Tampa Bay Sports

Hey everyone.  Travis back with some interesting Tampa Bay sports news, and a request for help.  Each year, SportsTravel presents awards for the World's best sporting events, and they are all based on votes...which is where you come in!  We need everyone to vote for the sporting event Tampa Bay hosted - the 2009 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament. 

Voting is now open for the 2010 SportsTravel Awards, so you can head there now!  It takes less than two minutes to cast your vote for Tampa Bay to have one of the world's best sporting events.
 
You just have to go to www.SportsTravelMagazine.com and click on the "SportsTravel Awards" button. Voting is open now through September 13, 2010.

That's all it takes, so help out Tampa Bay and cast your vote today! 

And as always, keep checking back here for more great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events.  

 

Hey Tampa Bay, Alex here to tell you about the chef’s responsible for creating some of the fabulous dishes that will be featured during Tampa’s Restaurant Week. 

Tampa Bay is home to a long list of prestigious chefs, known for preparing a variety of fabulous food! Below is a list of a few that will be participating in Tampa’s Restaurant Week.

Kiel Lombardo- Executive Chef, Roy's Tampa
Growing up in upstate New York, Kiel Lombardo watched his uncle and father dish out a nightly feast for their big Italian family. At the age of 15, Kiel took his first job as a prep cook at a local Italian bistro. He later went on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at New Hampshire College, and now he is the Executive Chef at Roy’s Tampa. Kiel is responsible for overseeing the menu that features Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine.


Jason Maddens- Executive Chef, Jackson's Bistro
Jason Maddens left his studies in Aerospace Engineering at West Virginia University in 2003 to pursue a career in cooking. Upon graduation from Washington D.C.'s prestigious L' Academie de Cuisine, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, he began his training at 2941 Restaurant in Washington D. C, becoming a sous chef after two years. Leaving the D. C. area in 2007, his travels have taken him to every corner of the European continent, as well as his own country. Chef Madden’s newest tenure has begun at downtown Tampa’s well-know Jacksons Bistro, Bar & Sushi. A sous chef since April 2008, Chef Jason has recently assumed control of the 20,000 square foot facility as Executive Chef.


Marty Blitz- Owner/Proprietor/Head Chef, Mise En Place
As a young adult, New York native Marty Blitz owner and head chief, apprenticed under European-trained Master Chef Milos Cihelka at the Golden Mushroom, a well-known restaurant outside Detroit, through the prestigious American Culinary Federation. Blitz's career actually began though, at age 12 when he started working in his neighborhood Jewish delicatessen. Blitz has since spent his nearly 30 years in the industry expanding a culinary repertoire that now includes the Southeast’s many cultures and flavors. Under his guidance Mise en Place’ expanded both its catering business and its in-house capabilities growing from  six-table diner in 1986 to its current evolution as a full-service restaurant seating up to 240 people and preparing as many as a 1,000 meals in an evening.



Gabriel Silva- Executive Chef, The Palm Restaurant
Executive Chef, Gabriel Silva was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. He moved to South Florida where he attended Florida Culinary Institute in Palm Beach County and graduated at the top of his class in 1992. While in Palm Beach, Chef Gabriel worked as an Executive Sous Chef for 4 and 5 star hotels such as the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, Sheraton City Place and The Breakers Hotel. Gabriel he joined the Palm team as Sous Chef in 2004 and was promoted to Executive Chef in January 2008.


Fabrizio Schenardi- Executive Chef, Pelagia Trattoria
Fabrizio Schenardi, executive chef of the Tampa Bay fine dining restaurant Pelagia Trattoria, first honed his culinary and pastry skills while studying and training in Italy, where he learned the essence of Italian cuisine. A native of Rivoli, Italy, Schenardi incorporates flavors from his homeland into many of his most popular dishes at our Tampa Airport Restaurant. Diners enjoy his creativity daily at Pelagia Trattoria, a one-of-a-kind Tampa Bay fine dining experience that adjoins the Four Diamond- rated Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza.



Kory Foltz- Chef de Cuisine, Oystercatchers 
Kory Foltz has been in the foodservice industry for over 15 years, five of which has been with Hyatt Corporation. Prior to accepting the position as Chef de Cuisine at Oystercatchers, his work at the Grand Hyatt Tampa has included Chef de Cuisine Petey Brown's, acting Banquet Chef, as well as working in every outlet of the hotel.

