course meal consisting of snails, duck breast, sea bass filet, lamb and dessert. A mirror on the ceiling gave them an overhead view of the preparations, and each of the 25 or so diners got to sample each course with wine pairings. They also received a mini cookbook with the recipes for each course. I think the three-hour, $60 class was a good investment, considering that Florence is going to make the branzino marinato con gamberi (sea bass) for us at home. Not to mention that I got to watch the Wisconsin-Iowa game without being asked once to take out the trash or pick up my underwear. The only drawback is that she doesn't want to go alone next time. I hope that doesn't mean I have to give up a football Saturday. I am giving up today to serve as a touch screen technician in Precinct 753, Plant City. No word on whether we're getting pig's feet, but I'll let you know. Kudos to Bill Poe Sr. and the Poe family, who were selected by the Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals to receive its 2002 Philanthropist of the Year Award. Bill and Betty Poe, as well as their five children, have actively supported such groups as Metropolitan Ministries, the Boys & Girls Club, the Children's Museum and the United Way. The family will be honored Wednesday during a luncheon at the A La Carte Pavilion. It's a shame when someone from out of town has to tell you about something special in your city. Yes, I had been to the Tampa Bay Brewing Co. and yes, I thought my meal was pretty good. But I didn't realize it was one of the top four brewery/restaurants in America. Al Roker's Brew Pubs USA featured the Ybor City restaurant (1812 N 15th St.) Sunday night, making note of the seven house beers and five seasonal beers brewed on the premises. I also was impressed with the beer-infused cuisine. Roker's show repeats this Saturday at 4 p.m. It was like fantasy bartender camp. Taking a turn as a celebrity bartender at Big City Tavern proved to be a thrill a minute. It was part of a two-week effort by the Guardian Ad Litem program, which also includes today's lunchtime tips at Bernini's being donated to the program, and a special Nov. 13 party at the Amphitheater to honor Dottie Berger-MacKinnon. The idea at Big City on Friday was to turn over our tips to the GAL, but for me it was all about fulfilling a lifelong dream. I really don't make drinks fast enough to be a professional, and I couldn't handle anything more complicated than draft beer and Dewars on the rocks. Yet there was something fun about greeting people and having light conversation. My hopes of passing along sage advice to some forlorn soul went by the wayside, but I did get a history lesson from City Council candidate Joe Robinson. And a big tip. AM Tampa Bay's Jack Harris, WMTX-FM 100.7 midday host Marti Ryan, WFLA reporter Jackie Baron and Daytime co-host Brian Fasulo joined the effort and together we helped raise nearly $600 from 5 to 7 p.m. The real credit, however, goes to the regular bartenders. Not only were Robert Jefferson, Jessica Diveris and Ellen Martin patient with us, they did an incredible job washing glasses with this neat, electric spinning-brush thing. Trust me, it was cool. In my next life, I'm gonna live behind a bar. That's all I'm saying.
-- Ernest Hooper can be reached at 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com .
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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Times columns today Ernest Hooper Mary Jo Melone Jan Glidewell John Romano From the Times Metro desks |
