May 9 - Chef Richie returned to the RP Culinary Center for two nights of molecular cooking. He impressed the crowd with his food, like the Cuban Cigar, which was actually a Cuban Sandwich shaped as a cigar. His dessert nachos were a hit. Imagine chocolate nibs, whipped Greek yogurt, and strawberries all on top of fried sweet tortilla chips, all put together it looked like a pile of chips. Also on the menu was Fried Quail and Mac-n Cheese and a Greek Style Leg of Lamb. As one participant said, this was an A+ menu, chef and class.
View Pictures
May 2 - Chef Tre was back in the kitchen again wowing the crowd with his amazing menu of Shrimp Ceviche with Gazpacho Sauce and Crispy Plantains, Seared Sea Scallops with Truffle Potato Sauce, Tuscan Kale, Leeks, and Tomatoes, Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Polenta, Chorizo, Peas, and Smoked Mushrooms, and an Apple Pear Crisp. The class could not get enough of his fabulous food and of course, his infectious laugh. Chef Tre told stories of his time on Top Chef and answered many questions throughout the night. Everyone had a fabulous time.
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April 18 - Chef Tiffany was amazing, the best Fried Green Tomatoes, funny, she got me to eat Okra... These were just a few words, out of many, the class participants had to say about Chef Tiffany during her cooking class on April 18. Chef Tiffany's menu of Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Ravigote, Radish Pico and Remoulade Sauce, Roasted Pork Belly with Stewed Okra, Cornbread Souffle, and Sweet Potato Creme Brulee with Port Wine Cherries was perfect. Everyone devoured every course, learned some great cooking tips and even learned the correct way to cook okra. Chef Tiffany told enlightened the crowd with many great stories from her two seasons on Top Chef, the Top Chef Cruise and answered many questions throughout the night. Overall it was a Fantastic night!
View Pictures
March 16 - Rolling Pin held their cupcake contest on Saturday. Congratulations to the winners: Nicola H., Kelsie K, and Jean A. Their cupcakes were fabulous. Thank you to all 16 participants for entering into the contest. You should did give the judges a tough time when it came time to scoring each cupcake. Thank you to the judges: Marie Gilmore, Osprey Editor; Charla Tatom, Baking/Cake Instructor, and Teresia, RP Volunteer.
View winners and pictures.
March 19 - Helen Chen cooked away in the culinary center on March 19. She delighted the class participants with fabulous food, cooking tips and chatted about traditions and memories of cooking with her mom. Her menu consisted of Fool-Proof Jasmine Rice, Traditional Moo Shi Pork, Coral and Jade (Shrimp with Snow Peas), Chicken with Asparagus, and Clear-Steamed Ginger-Scallion Fish. This was her fifth visit to Rolling Pin we can't wait to see what she will bring with her on her next visit.
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February 20 - Brandon Foundation and Rolling Pin have partnered together to bring eight Celebrity and Top Chefs this Spring to join the quest of making Tampa Bay area a Culinary Destination. Brandon Foundation and its charities will receive 15% of the proceeds from each seat sold. Chefs on the schedule: Chopped Grillmaster Chad Ward, Cookbook Author and Chef Helen Chen, Top Chef Sarah Grueneberg, Top Chef Tiffany Derry, Top Chef Tre Wilcox, Top Chef Richie Farina, Top Chef Lindsay Autry, and Cookbook Author and Southern Chef Virginia Willis.
Read Full Press Release
Register Online
January 26, 2013 - Real men Wear Aprons with Todd Lopez
Todd and participants prepared a fabulous Surf and Turf menu on Saturday. Filet Mignon, Grilled Lobster Tails, Wedge Salad and Strawberries Foster. Wonderful, is one way to describe this meal. Check out the photos Testimonial - "Todd was amazing! This is our first cooking class at Rolling Pin. We will definitely be back. Best experience hands-down! If you are looking for a great night out with great food and drinks this is your place." - Nicole W.