 

Shane Schaibly-Director of Food and Beverage, The Melting Pot
Shane Schaibly is the Director of Food and Beverage for The Melting Pot restaurants. On the culinary side, Shane is responsible for overseeing the research and development and cost planning for all of The Melting Pot’s menu offerings.  He creates and assists in the procurement of all new menu items for The Melting Pot’s signature Big Night Out menu, which changes every March and September and is loosely themed around a different region of the world each time.  He works closely with The Melting Pot’s vendor partners and research and development chefs to ensure that the fondue chain is putting out more than exceptional food every time!


Chad Johnson- Executive Chef, SideBern's
Johnson, who has been at the helm of SideBern's since 2007, has been featured in USA Today, the Tampa Tribune, Boca Raton Magazine, Florida Living Magazine and was a finalist in the 2008 Copa Jerez Sherry Pairing Competition. At SideBern’s, Johnson focuses on serving guests products that are locally sources(within an hour and a half from the restaurant) and emphasizes seasonal, premium ingredients. Her prepares them using modern cooking techniques that highlight the ingredient’s inherent flavors and this is what continues to keep guests returning.


 
Chef John Saxton- Executive Chef, Urban Culinary Cuisine
John Saxton, Executive Chef at Urban Culinary Cuisine Café, has always had a passion for great food. John was once a Chef's Apprentice, learning from Chefs from around the world, at the infamous "Windows On The World" on the 107th Floor of the World Trade Center in NYC. He was asked by Barbara Smith to assist her in developing her first restaurant, B. Smith's, located on 8th Avenue in NYC. Johns extensive career and passion for food has led him to open Urban Culinary Cuisne Café. Known simply as “Chef” by the locals, his experience has influenced the development of his own signature menu ranging from “u[scale cuisine” to “southern comfort food” to very sensual desserts.


Daniel Desmond- Executive Chef, Saddlebrook Resort
Daniel Desmond, Executive Chef at Saddlebrook Resort since 1998, is responsible for all resort restaurants, menu creation, nutritional needs for the resort's sports program and private school as well as a staff of over 70 people.
Chef Daniel is heavily involved in all aspects of the resort’s signature restaurant.  Dempsey’s Steak House, Tropics Restaurant and Lounge, The Poolside Café and Bar, The Coffee Bar, the resorts Pasty Shop, as well as the Banquet Kitchen, which prepares all banquet meals for meeting groups as well as social events at Saddlebrook.


Mark Heimann- Executive Chef, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club 
The Vinoy Executive Chef graduated from the Kendall Culinary School in Chicago and held several culinary positions throughout the Chicago area before joining the Vinoy in May of 1995.  As the Executive Chef of the award-winning historic hotel. Mark oversees the Vinoy's five superior restaurants, each featuring its own unique ambiance and cuisine, from the resort's signature dining room of Marchand's Bar & Grill to the more casual Alfresco. Also responsible for the resort's award-winning banquet department, Chef Heimann hosts extravagant gatherings with an imaginative culinary style that has become a Vinoy trademark.

 
Jonathon Luft- Executive Chef, InterContinental Tampa
After discovering a passion for cooking while watching his grandmother growing up, Jonathan Luft has amassed over 15 years of experience cooking in luxury resorts and properties across the country. As Executive Chef at InterContinental Tampa, Luft has elevated the level of fine dining at one of Tampa’s best steak houses and the city’s newest luxury hotel. He came to Tampa to take the helm of Shula’s Steak House and InterContinental Tampa after the restaurant and hotel underwent an $18 million dollar revitalization. Luft has enjoyed re-establishing Shula’s as an area favorite serving specialties such as fresh seafood, heavenly desserts and the Shula’s Cite, which less than 2% of all steaks qualify for.




Gerado Bayona- Corporate Chef, Columbia Restaurant
Geraldo is the Corporate Chef for the Columbia Restaurant Group. He is based out of the flagship Columbia Restaurant in Tampa's Historic District of Ybor City. He was named Corporate Chef in 2005, and works closely with all the Columbia Restaurants to assure that the family's century old recipes, ingredients and food meet Columbia Restaurant's high standards while at the same time creating new recipes and keeping up with the food trends.



Ben Bowman- Executive Chef, Mitchell's Fish Market
Executive Chef Ben Bowman attended the Columbus College of Art and Design from 1996-2000 and has 15 years of experience in the restaurant business under his belt. His journey includes eight years with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants of Columbus, Ohio.



