Smalls Sliders headed to Tampa, Green Bench snags a James Beard nomination, and more local food news

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Smalls Sliders As if Tampa Bay didn't have enough burger concepts, another up-and-coming slider chain has announced its venture into Central Florida. Popular franchise operating group Purple Square Management (PSM) is bringing Smalls Sliders—a new, Louisiana-based burger chain—to the greater Tampa Bay area. A press release states that the group will debut the first local Smalls Sliders at the end of 2024, and is planning to open eight more locations over the next few years. While no specific locations have been announced just yet, PSM is looking to open future Smalls Sliders in cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland and Spring Hill. Sliders, of course, are the star of its menu and can be upgraded with add-ons like bacon or extra meat. Other items include milkshakes, waffle fries, grilled cheese and a spicy queso dipping sauce. In addition to its fast casual menu, Smalls Sliders is also known for its unique, bright orange drive-thru buildings called "cans," typically made from repurposed shipping containers. smallssliders.com

Events

Over 25 Gasparilla parties, events and pregames happening in Tampa Bay this weekend It’s finally time to dust those pirate costumes off and start preparing your liver, because one of the wildest parties of the year is right around the corner. With Tampa’s annual pirate parade and “invasion” happening on Saturday, Jan. 27, bars, clubs, restaurants and other local businesses are hosting a variety of pirate-themed parties. From Friday night pregames and pre-parade brunches to late-night music festivals and “hair of the dog” specials on Sunday morning, there are tons of debaucherous ways to celebrate 2024’s Gasparilla season. Here are over 25 Gasparilla parties, pregames brunches and events to help you celebrate this beloved Tampa tradition. 19th annual Planter’s Ball Tampa’s Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is celebrating its 30th birthday this weekend and inviting longtime supporters and new faces alike to a night of live music, tasty, organic fare and dancing. Live music will be provided by Noan Partly and Swallowtail Cousin while Sweetwater’s team dishes out organic tapas and a vegetarian, family-style meal with the help of big name sponsors like Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Publix and local businesses like St. Pete Ferments and Rollin’ Oats. Sips include local beer, wine and kombucha, and all proceeds raised from the 19th annual Planter’s Ball support the local farm’s “ongoing mission to promote land stewardship, education and building community from the ground up.” Children 12 and under can attend 2024’s rendition of the Planter’s Ball for free. Tickets to the 19th Annual Planter’s Ball at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm on Saturday, Jan. 27 are still available for $30. 5521 Hanley Rd., Tampa. Sweetwater-organic.org 7th annual ‘Food Fight’ fundraiser and competition Each year, local nonprofit Metropolitan Ministries hosts its annual fundraiser, which has evolved into an intense, action-packed culinary competition where St. Pete and Tampa’s top chefs cook for their cities and battle for bragging rights. All proceeds raised from Food Fight's ticket sales and sponsorships help the Tampa-based nonprofit continue its variety of educational programs, particularly culinary arts. Tickets to attend 2024’s Food Fight—happening on Tuesday, Jan.30—are now available on Ticketmaster for $250 each. Besides watching the action-packed cooking competition, attendees can participate in a silent auction, enjoy an array of food and drinks or grab a photo with longtime Food Fight supporter Titus O'Neil. The competition between the two teams will be divided into several rounds where the chefs will have to create various entrees using secret ingredients. St. Pete has taken home the trophy over last several years, so only time will tell if Tampa finally secures a dub in 2024. Tampabayfoodfight.org Pinellas TacoFest For one flavorful weekend the Pinellas TacoFest will occupy England Brothers Park in St. Petersburg to showcase a variety of food trucks, live music and vendors. From Jan. 27-28 the park will be alive with sounds of live music and aromas of local Mexican fare, offering a chance to taste Tampa Bay’s best tacos, hot sauces and frozen drinks. On Saturday the festival will host a competition for Best Taco in Tampa Bay where attendees can vote for their favorites in categories like chicken, beef, pork, veggie, seafood and “other.” Bonus awards will be given in categories like “Most Creative” and “Most Craveable.” Then on Sunday put on your stretchy pants for the taco eating competition, where participants will eat as many tacos as they can in three minutes and one victor will take home a $100 cash prize. The family-friendly event also features live music from The 727 Band, Greg Woodruff and LongNeck Band. 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. @pinellastacofest on Facebook—Suzanne Townsend ICYMI

Tampa Bay brewery among 2024 James Beard award semifinalists One of the most (if not the most) prestigious accolades for up-and coming American chefs, bakers, sommeliers and restaurateurs around the country is a James Beard award—and the organization just announced its latest crop of semifinalists. Earlier this week, The James Beard Foundation released 2024's semifinalist list, but only one Tampa Bay concept made the cut. Webb's City Cellar—Green Bench Brewing's neighboring bar and tasting room in St. Pete—has been nominated for "Outstanding Bar." Although Webb's City Cellar is the only local James Beard semifinalist this year, a variety of bakeries, chefs and restaurants in other Florida cities made the cut, including Orlando's contemporary Filipino eatery Kaya snagging a nomination for "Best New Restaurant" and Miami's Zak the Baker up for "Best Bakery." The entire 2024 “Restaurant and Chef Awards” semifinalist list can be browsed on the foundation's website, with a majority of Florida’s nominations located under "Best Chef: South." jamesbeard.org

Three Tampa Bay restaurants listed among Yelp's 2024 'Top 100 Places to Eat' in the U.S. Earlier this week, Yelp released its annual list of the "Top 100 Places to Eat" in the nation, and three Tampa Bay restaurants made the cut. To come up with the list, the popular crowd-sourced review website says it reviewed user submissions, ratings, the overall number of reviews, and then finalized everything with their local "Community Managers." In the end, Florida had 13 restaurants make the Top 100. Only California had more restaurants included on the list, with 18. The top ranking restaurant in Tampa Bay was Mio’s Grill & Cafe (119 2nd St. N) in St. Petersburg, which came in at No. 12 in the nation. "Don’t miss the “absolute fire” baba ganoush, “smooth and garlicky” hummus, “moist and flavorful” falafel, and “hands down the best” Greek salad in town," said Yelp. This isn't the first time Mio's has made the Yelp Top 100 List. Last year, the Mediterranean spot was ranked No. 14. Bayshore Mediterranean Grill (6102 S MacDill Ave.) in Tampa also made the list, with a No. 75 ranking. And finally, out in Oldsmar, Shaker & Peel (3159 Curlew Rd.) came in at No. 80.—Colin Wolf

Local dough slingers Pete’s Bagels took to Instagram this week to announce its latest expansion plans, which include a larger production facility in St. Pete and a new pick-up window in Gulfport. Both its Gulfport and OG St. Pete shop will also boast coffee programs like its cafe in Ybor City. Pete’s Bagel’s has yet another new location on the horizon, a 326 square-foot drive-thru bagel shop that will soon open out of an historic gas station on the corner of 4th St. S and 25th Ave. in The 'Burg.

Ybor City’s Gasparilla Distillery & Cocktail Bar ( 2102 E 4th Ave.) celebrates its sixth anniversary next month with live music, an open bar with craft rums and vodka and “light snacks to help soak up the spirits.” Tickets to attend the distillery’s anniversary party on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. run for $30 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

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