Grilled. Cheese. Fest. (Oh, and two events with some vegan stuff.) 'Nuff said.
Wanna drink your breakfast for dinner? Sure ya do. Head to the Special Beer Release of Right Around the Corner's newest creation. Spoiler alert: It's a French toast porter. This Friday event runs from 4 p.m. to midnight. Free, money for beer. 2244 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 813-360-0766.
On Saturday, the first Pop-Up showcase for Alévri Marketplace is set for Blue Sage Eco Boutique from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Down dozens of vegan goodies from the popular Greek-American fusion purveyor, as well as what are called "treat boxes." Similar to grab bags, the boxes feature a guest's choice of three to four treats. The first 10 customers receive a gift with their purchase. Free, money for food. 6202 N. Central Ave., Tampa.
Generation Entertainment’s Grilled Cheese Fest, which bills itself as the OG (yes, we’ve got more than one grilled cheese festival here in Tampa Bay), returns on Saturday with 15-plus grub slingers — the host of the event, Burger Culture, included. Other vendors that’ll dish cheesy, ooey-gooey goodness between noon and 6 p.m. are Mr. C’s Grilled Cheese, Bay Street Burgers, Craving Donuts, Mother Truckin Good and Dave’s Jukebox Diner. Expect non-food vendors on-site as well. Free, money for food. 6920 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-992-7444.
The region's two Fuzzy's locations in Brandon and Temple Terrace are about to go full Sunday Funday. Throughout the Brunch Bonanza — hosted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday — Bottomless mimosas for $12, a $4.99 special called the Big Fuzz Burrito (stuffed with culinary magic, we're sure), and $1-off breakfast plates. Free, money for food and drinks. 2874 Providence Lakes Blvd., Brandon, 813-324-7177.
Beloved dishes, but made veg- and celiac-friendly. Three recipes are in the spotlight during the social, educational Gluten-Free & Vegan Cooking Class: veggie lasagna (a quick meal with little prep that's sure to warm you to the bone, 'specially now), vegan hash (this one's great as an app or side dish), and peach and mixed berry cobbler (for dessert, of course). Participants receive complimentary wine, cider and dinner — in the form of what's prepared during class, which runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday and has a group-style format. Limited to 10 people, seating is first come, first served; tickets are up online. Contact Laura McCutcheon at laura@halelifebakery.com with questions. $55. 3350 Ulmerton Road #13, Clearwater, 727-265-3372.
This article appears in Jan 11-18, 2018.