January 25, 2013 - A Taste of Thai
The last Friday of every month there is an A Taste of...Event that focuses on the food being paired with wine. This past month Thai was the theme. Great pairing and great food. Could not have asked for a better match. Photos Check out next month's A Taste of Wines From The Pacific Northwest. Register
Testimonials:
This is a new experience and very enjoyable. This was my way of having a different kind of date night. However, it is more than that. It is very educational. I am learning a great deal while eating a great meal and tasting wonderful wines. - Felicia Miller
Exhilarating! Duck and Ginger. Wines beautifully paired. Shrimp Pad Thai - Sweet! What a beautiful evening! - Bob and Diane W.
Great dinner! Wine class was educational and worth the price of admission by itself. Loved the Chef. We will be back. - Wade and Antoinette W.
January 21, 2013 - Chef Tatiana - Mexican Fiesta
Chef Tatiana is back in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Her latest class, Mexican Fiesta, treated guests to Chicken Tortilla Soup, Pork Carnitas in Tomatillo Sauce with Cilantro Rice, and Dulce de Leche Crispy Pockets with Vanilla Ice Cream. Here is what a few people thought of the class.
“From the very beginning the experience was so much fun. Entering the Rolling Pin we were welcomed with the great kitchen store. Staff was friendly and helpful. Tatiana's presentation was excellent! She is down to earth and obviously excited about her cooking and talented. The food was delicious! I came in thinking we would just be sampling just a bit and was treated to a huge meal. I'm sure I will be back and definitely recommend to others. Thank you.” - Barb I.
“The class was very informative. The food was delicious! I can't wait to take these recipes home to try them. The chef was very entertaining and seemed like she loves what she does. I'm so glad that I was part of this experience tonight!” - Jessica B.
Be sure to check out her next class Caribbean Delight, March 5, 6:15pm
View Photos from Mexican Fiesta
January 16, 2013 - Valentine Dinner's Are Now Posted Online
Book your seat in one of our Valentine Dinners available on February 13th & 14th, 6:15pm. Every year they sell out quickly so don't wait. Seats are going fast. Book Now
January 10, 2013 - Chili with The Best Meat Sauce Ever
Chef Dave just taped a segment on DaytimeTV with Lindsay where he made the Best Meat Sauce Ever and morphed it into Chili for the upcoming cold days. Segment will air on Monday, January 14 at 11am on NBC.
Chili Recipe Best Meat Sauce Ever Recipe Photos From Filming
December 29, 2012
Watch Chef Dave in action during his Italian Steakhouse. Food was prepared, Chef Dave was interviews and participants were interviewed. A great spot showcasing Chef Dave and the cooking classes. Thank you Patrick and TBO.
Video: www2.tbo.com/brandon-beat/010113/ (Chef Dave starts at 1:44 into the segment)
December 1
Rolling Pin featured on Tampabay NightlifeTV -Michelle from Tampabay Nightlife was in and did a spot on Chef Dave and our Cooking Classes. Be sure to check out the video,
Video: http://www.tampabaynightlife.tv/restaurant-reviews.htm
October 25 & 26, Chef Sarah Grueneberg - Top Chef Contestant and Executive Chef of Spiaggia, Chef Sarah Grueneberg was just in the kitchen cooking Italian. There are not enough words to describe how tasty the food was. Everything was wonderful and something that one could make at home for a nice dinner party. Chef Sarah talked about her time in Italty, being Executive Chef at Spiaggia and her time on Top Chef. Was a special treat it was to have her here. We hope to get her back in the future. Enjoy photos of her classes and her time on DaytimeTV
September 21 & 22, Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival - Chef Dave and crew were at both events during the festival. At the Gala, held on Friday night, Chef Dave created his famous Shrimp and Grits and for the Grand Tasting on Saturday created Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls). If you missed this event, be sure to keep an eye out for next year. The Brandon Foundation held the event which benefited local charities throughout the Tampa Bay area. View Picture
