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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / APRIL 6, 2023
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1.ItalianFoodCompanyExpresswon BestAppetizerwithitsdelectablepizza altaglio.2.OfftheHookChurrascaria,ofIslamorada,wonthePeople’s ChoiceattheTasteofIslamoradaduringIslandFest.3.KeysChocolatesand IceCreamwowedcrowdsattheraces withtheirwatercraft“S.S.KeysChocolates,”whichtookthecoveted“Lucky DuckyAdmiralAward.”CONTRIBUTED
ISLAND FEST INVIGORATES ISLAMORADA TASTE OF ISLAMORADA HITS THE TASTE BUDS CAROLYN DePAULA www.keysweekly.com
Nominated for Best Festival/Event by Keys Weekly’s Best of Upper Keys, Island Fest continued to delight young and old alike on April 1-2. Festival goers enjoyed family-friendly activities, food, drinks and art at Founders Park beach. Foodies were keen to sample a showcase of Florida Keys cuisine with the aptly named “A Taste of Islamorada,” where several restaurants competed for two days for prizes, with dishes spanning many regions around the world. Judges had the difficult task as they tasted the offerings. Judging by the ever-present small crowd at the Off the Hook Churrascaria booth, it was no surprise the People’s Choice Award went to Off the Hook for its selection of chorizo tacos, picanha, churrasco, Maine Lobster bisque and their prime cut steak, homemade pork sausage and mojo glazed baby back ribs.
There were some new faces to the Taste of Islamorada this year, which surprised the judges with their creative and innovative fare. Saylor Ashton’s Sunrise Grill and Big Daddy’s Grub and Beach Pub, whose grand opening was just a few weeks ago, took the Best Soup category with a fire-roasted red pepper shrimp chowder. Newcomer Italian Food Company Express snagged the Best Appetizer category with its delectable pizza al taglio, while Shima took home the prize for Best Entrée for its pork belly fried rice. Not content with winning one award, Shima also nabbed a second award, the sweetest award, Best Dessert, with the nutty goodness of its pistachio tiramisu. The cacio de pepe at Italian Food Company Express’ A Taste of Rome booth didn’t win any prizes this year, but it was popular among attendees. The meal is a hot, house-made pasta tossed within a fresh pecorino romano cheese wheel and flavored with black peppercorns. Stretched out across the field were art booths at the Plantation Yacht Harbor Arts & Crafts Show, which held more than 80 skilled artisans. Winner of Best of Show was South Florida artist Stephanie Lavender, whose collec-
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305-257-9351 | Open 7 Days a Week | 10am - 8 pm 532 Duval St ∙ Key West, FL 33040 ∙ 305-735-4380 431 Front St. Unit 4 ∙ Key West, FL 33040 ∙ 305-257-9351 211-A Duval St. ∙ Key West, FL 33040 ∙ 305-735-4230 10875 Overseas Hwy Suite 110 ∙ Marathon, FL 33050 ∙ 305-453-6597
3 tion of highly dimensional, textural, tropical-inspired fine art had already earned her numerous awards. Lavender incorporates glass with cork, moss, shells, mushrooms and corals in her art. Also honored at the art show was Sherry Whorl, Florida-based stained glass artist of Classic Glass Studios, who took home the Most Creative Artisan award for her one-of-a-kind stained glass art. On April 1, children enjoyed a rousing “What Floaties Your Boat?” race, where the youngest sailors proved their mettle while taking their homemade creations on the water right at Founders Park beach. Children also
got to participate in hula-hoop contests, added decorations to a life-sized dolphin sculpture, and had the fun and awe of meeting and greeting a real-life mermaid, and posing for pictures. Competition was fierce at “What Floats Your Boat?” — the adult version of the homemade boat race that brought together local nonprofits, businesses and organizations. Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream wowed crowds at the races with their watercraft “S.S. Keys Chocolates,” which took the coveted “Lucky Ducky Admiral Award.” — Visit keysweekly.com for the full story.