The 10 Tampa Bay chefs — some returning, others new — selected to compete in LocalShops1's yearly Top Local Chef competition were announced Monday.
With their best plates in tow, Jill and Maria Johnson (Mangia Gourmet), John Riesebeck (Smokin' J's Real Texas BBQ), LeAnn Jackson (Le'Anns Cheesecakes 'N More), Sean Ford (Tryst Gastro Lounge), Michelle Garner (OobAlaMode Pastries), Ramon Hernandez (Pipo's), Olive Davis (Stella's), and Shane Ibey and Cassandra Grawien (Street Surfer food truck, Tastes of Tampa Bay) will be judged by a panel of food pros and journalists from 5 to 7 p.m. April 24.
Each dish in the food face-off, hosted at the Gulfport Casino, must integrate this year's not-so-secret ingredient: Flo-grown Valencia oranges. General admission, which costs $20 before March 15, and $60 VIP tickets are available online.
Also featured at the event is the Tampa Bay Marketplace. Here, guests will find various products and services from local vendors like Out of the Weeds Artisan Dressings, Pinellas Chocolate Company, Intensity Academy and Takeout Button.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2016.