Plus, National Hot Dog Day suggestions.
 
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Today’s Forecast

91º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.
Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:07 a.m. | Low: 7:49 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 8:26 a.m. + 11:49 p.m. | Low: 4:27 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

👩‍🍳 What’s cooking, good looking?

Up your culinary game at these Tampa Bay area cooking classes
A family prepares ingredients during a cooking class, including parents and children. An instructor looks on from the other side of the table as metallic bowls cover the surface with brightly colored ingredients. Signage lines the back wall with "AJ's Kitchen Drawer" written.
Try a cooking class for a special occasion, to improve your skills, or to bring the family together. | Photo by AJ’s Kitchen Drawer
Whether you’re chasing a Michelin Star or just a little more variation in your recipe rolodex, there’s something for every chef in the Tampa Bay area. These classes are sure to impress your friends, keep you feeling inspired in the kitchen, and offer the chance to connect with those closest to you.

Let’s see what’s on the menu:

AJ’s Kitchen Drawer | $80+ | The Town ‘N’ Country spot has a wide range of offerings, including kids camps, lessons for teens on trending TikTok foods, cooking with wine, geographically-specific classes, and private events (like birthday parties).

Casa di Mazzaro | $85 | This independent kitchenware store offers cooking supplies + a wide range of classes. Upcoming sessions have a Mediterranean focus, with Spanish, Greek, and French cuisine all on the agenda.

Cheeseology | $75+ | Opened in 2024, Ybor City now has a place to make your own cheese. Classes come with tastings — of course — and the option of wine add-ons, pizza classes + group discounts.

A cheese board and a range of unopened cheeses at Cheeseology in Ybor. The board has the business name, and there are over a dozen cheeses on the table, including parmesan, gruyere, brie, and cheddar.

Cheeseology was inspired by a 2022 trip to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

|

Photo by Cheeseology Tampa

Cozymeal | $69+ | With offerings in 120+ US cities, Cozymeal helps connect budding chefs with local experts, including a wealth of options in Tampa and St. Pete. Knife skills, sushi workshops, and recipes from “The Bear” all feature throughout the extensive listings.

Sur La Table | $69+ | The lavish kitchenware store’s Hyde Park Village location offers a whole host of lessons, including its popular date night series + culinary journeys to foreign flavors.

Sweet Bites Baking School | $60+ | Indulge your sweet tooth with in-person or online classes, decorating workshops, and private events. This is a great one for families.

Wendy Wesley Nutrition | $39+ | A celebrated nutrition expert, Wesley offers a range of health-focused classes and food advice at public + private kitchens around St. Pete.

Did we miss any? Let us know.
 
