PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Taste of the Beaches is back for its 18th year, offering $10 dishes at 51 participating restaurants to help bring business to beach communities during one of the year’s slowest times.
The annual food event gives people a chance to try meals along the coast while reminding locals about the restaurants in the area.
At Trade Winds Island Resort, sous chef Mitch McDermott said he wants his dish to stand out.
“We’re just keeping it simple, just to give that traditional, authentic flavor of a real tinga,” McDermott said.
McDermott, who is native to the area, went to culinary school in Miami and originally thought he would stay there. He said COVID brought him back home.
“At the time, I wasn’t sure for what type of reasons, but it seems to have all worked out,” McDermott said.
The event has changed over the years from a festival setting to a ticket-based format where people visit participating restaurants. McDermott said that change has helped both businesses and the surrounding community.
“The taste is not only benefiting the restaurants but also benefiting the community around here,” McDermott said.
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber President and CEO Charlie Justice said the event gives restaurants exposure during a slower season and encourages people to return.
“They get to see the atmosphere, they get to try some other dishes, and then they’ve discovered how incredible it is,” Justice said. “And they come back the next week, the week after that.”
McDermott said he hopes Taste of the Beaches continues for years to come and draws more local customers.
“We hope that we’re always going to be involved with the taste, and we hope it brings a lot more local business,” McDermott said. “I want everybody local, whether you just moved here and you’re living locally or you’re born and raised here, come check us out.”
The event is underway and runs through the 11th.
A portion of proceeds this year will benefit Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside.
Dining and Cooking