Beard by the Bay, an event created to celebrate the culinary greatness of the Tampa Bay region’s finest chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, is returning to Tampa, in October, for the first time since 2019.
The official James Beard Foundation Event, organized by RSBP Events+PR, will be a multi-course tasting event on Sunday, October 29, at Willa’s, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A full list of participants is below.
“This year, Beard by the Bay brings a touch of retro glamour with the theme of Disco Supper Club,” says Brooke Palmer Kuhl, owner of RSBP Events+PR. “Picture yourself grooving to the sounds of George Benson on vintage vinyl, sipping on your favorite libations and savoring the most delectable dishes.”
A portion of the evening’s proceeds directly benefit the James Beard Foundation via Bespoke Collective Charities, a newly established Tampa nonprofit that supports charities in the culinary arts, pediatric cancer and animal welfare.
Participating experts include:
● Birchwood Inn – Lee Aquino
● Boulon – Hab Hamde, Sophie Moss and Heather Rivas
● Brick & Mortar/ Seaworthy – Jason Ruhe and Dylan Ruhe
● Cena – Michael Buttacavoli
● Cellar Masters- Ryan Ruggs
● Chef & the Baker – Ricardo Rivera and Rosana Rivera
● Cru Hospitality Group – Ricardo Nava and Jennifer Bingham
● Epicurean Hotel – Jon Atanacio
● Little Lamb – James Renew
● Grace – Jason Lutzk
● Hellion Hospitality – Adam Polisei
● II Ritorno – David Benstock
● Jamison B. Breadhouse Bakes- Jason Laukhuf
● Koya – Eric Fralick
● Lilac /The Edition – Josh Werksman, Tural Husanov and Amber Carregal
● Mise en Place, Marty Blitz
● Meat Market – Sean Brasel
● Next Level Brands – Summer Bailey
● Oak & Ola – Anne Kearney
● Parkshore Grill – Tyson Grant
● Ponte – Chris Ponte and Paul Morrison
● Proper House Group – Ferrell Alvarez
● Restaurant BT- BT Nguyen
● Rocca – Bryce Bonsack
● Sacred Pepper – James Maita
● Seminole Hard Rock Tampa – Matthew Zappoli
● Social Roost – Susan Burdian
● Sonata – Ted Dorsey
● Supernatural – Wesley Roderick
● The Big Easy, Daniel Bareswit
● Wild Child – Rob Reinsmith
● Webster Barnes- Eric Renaud
● Willa’s – Gabe Lopez and Matt Veronesi
Further details, including ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, can be found on the official event website, www.beardbythebay.com.