Kelly Marshall- Executive Chef, Wyndham Tampa Westshore
Executive Chef Kelly Marshall has been cooking professionally for fifteen years and has spent five of those years at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore (formerly known as the Quorum Hotel Tampa) overseeing the Blue Water Grill restaurant and catering operations for their 12,000 square feet of banquet space.


Now that you know who is responsible for cooking your food at some of Tampa’s local restaurants, why don’t you go give it a try during Tampa Bay's Restaurant Week 2010, which will be in Tampa from August 29- September 6, 2010.

Check back often for updates on Tampa Bay dining and where to eat in Tampa Bay!
 

Hey everyone!  Travis back with some great Tampa Bay entertainment options for you.  And believe me, this one is going to be delicious!!! 

The Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Cafe are partnering to bring you A Taste of History. Beginning in September, three culinary workshops will teach you how to prepare three of the Columbia Restaurant's signature dishes, along with learning about the origins and stories behind these recipes.

September 8th -  The Columbia's Original "1905" SaladTM
September 15th - Columbia's Cuban Sandwich
September 22nd - Columbia Sangria & Bread Pudding

Andrew Huse, USF Librarian and author of The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating 100 Years of History, Culture and Cuisine, will begin each program with the history of each dish and how it evolved over time.
 
Under the direction of the Columbia Cafe's Executive Chef, you'll then build your own Cuban Sandwich, mix your own "1905" SaladTM and stir your own batch of red sangria.
 
A Taste of History begins Wednesday, September 8th at 6:00 p.m. in TECO Hall, at the Tampa Bay History Center on the Riverwalk in Tampa.

Cost for each individual session is $35 for Tampa Bay History Center members and $40 for non-members.   Registration for the three-workshop series is $95 for members and $110 for non-members.  

You better sign up though, because seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, and for more information, contact Visitor Services at (813) 228-0097 ext. 0.

Enjoy your time...how could you not????  And keep checking back here for more great things to do in Tampa Bay! 
 

Hey Tampa Bay, Alex here to tell all of you poker players about the Deion Sanders Poker Tournament coming to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this Thursday, August 5, 2010.

Deion Sanders, a former NFL cornerback, Major League Baseball outfielder, Florida State University athletic legend and NFL Network sports commentator is hosting a NO Limit Texas Hold ‘em single table tournament, with a prize package totaling $2,000 on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 9p.m. – Limited media red carpet interviews from 8:30-9p.m.

All participants will receive a football autographed by Sanders. Seats are now on sale for $250 buy in, at Seminole Hard Rock Casino Poker Room. You must be 18 years or older with proper ID to play.

Prizes include: $1,000 for first place winner, $600 for second place, and $400 for third place.
 

1. Who holds the Storm single-game record for most touchdown passes with ten?
2. What team did the Storm defeat to claim their first two Arena Bowl titles?
3. What former Storm quarterback guided the team to four out of five Arena bowl titles and is one of six players in Storm history to have his number retired by the team?

• Lunch: $20
• Dinner: $20
• Both Lunch & Dinner Fee: $35

• Sample craft and specialty beers from our friends at MillerCoors!
• $15 gets you a general admission ticket to the game, plus admission to the 2-hour pregame beer tasting.
• $25 gets you a lower level end-zone ticket to the game, plus admission to the 2-hour pregame beer tasting.
• If you’ve already got a ticket to the game – don’t miss out on the fun! Get your admission to the beer tasting for only $10!

Hey everyone.  Travis back with some great Tampa Bay Lightning news...although you usually don't get that sort of info on here...today you are! 

The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired two-time 40-goal scorer Simon Gagne from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 today

Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said, “In adding Simon to the Lightning today, we acquire a very talented player that will play along side our top forwards. With his combination of speed and skill we are excited to have him with us and grateful he was willing to waive his no movement clause. This trade not only makes us a better team in the short-term, it helps create long-term flexibility for us, which all along has been one of our top priorities.”

Gagne, 6-foot, 195 pounds, has played in 664 career NHL games, all with the Flyers, recording 259 goals, 72 power play goals, 11 shorthanded goals, 47 game-winning goals and 524 points with a career plus-143 rating. He has put together two seasons with 40 goals or more, four with 30 goals or more and seven with 20 or more. Gagne ranks ninth on the all-time Philadelphia goals list, 10th for points and 11th for power play goals. He was awarded the Bobby Clarke Trophy, given annually to the Flyers’ most valuable player, following both the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

A native of Ste. Foy, Quebec, Gagne was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2001 and 2007. He was also named to the 2000 NHL All-Rookie Team. Gagne has missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs just twice during his 11-year NHL career. He has played in 90 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording 32 goals and 47 points.

