Sunshine Matters

May marks the second anniversary of VISIT FLORIDA’s partnership with the WCTV Good Morning Show in Tallahassee to spotlight celebrity chefs from around the state. VISIT FLORIDA’s PR staff has now arranged for dozens of chefs to come from all points in Florida to showcase the foods that set the Sunshine State apart. 

Food Network Extreme Chef winner Chef Amadeus from Jacksonville kicked off the the series in May 2012.  Picking a favorite from his Freedom Road Recipe book and sprinkling in some secret spices from his own line of condiments, he created a healthy twist on a traditional catfish sandwich.

Datil peppers, the hot and haute veggies grown primarily in St. Augustine, were the basis for a spicy-sweet dipping sauce used for smoked pulled pork egg rolls.  St Augustine’s fifth generation French chef Stephane Poinard from Bistro de Leon introduced viewers to a favorite from his restaurant.

Chef Paul Mattison from Sarasota’s Mattison’s Restaurant proved that caviar isn’t only for the elite.  Mattison regularly offers cooking demonstrations, culinary tours and wine-pairings using farm-produced local Mote Marine Caviar in a sumptuous sauce on crepe parmentier with wild salmon. 

David Sloan, author of The Key Lime Pie Cookbook, whipped up his specialty Key Lime pie recipes, and Robert Stoky from the Sundowners in Key Largo wowed the anchors with pickled shrimp and onion encrusted mahi with mango salsa.

Curtis Beebe from the Pearl in the Grove Restaurant in Dade City, which features farm-to-fork cooking, shared his kumquat holiday recipe. Dade City is so proud of these native miniature orange fruits that in December it holds a Kumquat Festival.

Some of the other chefs and their dishes featured over the years include:

* Hilton Sandestin Beach Chef Dan Vargo, Executive Chef of Seagar’s: Pan Roasted Scampi, Grilled Gulf Shrimp, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and a Warm Pepper Coulis

* Daven Wardynski, Executive Chef at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort: Banana Bread Pancakes

* Chef Jeremy Ford, 3030 Ocean at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: Sashimi of Wahoo with Savoy Cabbage Salad, Pecans, White Truffle Aioli and Aged Sherry Vinaigrette

*Chef Ben Schneller, Southernmost Beach Café in Key West: Maine Lobster Cake Benedict

* Chef Eric Jungklaus, Tony’s Seafood Restaurant: Tony’s Cedar Key Clam Chowder

* Robert J. Ciborowski, Executive Chef, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort: Free-Form Lasagna

VISIT FLORIDA and WCTV are prepping now for our third season together.  The Celebrity Chef opportunity is open to all media and Industry Partners.  To learn more, please contact me at 850-205-3827 or pforrester@VISITFLORIDA.org.