Events
Wednesday, July 17
  • Fun with Florida Flowers | Wednesday, July 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa | Free | Learn more about the flowers in your yard + take home floral goodies — registration recommended.
  • “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” | Wednesday, July 17 | 7-8 p.m. | Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $7 | Join Dalia Colón to discuss her book, featuring 100+ recipes focused on local ingredients.
Thursday, July 18
  • Surreal Nights at the Dalí | Thursday, July 18 | 5-8 p.m. | 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg | $15 | This monthly events brings a DJ to the Burg’s iconic museum, where tunes + Dalí’s visionary artwork intertwine.
  • “Photo Ybor: Then and Now” Opening Reception | Thursday, July 18 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 1630 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Free | Get an exclusive look at the new exhibit at the Ybor City gallery, featuring light bites + refreshments.
  • Sunset Series: “The Rhythm of the World” | Thursday, July 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Water Street Tampa, 1045 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa | Free | The final Sunset Series event celebrates global dance, music, and cuisine in the buzzy neighborhood.
Friday, July 19
  • Sunset Market | Friday, July 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Price of purchase | Shop wares from local artisans, crafters, vendors, and chow down on eats at the monthly market.
  • Flick & Splash Summer Movie Series | Friday, July 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Childs Park Pool, 1227 43rd St. S., St. Petersburg | $1-$2 | Go under the sea (or more accurately: the pool) for a family-friendly showing of “The Little Mermaid.”
  • Tampa Roller Derby vs. Swan City | Friday, July 19 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Skateworld of Tampa, 7510 Paula Dr., Tampa | $12 | Get a taste of the high-octane sport in the Big Guava.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Opening
  • Ferg’s is raising the game. The fabled Rays bar on Central Avenue is opening a cocktail concept above its main bar. Up the steps, patrons will find a range of drinks + food not available downstairs. It opens Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Coming Soon
  • Another round, please. The Blend Coffee and Cocktails is planning a new location in St. Pete’s Central Oak Park neighborhood. It will be the business’ eighth location, and will open at 3501 Central Ave. An opening date is not yet set. (St. Pete Rising)
Edu
  • USF and the Florida Institute of Oceanography have a new remotely operated underwater vehicle. The craft — named Taurus — can travel 2.5 miles below the surface and will be used to explore deep-sea environments. USF is the only US university with such a device. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Travel
  • Allegiant just announced a new direct route from St. Pete-Clearwater International to Savannah, GA. Flights to the spooky Southern city will begin in November, and start at $39. (WTSP)
Real Estate
  • Tampa is one of the best cities in the country for first-time home buyers, according to WalletHub. The Cigar City ranked No. 4 in the list, with metrics like affordability + quality of life used to determine the rankings. Clearwater ranked No. 16, and St. Pete No. 35.
Festival
  • Busch Gardens is prepping for a new culinary celebration. Bourbon & BBQ will run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the summer, ending on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 2), and is included with park admission. The menu includes pulled pork, lamb shank, brisket, and 25+ cocktails. (That’s So Tampa)
Arts
  • Cameras at the ready. SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival returns later this year. Local, national, and international artists will unveil 15+ new murals across the Burg from Friday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Oct. 20. (Visit St. Pete/Clearwater)
Sports
  • Ahead of the vote on the proposed new Rays stadium tomorrow, July 18, the team secured a new official bank sponsor: Amerant Bank. The Rays are now the fourth Florida-based team with affiliation to Amerant alongside the Florida Panthers, Miami Marlins, and Miami Heat. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Listen
  • The Bucs need their star players. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Drink Up
  • Drink Up Week — a celebration of our city’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming up quickly from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. We asked local businesses to join the fun by sharing drink deals; check out this map of promos that are poppin’ just for the occasion.
Trending
Seasonal
  • Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s Christmas in July, and we’re celebrating by gifting new and returning advertisers with special promotions to get your message in front of our readers. Get in touch to learn more (read: open your present).
 
Food

🌭 Hot diggity dog

Celebrate National Hot Dog Day in Tampa Bay style
Three vegan hot dogs from 3 Dot Dash. One has mustard on it, one has mac and cheese and cries, and the other has lettuce and onion. There is a grey brick wall behind.
Meat-free never looked so good. | Photo by @3dotvegan
Move over Independence Day — July’s biggest celebration has arrived. Each year, July 17 is a chance to honor one of mankind’s greatest creations: the hot dog.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, here are a few of our fave local spots:
  • Mel’s Hot Dogs | In 1973, Mel — a self-described “Chicagoland hippie” — opened his eatery right outside Busch Gardens, where tradition remains in every bite.
  • 3 Dot Vegan Kitchen | The trendy Seminole Heights vegan restaurant serves up delectable dogs, burgers + craft beers to boot.
  • 4th Street Sandwich Shop | The St. Pete spot uses Nathan’s skinless all beef franks for its gourmet dogs, with toppings like chili, slaw, and sauerkraut all on the menu.
  • Diggy Dogs | Often found in Hyde Park, this food truck pops up across Tampa Bay, with a brand new menu featuring almost too many tempting toppings to choose from.
Asked

Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A. Yes, of course!
B. No, what are you talking about?
Be frank with us
The Buy
⚡ It’s the second (and final) Amazon Prime Day. Shop Day Two lightning deals that just went live.

Get 56% off a wireless charging station that can charge your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch all at once.

This $400 ionic hair dryer is on sale for under $100.

Get a $50 Old Navy gift card for $40, or a $50 Regal gift card for $40.

This five outlet surge protector includes four USB ports and charges your devices with notable speed.

Get a Bentgo stackable lunch box 55% off.

Keep your eye on this bestselling tennis dress for a lightning deal later today.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Patrick Sidwell.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Patrick
From the editor
The new school year is fast-approaching, but it’s important to keep every student in mind, in my opinion.

Our friends at 10 Tampa Bay are doing incredible work with school supply collection boxes in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. The next time you’re at the grocery store, a few spare pens, pencils, or notepads can make the world of difference.
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