Gagne played in 58 games with the Flyers last season, recording 17 goals, five power-play goals, four game-winning goals and 40 points. He missed much of the first portion of the season due to injury and returned to action December 19. He amassed 16 goals and 35 points in the 49 games after he returned to the line-up. His 18:37 in average ice time ranked third among Flyers forwards.

So, let's welcome him to Tampa Bay!  And keep checking back here for other Tampa Bay Lightning updates, along with more great things to do in Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay area events.
 

Hey Tampa Bay.. Alex here to inform all of the ladies in the area about Ladies Chalk Talk 2. Ladies, are you interested in learning a little about the game of football? Well if so, who better to learn from then a couple former NFL players and sports broadcasters.

Shula’s Steak House and InterContinental Tampa are inviting women to huddle up for an
evening of great food, drinks and some Football 101 fun – all for a wonderful cause. Derrick
Brooks and Ian Beckles – former  Buccaneers and the current host of the “Ron & Ian” show on 620 WDAE The Sports Animal – will spend the evening “coaching” guests through the ins and outs of the game. This year, they will be joined by Darek Sharp, also of 620 WDAE The Sports Animal, to break down the game of Fantasy Football.

The dinner menu will include lobster bisque, tomato mozzarella salad, beef tips and
Shula’s famous BBQ shrimp, as well as specialty cocktails. 

Throughout the night Shula's will host an exciting raffle offering prizes ranging from vacation
getaways to spa treatments.

The event will cost $50 per person in advance, $60 at the door – all profits from the event and all proceeds from the  raffle with benefit Derrick Brooks Charities- whose mission is to provide educational opportunities for socio-economically challenged youth that will instill, inspire, broaden, and develop cultural and social vision outside of the walls in which they live to ensure that they have every chance to develop into the strong and productive leaders of tomorrow.

So ladies grab your friends and head over to Shula’s Steak House and InterContinental Tampa on Wednesday, August 4th from 6- 8:30 p.m. for a girls night out.

 Check back often for more events happening at local Tampa Bay dining spots and Tampa Bay Hotels.

Hey Tampa Bay, Alex here with a weekly update on fun Tampa Bay area events happening around the area over the weekend.

1. Night in the Islands- July 10, 2010
On Saturday, July 10, from 6-11pm, the City of Tarpon Springs will present Night in the Islands – a free event on the world famous Sponge Docks. Enjoy Greek music, dancing, dining and other activities under the stars at the Sponge Docks. The event features live music by Ellada, an exciting Greek band composed of three of the best Greek musicians in the state. Ellada will perform outside on Dodecanese Blvd (the Sponge Docks) between Hope and Athens streets from 7 to 11pm. The band will perform nisiotika, the lively traditional music of the Greek islands, as well as old and new Greek favorites. Ellada includes George Soffos, bouzouki; Dino Theofilos, keyboard; and Elias Poulos, vocals. Prior to the main event, there will be live Greek music between 4 and 6pm on Dodecanese Blvd. at Riverwalk, west of Hope Street. Night in the Islands also will be offered Saturdays, August 7, September 18, October 2, and November 6, 2010. Mark your calendar and make this a regular destination!
Address: SPONGE DOCKS (DODECANESE BLVD BETWEEN HOPE AND ATHENS ST.), 
TARPON SPRINGS, FL 34689 
Times: 6:00-11:00pm 
Admission: FREE

2. Obscured by Time: The Magic of Florida, featuring the art of Hermann Trappman- July 10,2010
The Tampa Bay History Center presents "Obscured by Time: The Magic of Florida", featuring the art of Hermann Trappman, opening Saturday, July 10th. The exhibition will detail the natural history of Florida through Trappman’s compelling paintings, artifact replicas, fossils, and examples of the resources utilized by ancient Native Americans. Obscured by Time offers a glimpse of early Florida, its native peoples and geography prior to European contact in the 1500s. A self-taught artist, Trappman’s work explores the life of Florida’s early peoples and is based on artifacts, fossils and other archeological evidence found along the shores of Florida.
Address: 801 Old Water St., Tampa, FL 33602 
Times: Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Admission: $12.00 for adults

3. The 2nd Monthly Hula’s Boat Hop- July 10, 2010
The 2nd Monthly Hula's Boat Hop will be on Saturday, July 10th starting at 8 p.m. on the dock next to the newly remodeled and expanded Dukes Bar.  Hula Bay, one of the few waterside venues in Tampa and is located at 5200 West Tyson Avenue off Westshore, South  of Gandy.  There will be complimentary valet parking, live entertainment, no charge for  overnight boat slips, a DJ by the pool beginning at 1 p.m. and a full menu will be available.  The next one will be on August 21st.
Address: 5210 Tyson Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611 
Times: starting at 8p.m.

