Florida Foodie Alert! Clearwater Beach Uncorked is Feb. 6 – 7, 2016

Datz, a Cater in Tampa, Cooked Up a Bacon Bar Featuring Oscar Mayer Bacon, During Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Feb. 7, 2015
Clearwater Beach Uncorked is Feb. 6 – 7, 2016
Clearwater Beach Uncorked is Feb. 6 – 7, 2016

‘Tis the season to dive into Florida food festival season and I’m looking forward to the fifth annual Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Feb. 6 – 7, 2016. Kick off your shoes and dip your toes in the powder soft sand of Clearwater Beach while enjoying hours of grazing on delicious bites, sipping wine and craft brews, learning from local chefs, and sampling new food products while looking through a Beer & Wine Guide to learn more about each item. The gastronomical event takes place on the gorgeous beach of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa.

Bacon Bar by Datz of Tampa - Clearwater Beach Uncorked Food, Wine & Beer Festival, Feb. 7, 2015
Bacon Bar by Datz of Tampa – Clearwater Beach Uncorked Food, Wine & Beer Festival, Feb. 7, 2015

Last year I had a delicious time and probably spent way too much time hovering around the Bacon Bar. Oh yes, my friends. The Bacon Bar featured Oscar Mayer Bacon prepared by Datz, a catering company in Tampa and served up bacon in flavors of chocolate, peanut butter and jelly, espresso and maple. I know it was really bad for me but it was mighty delicious. I sure hope it returns to Uncorked in 2016!

What to Expect at Clearwater Beach Uncorked

Dogfish Head Beer - Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
Dogfish Head Beer – Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Come Hungry and Thirsty
Indulge on tasty bites served up by local eateries and a wide variety of beverages to wash it all down. You’ll be given a wine glass to enjoy craft beer, wine from more than 100 wineries, and plenty of non-alcoholic varietals to keep you hydrated. Some vendors will be introducing new products and it’s an opportunity to speak with them to learn more about their origins, process and inspiration.

Oscar Mayer Weinermobile! Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
Oscar Mayer Weinermobile! Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Sample-palooza
Food festivals are an opportunity for companies to introduce new products and for established brands to reinforce relationships with consumers. Many will be on hand during Clearwater Beach Uncorked giving away sample sizes and coupons. Last year I recall samples from Nutella, Shelia G’s Brownie Brittle , and Jarlsberg cheese.

Emily Ellyn at the Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
Emily Ellyn at the Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Be Prepared for Culinary Inspiration
I love cooking and enjoyed demos by professional chefs. This year, several Publix Apron Cooking School chefs will present along with Joseph DiPaolo, Principal Chef – Duncan Hines, and the Retro Rad Chef Emily Ellyn. Arrive early for a seat and stick around to sample their culinary creations.

Shoe Check - Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
Shoe Check – Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

A Fab Time, Florida Style
The foodie event takes place under a huge white tent on the beach. Before entering, kick off those shoes and plop them at the Shoe Check and step barefoot on Clearwater Beach’s soft sand. Hey, it’s Florida. Barefoot on the sand is what we like to do.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Lots of Foodies
Along with your appetite, be sure to bring your patience because thousands of people attend and depending on the time of day, you may need to wait a few minutes in line to sample something. The good thing is, you already have something in common with everyone attending – you’re admiration for food, wine and/or beer!

What a View! Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
What a View! Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Purchasing a Ticket Means You’ll Be Doing Good
A percentage of Clearwater Beach Uncorked ticket sales will benefit the USF Sarasota-Manatee College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership students in the form of enhanced educational activities and scholarships.

SHOR Served Tacos at Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015
SHOR Served Tacos at Clearwater Beach Uncorked, Food, Wine & Beer Festival. Clearwater Beach, Florida, Feb. 7, 2015

Be Responsible
If you’re planning on fully enjoying the flowing libations during Clearwater Beach Uncorked, drink responsibly and/or, bring a designated driver.

Nuts & Bolts
For those staying the weekend, enjoy an exclusive pre-Valentine’s Day VIP rate at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach and Shephard’s Beach Resort just for Clearwater Beach Uncorked attendees.

Sound delish? Food, wine and beer sampling is all inclusive in the ticket price. Visit ClearwaterBeachUncorked.com for additional information including ticket information.

Hope to see you there. Cheers!

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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