The Ocala Culinary Festival kicks off Wednesday night, and, yeah, it’s not Tampa Bay. But so what? That doesn’t mean industry pros with ties to the region aren’t repping the wonders of our restaurant and bar scene in northern Florida.
Quite the opposite, actually.
Tampa Yacht & Country Club beverage manager Brenda Terry, who makes one kickass drink, serves as the second annual fest’s official mixologist — shaking things up during shindigs hosted throughout Ocala and Marion County over five days, including a Friends of the James Beard Foundation benefit dinner.
Another official mixologist for the fest is from Cigar City as well. Shelby Goelz of Monin, which specializes in the production of gourmet syrups for both food and drink, is scheduled to lead Saturday’s Art of Cocktails workshop.
And don’t worry — the eats are in good hands. Two talented Tampa chefs, Edison: Food+Drink Lab’s Jeannie Pierola and Ferrell Alvarez of Rooster & the Till, are combining their celebrated culinary chops to take attendees on an exploration of epicurean proportions at Vintage Farm. Their aptly named dinner is called collaborATE and also planned for Saturday.
To purchase tickets in advance and peruse the full schedule of events, visit the Ocala Culinary Festival website.
This article appears in Apr 5-12, 2018.