September 20 - Chef Curtis Stone was at Rolling Pin for a demo, Q & A session and cookbook signing. Over 150 people packed Rolling Pin to meet Chef Curtis. What a pleasure it was. Of course all the ladies were in heaven, but being able to bring Chef Curtis to the Tampa Bay area was great for all that attended. View Photos
September 11, Chef Dave tapes cooking segment on Arancini at DaytimeTV. Show will air on Thursday, September 13 at 11am. Be sure to watch. Photos from filming
August 23, Chef Rene's All About Fish Cooking Class - Chef Rene Marquis fixed a meal fit for a king. The menu included three different fishes that included Tuna, Salmon and Sole. He topped off the night with homemade sugar cookies and Lemon Sorbet. One couple had this to say about his class, "This was our first cooking class ever! The food was amazing and plentiful, and Chef Rene was very personable. He was informative and made sure to answer any questions.", Andrea and Elliot View Photos
August 4, Knife Sharpening For Charity - Rolling Pin hosted sponsored a “Knife Sharpening For Charity”. Bonnie, Warren and Doty were busy bees in the sharpening over 250 knives that were brought in for the event. With your generosity, $800 was raised for the Brandon Foundation. Rolling Pin and the Foundation thank you for your support. View Photos
July 27, Chef Lynnette featured in the Osprey Observer - Chef Lynnette was recently interviewed by the Osprey Observer. Read the article and find out how Chef Lynnette began her culinary career. Article
July 17 - Chef Lynnette surprised her guest in her Eat Your Veggies class with great tasting dishes that all contained veggies. What a delight they were. View Pics. Want more of Chef Lynnette? Check out her Friday lunch classes and her Afternoon Teas. View Calendar
July 14 - Todd Lopez held his Real Men Wear Aprons class. Watching the men do all the cooking was a real treat. View Photos. He will be back on August 10 with a class on Food Blogger Favorites.
July 6 - Chef Vanessa just did her entire class on Chorizo. Check out the pictures. Be sure to look for her next class on Modern Italian Cuisine Made easy, July 31.
July 5 - Chef Rene treated his class to his Favorite Food Truck Dishes. What a treat. See the pictures. He will be back in the kitchen on August 23, for a class All About Fish.
June 27 - Chef Dave and Karen interview on Patch.com - Read Article
May 12 - Iron Chef: Chef Tatiana vs. Chef Viet: View Event Info
May 11 - Dr. BBQ Cooking Class and Cookbook Signing: Register Now
April 28 - High School Iron Chef Showdown: Durant vs. Riverview - Winner: Riverview
April 21 - High School Iron Chef - Riverview vs. South County Career - Winner: Riverview - Read Press Release
April 14 - High School Iron Chef - Durant vs. Tampa Bay Tech - Winner: Durant
March 1, 2012
Chef Dave has been invited to compete in this year's Top Chef Tampa Bay benefiting The Child Abuse Council on March 26 - Read Press Release
February 7, 2012
Karen Mertes, Customer and Cooking Class Assistant honored as a Lightning Community Hero - Read Story
January 1, 2012
Brandon Patch - New Year's Must Do's - Read Article
December 28, 2011
Tampa Bay Times - Ernest Hooper's Annual List - You Haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have... - Read Article
November 2011
Brandon Patch - Shop Local, Shop Small - Read Article
October 2011
Gourmet Retailer - Vendor Showcase attracts 250+ Customers - Read Article
December 2010
Osprey Observer - Apron Article - Read Article
November 2010
YMCA: Corks and Forks - Read Article
October 2010
Gourmet Retailer - Small Business of the Year - Read Article
July 2010
Tampa Tribune - Slow Food Movement Take Root Here - Read Article
July 2010
St. Pete Times - Slow Food Tampa Bay Introduces Itself With Dinner At Studio @620 - Read Article
July 2010
St. Pete Times - Meet The Folks Behind Brandon's Rolling Pin - Read Article
June 2010
St. Pete Times - Area Companies Win "Retailer Of The Year" honors - Read Article