Pie-baking throwdown!

Hey, all you pie bakers. Yes, I mean people like you, Larry Brooks! The challenge is on!

Freedom Plaza is hosting its Fall Festival and Craft Show on Friday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Along with a variety of crafts, hidden treasures, hot dog, chips and soda for $2, there will be a pie baking contest! This event is to support Hillsborough County Sheriff's Emergency Services.

I'm in!

For more information, call (813) 634-1824.

Freedom Plaza

1010 American Eagle Blvd.

Sun City Center, FL

www.brookdaleliving.com

A tip for potato chip lovers

Personally, I can plow through a bag of chips before it has time to get stale.

But, this is a brilliant way to fold down the top of a chip bag without using a clip. The air stays out and the chips stay fresh.

A fondness for herbs?

Colorfield Farms Fall Garden Festival

This weekend, learn all kinds of great tricks for outsmarting South Florida's problematic growing conditions at the annual Colorfield Farms Fall Garden Festival.

The event will include the tasting of recipes using herbs as well as educational demonstrations on growing herbs and commonly used veggies, container gardening, low-volume irrigation, and pests, bugs, sap suckers and other undesirables.

When: Oct. 16 - 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Colorfield Farms, 8221 State Road 674 in Wimauma

Cost: Free

Information: (813) 833-2545

Surreal Brunch 2010

This is a not-to-be-missed experience for foodies and their friends, featuring a culinary demonstration by the Food Network's "Surreal Gourmet," and an elegant four-course brunch, all aboard Holland America's finest ship, the ms Ryndam.

The Surreal Brunch is hosted by the Dali Guild and is a benefit for the new Dali Museum.

The pairing of food and surrealism is an enjoyable way to honor Dali and the grand new building that will house the largest collection of his work outside Spain.

Bob Blumer, "The Surreal Gourmet," has been a frequent guest of the Museum, and his wow-inspiring dishes, whimiscal presentations and unusual cooking methods would make Dali proud.

* When: Sunday, October 24 Guests aboard the ms Ryndam at 10 a.m. sharp. Brunch is served at 11 a.m. and Bob Blumer's presentation is at 12:30 p.m.

* Where: ms Rydam, Port of Tampa, Terminal 3

* Tickets: $125.00, that includes an autographed copy of Bob Blumer's cookbook, The Surreal Gourmet.

* Information: You may reserve a seat at the Surreal Brunch by contacting Leigh Winkler at (727) 823-3767 x3043 or by email at lwinkler@thedali.org. Be advised that boarding the cruise ship involves paperwork required by Homeland Security. Please reserve by October 18.

www.thedali.org

Pineapple upside-down cake. The liquid version.

I was at Beanie's tonight to hear Bill Floyd sing AND I was craving Beanie's chicken wings. The bartender, Angela, breezed by carrying three glasses filled with exactly the same pretty, red drinks.

"What were those?" I asked.

Angela said they were pineapple upside down cakes, as she nudged the remaining drops in the shaker my way.

WOW! It was good! So I ordered one. (Smart bartender!)

Vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine mixed together; this drink smells and tastes exactly like its name! Try one...