Restaurant field full for Taste of Beach
The food sampling providers for Estero Island’s largest food festival have been locked up nearly three weeks in advance.
The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 20th annual Taste of the Beach & Bayfront Blues Festival has a complete field of participating restaurants for its event to be held along Old San Carlos Boulevard on Sunday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first-come, first serve procedure netted 16 early responders after Beach Observer deadline on Tuesday, April 14.
The 2015 “Taste” will feature Royal Scoop FMB, The Beach Pierside Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Fish Monger Restaurant, Pinchers Crab Shack, Island View Restaurant at Lani Kai Resort, Hurricane Tina’s Beach Bar & Grille, Lehne Burger, Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery, Skip One Seafood, Pink Shell Beach Resort’s Bongo’s Bar and Grill, Yucatan Beach Stand, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill and Beach Bums, Nemo’s on the Beach and Castaways Bar & Grill.
“While the Taste of the Beach always fills up with restaurants, we are extremely excited that it has done so this year, so far in advance of its May 3rd date. A number of the newer, specialty restaurants and older established venues that hadn’t participated before jumped in fast to ensure that they weren’t left out,” said Taste of the Beach Chairperson David Anderson. “I only wish that we could expand the space to take everyone. It is going to be a great day for visitors to the beach to try the amazing food. I’ve heard that someone is talking “Lobster Roll.” I’m jumping in there.”
The participating Chamber member restaurants will serve samples of their best signature dishes that will be available for purchase. They will also compete for awards in six categories: best appetizer, best seafood, best beef/veal dish, best chicken, best ‘lighter fare’ and best dessert. The top Decorated Booth and People’s Choice will also be awarded. Winners will be announced from the stage at 4 p.m.
A panel of celebrity off-island judges is currently being assembled for the tastings behind closed doors. Food tickets cost $1 each. Cash is the preferred measure of payment at the event. ATM machines will be available.
The food fest will include a live on-stage concert featuring Jo List & Friends at the site.
Festival grounds will be set up between Third and First streets on Old San Carlos Boulevard. This marks the third straight year that the island’s main food festival occurs in the BayWalk area. Admission to the 2015 Taste is a suggested donation of $5 for adults and children over 12. All children under age 12 will be admitted free.
The fan-favorite server competition will again be held in the parking lot at the corner of Old San Carlos Boulevard and Third Street. Three-person teams will fight for bragging rights and cash. Last year, first-place winners received $75 apiece, while second place pocketed $50 per server and third took home $25 per person.
The event will act as a fundraiser for the Greater Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts. The Beach Chamber will share beer sales revenue with the 501C(3) group, which may also offer 50/50 raffles to support their mission to facilitate and fund arts presentations in the greater Fort Myers Beach area.
A limited amount of vendors have been invited to sell their wares.
Sponsorship support includes The Pink Shell – Beach Resort & Marina, The News Press Media Group, Gator Country 103.9FM, Tanger Outlet of Fort Myers, Bruno Air Conditioning and KeyWest Express. Smokin’ Oyster Brewery will again sponsor the server competition, while Suncoast Beverage Sales is sponsoring the beer tent.
The Beach Chamber is seeking sponsorship for its judging, entertainment stage, dining tent and water/beverage tent. If interested, send an email to sales@fmbchamber.com .
Go to www.tasteoffortmyersbeach.com to download an application or find more information regarding the event. If your organization or business would like to become a sponsor, vendor or participating restaurant, contact Georgia Reinmuth at 395-5878 (ext. 2) or email georgia@paradesign.us .