Five ways to make the most of your weekend using food and drink. And more mac and cheese.
Get the weekend going with craft beer by making the drive to Land O' Lakes for the inaugural Golden Growler Award and Tap Takeover, hosted from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Party Liquors. Guests sample a lineup of 12 beers from Green Bench Brewing Co., Escape Brewing Company, Funky Buddha Brewery and Founders Brewing Co., including the Baja Goofy Footed Wheat, Pineapple Beach Blonde and Chocolate Milky Love Milk Stout. Beer fans then vote for their favorite brewery by buying a growler fill. Free, money for beer. 2410 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, 813-803-7207.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Vintage Wine Cellars is giving locals A Taste of Italy. This wine tasting is set to showcase the country's legendary craft of winemaking with samples of three whites and seven reds, all paired with authentic Italian bites. Reservations are appreciated. $15. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-879-2931.
Indulge in a comfort food classic during the Mayor's Mac & Cheese Throwdown. Held annually at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park between 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, the friendly food competition tasks local restaurants — which include Ulele, Holy Hog Barbecue, Hot Mess Cafe, Yeoman's Cask & Lion and Skipper's Smokehouse — with creating delectable takes on mac 'n' cheese for a crowd taste test. Craft beer, wine and live music are also offered, and sampling tickets can be purchased at the event the day of. Free, money for food and drinks. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
For its Annual Pig Roast, Kahuna's Bar & Grill has a spread of summertime grub in store. Expect smoked hog, barbecue chicken, pulled pork and a variety of complementary side dishes, plus live tunes, giveaways and a raffle. The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, but dinner is served at 6. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 10515 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg, 727-576-7800.
Learn to prepare a Raw 3-Course Meal at Nature's Food Patch starting at 4 p.m. Sunday. Instructor and chef Brad Myers shows participants how to whip up raw pasta with a savory red sauce, Thai coconut curry soup and "chocavonana" pudding. Mmm. Free. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703.
This article appears in Apr 27 – May 4, 2017.