07.25.2024

Today’s Forecast

Cooking with a purpose

A cooking contest with a purpose: Feeding Tampa Bay’s Epic Chef

Chefs prepare for Epic Chef behind a counter laden with fresh produce. The chefs are wearing white uniforms, and wiring surrounds the area in the shiny Epicurean Theatre — a kitchen fit for shows and productions. Counters are a mix of white, silver, and grey, and ingredients line the wall in clear containers.

Lights, camera, action. | Photo by TBAYtoday

South Tampa’s Epicurean Theatre is a self-described “culinary playground.” But as anyone recalling the halcyon days of their youth will tell you, the playground is often where we learn the most important lessons.

This certainly rings true for Feeding Tampa Bay’s Epic Chef, where our area’s top chefs face off in dramatic showdowns. The nonprofit organization uses the spectacle to not only showcase TBAY’s increasingly acclaimed food scene, but also to raise awareness about food insecurity, and highlight how we can help.

The ninth annual event takes place over three weeks, with the first showdown on Monday, July 22 already in the books. Chef Guillermo Quezada from Rooster & the Till battled Chef JLW Chau from The Stovall House.

How does it work?

Chefs receive two mystery ingredients which they must incorporate into a single dish in 30 minutes. A panel of judges then rates each dish on taste, creativity, and presentation. The scores are tallied over two rounds, and a winner emerges.

In the first round, the pair were surprised with smoked salmon roe and squid, before tackling a more unusual pairing of pickle juice and bone marrow in round two. Quezada came out victorious, and will advance to the finals on Monday, Aug. 5, where he will take on the yet-to-be-determined winner from the second week.

Chef Guillermo Quezada prepares food. He's wearing a white shirt, black apron, and orange hat, and is looking down as he cooks. Ingredients are in front of him, and a tv camera is pointing toward his workspace. — Quezada prepared a family-style meal in round two — a first in Epic Chef history. | Photo by TBAYtoday

How can I get involved?

Epic Chef returns to the Epicurean Theatre on Monday, July 29. That’s when Chef Ehinar Cruz from The Tides Market will take on Chef Moesha Collymore from Predalina. The winner will face off against Quezada on Monday, Aug. 5.

To attend the events, a pair of tickets costs $400. Admission includes a four-course meal featuring dishes from esteemed local restaurants, wine pairings, and guest speakers. You can also watch at home via local streaming service MOR-TV, or via YouTube.

Words from the winner

Events

Thursday, July 25

RGA Business Expo | Thursday, July 25 | 3-7 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater | Free | Connect and network with local industry leaders, and give your business a boost.
Bread Class | Thursday, July 25 | 6-8 p.m. | The Venue at Larson Family Farm, 4812 Bruton Rd., Plant City | $40 | Learn how to make + take home a loaf of your own homemade bread.
Christmas In July | Thursday, July 25-Saturday, July 27 | Times vary | Joy Bar, 6905 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa | Free entry | Celebrate Christmas in July with $4 Christmas themed shots and a $1.50 Pabst Blue Ribbon happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Donny Osmond: “Direct From Vegas” | Thursday, July 25 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $131+ | Osmond takes a break from his Sin City residency to light up the TBAY stage with his decades of hits.

Friday, July 26

Summer Ocean Splash Theme Day | Friday, July 26 | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | $12-$15 | Celebrate summer with a splash at this day full of ocean-themed activities and interactive programs.
Salsa Sounds with Point 6 | Friday, July 26 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | The Tampa EDITION, 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Start your weekend in style with DJs spinning tunes on the five-star hotel’s rooftop, overlooking downtown Tampa.

Saturday, July 27

Architectural Walking Tour | Saturday, July 27 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $25-$30 | Join the museum’s curator to explore the historic building and learn about its unique architectural feats.
Master Your Camera Controls: Photography Workshop | Saturday, July 27 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg | $98 | Improve your skills behind the lens, led by a professional photographer in the picturesque gardens.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Development

The Publix at 3900 66th St. N. in St. Pete is being demolished. But have no fear, chicken tender pub sub fans — the grocery store is just being rebuilt + updated. The current location was built in 1976, and will close on Saturday, July 27. (St. Pete Rising)

Open

Ybor City’s food game just went up another notch. Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro opened its doors at 934 E. Henderson Ave. That’s where diners can choose from noodles, dumplings, egg rolls, bao buns, and other tasty eats + specialty coffee drinks.

Real Estate

A South of Gandy area apartment complex recently sold for $64.3 million. The 214-unit Azola South Tampa is now in the hands of Momentum Real Estate Partners, who paid $300,000+ per apartment. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

State

Earlier this year, Florida’s population surpassed 23 million for the first time, according to state demographic data. The milestone comes after an estimated 359,000 people moved to the Sunshine State in 2023 — roughly matching this decade’s average yearly increase. (WTSP)

Sports

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are celebrating 727 Night this Saturday, July 27 during their home game against Charleston Battery. Honor the numerical holiday with $7.27 beers, tequila seltzers, and burgers. Kick-off at Al Lang Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $20.

Today Is

National Drowning Prevention Day, a chance to raise awareness about the dangers of drowning, especially among children. Reduce the risk by signing yourself or your kiddo up for swimming lessons — offered by both the City of Tampa and St. Pete.

Olympics

Now we know Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, it’s worth remembering that Tampa International flies direct. If that’s not enough, TPA also flies direct to Los Angeles — the host of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Stay tuned for our 2024 Paris Games coverage. (WTSP)

Number

$168 million. That’s how much the University of South Florida raised in donations during the last fiscal year. The figure represents a 44% increase, with philanthropic support coming from 54,000+ donors. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Drink Up

Grabbing a coffee or a post-work drink this week? Find a local drink deal and raise a glass to Drink Up Week, our annual celebration of our city’s buzzy beverage industry. Businesses around Tampa Bay are offering fun deals — see what’s poppin’.

Listen

Dive deeper into the Rays’ stadium plans. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

You deserve beautiful, energy-efficient windows in your home. Get $400 off per window and $850 off per door with Renewal by Andersen®’s limited time offer.*

Drink Up Week

🥂 The local flavor

Tampa Bay neighborhoods as drinks

A green boba drink sits on a boardwalk at John's Pass. The focus is on the green straw and clear rounded container, while the blurry background shows a wooden walkway, water, cloudy skies, and a nearby boat.

TBAY’s beverage scene is as vibrant as its neighborhoods. | Photo by TBAYtoday

We’ve compared Tampa Bay’s neighborhoods to dog breeds, and zodiac signs. Now, during Drink Up Week — our celebration of local beverage business — we’re doing the same thing with drinks.

Boba: Downtown St. Pete

Trendy, modern, and perfect for a stroll. These descriptors apply to both DTSP and boba. The recently opened Samurai Cat offers a range of flavors.

Tea: Hyde Park

Coincidence or not, Hyde Park shares a name with London’s storied green space. Couple with the area’s classy vibe, a cup of tea feels fitting. Buddy Brew has a range of hot + iced teas to choose from.

Wine: South Tampa

A glass of vino goes well with food, so this could have been downtown Tampa for its foodie reputation, too. We chose South Tampa in the end, and Bern’s Steak House’s gigantic wine collection is a good place to start.

4 more neighborhood pours

The Buy

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More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

Thanks to the wonderful folks at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, we can make summertime magical for its patients.

The hospital is asking for toy donations during its 16th annual Christmas in July celebrations. Do your part tomorrow, July 26 at either of the hospital’s two Tampa Bay area locations.

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