Want to avoid the impending pirate invasion of Tampa? Start with these five weekend food and drink picks.
Make the drive down to downtown Sarasota for the Babylonstoren Winemaker Dinner, part of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals' Forks & Corks celebration, starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Guests will clink glasses with friends while enjoying a high-end multicourse meal from The Bijou Café. South Africa's Babylonstoren winery is spotlighted in the wine pairings. Reservations can be made by phone. $130. 1287 First St., Sarasota, 941-366-8111.
In Odessa, get to the annual Old Florida Food and Folk Festival for a fun mix of food, art music and culture — Florida style. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, festgoers will enjoy highlights like tours of the Cee Bee's Citrus groves, cooking demonstrations and freshly made barbecue during the event, now in its third year. The Crackerbillys, Patchwook and The Salty Dog will provide the tunes throughout the day. The fest's collected donations will benefit the Boy Scouts of America's Camp Brorein, located next door to Cee Bee's. Free, money for food. 6907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, 813-792-9856.
Got a sweet tooth? No problem. Indulge a little (or a lot) at Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival II between noon and 5 p.m. Saturday. Hosted at Tampa's Gaither High School, the gathering is sure to provide a hefty sugar rush, thanks to more than 30 local food trucks and vendors serving up chocolatey entrees, desserts and drinks. Chocolate lovers can expect treats from OMG! Pretzel Bites, KC's Crepes, Craving Donuts, Jolly Porker and others. Proceeds from parking, which costs $5, will benefit the Gaither band program. Free, money for food and drinks. 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.
Unwind with a morning Yoga on Tap session in St. Petersburg. Participants are invited to join the Body Electric Yoga Company crew from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday at The Bikery for an all-levels-welcome flow class, held every last Sunday of the month. Cyclist or not, folks should also grab a caffeinated beverage (cold brew. anyone?) from the bike shop's craft coffee bar afterward. Advanced tickets can be purchased online, but they'll be at the door as well. $10 in advance, $15 at the door; $5 for Body Electric members. 222 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-490-9361.
The Rapp Brewing Chili Competition #3 is set for 3 p.m. Sunday. To enter, guests should bring at least 2 quarts of their best chili creations for sampling (there's no entry free, and participants will also receive two free beer tickets). Everyone at the Seminole craft brewery is invited to help judge the entries at 6 p.m., and prizes will go to the first, second and third place chilis chosen by popular vote. And PS: Bowls, spoons and power will be provided to competitors — just bring a serving spoon and rest. Free, money for beer. 10930 Endeavor Way, Seminole, 727-544-1752.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2017.