4. Sail Tampa – July 10- 14, 2010
Join us as we celebrate Tampa Bay’s rich maritime history featuring the magnificent International Sailing Ships of the World. The celebration begins with a spectacular “Parade of Sail” as the ships enter the Port of Tampa with thousands of spectators lining the shoreline. The 5-day festival will feature nightly fireworks, live music and dockside tours of the ships located in the Channel District,
known as Channelside.
Address: 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602 
Times: Varies

5. Tampa Bay Lightening Young Guns Camp- July 10-14, 2010
The Tampa Bay Lightning will hold their annual player development camp at the St. Pete Times Forum July 10-14. The camp will feature 31 players and include two sessions per day. All on-ice sessions will be open to the public. The camp will culminate on July 14 with the Young Guns Game, a prospect scrimmage and fan event. Among the 31 players attending the camp are former first-round picks Ty Wishart, Carter Ashton and Brett Connolly as well as second-round picks Scott Jackson, Richard Panik and Dana Tyrell. Highly touted prospects Dustin Tokarski, Jaroslav Janus, Alex Hutchings and Mark Barberio are also expected to attend the camp. The players will partake in a number of various activities away from the ice as well, including presentations on strength and conditioning, nutrition and others. On Monday, July 12 they will also attend a luncheon with team supporters and participate in community service initiatives that afternoon. The camp will conclude on Wednesday, July 14 with the Lightning’s Young Guns Game. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m. with the game getting underway at 6 p.m. The contest will feature two 20-minute periods with a shootout challenge at the end. Following the game fans will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session, get autographs from all the prospects involved in the camp and watch the Lightning Hockey Night radio show broadcast LIVE from the XO VIP Club from 7-8 p.m. They will also have the chance to enter to win exciting Lightning prizes and more, while ThunderBug and the Bolt Brigade will be on hand to entertain.
Address: 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
Times: July 10: 8:30am-11am, 4:30pm-7:30pm; July 11: 9am-11:30am, 4:30pm-8:00pm; July 12: 9am-11:30am; July 13: 2pm-4pm; July 14: 9am-11:30am, 6pm-7:30pm
Admission: Free

6. Talent Quest Florida- July 9-11, 2010
Talent Quest Florida is a karaoke singing competition for teens and up!
We have three categories divided into male and female divisions: Country, Contemporary 
and 50-And-Over.  Winners of Talent Quest Florida (one male and one female from each category) get paid entry; air fare and hotel stay at the national Talent Quest Karaoke competition in Laughlin, Nev., in September!
Time: 8:00am- 11pm
Location: Doubletree Hotel Tampa, Westshore
Price: Friday & Saturday July 9-10, 2010- $15 per day. Sunday, July 11, 2010- $30 per day.

7.  World Cup Watch Parties July 10-11, 2010
In honor of their semi-final appearance and as a welcome to Tampa, Splitsville luxury lanes and dinner lounge will be hosting a World Cup watch party this Saturday at 2pm for the Crew and Cadets of the Capitan Miranda – Uruguay’s Tall Ship.  The match between Germany and Uruguay will kick-off at 2:30 pm on Saturday so stop by Splitsville Lanes in the Channelside Entertainment Complex and meet the crew while watching the match!

The Channelside courtyard will have live entertainment from 11am-2pm with locals and visitors coming down to show their support for the World Cup Final match between Spain and the Netherlands, as well as the US Bid to Host the World Cup in 2018/2022. At 2pm, step inside any of the fine establishments here at Channelside and enjoy watching the game in the cool AC!

Don’t forget about events happening at our local attractions all Summer long like:

1. Island Nights at Adventure Island
2. Play & Dine All Day at Busch Gardens
3. Summer Nights at Busch Gardens
4. MOSI's CSI: The Experience

Enjoy your weekend and check back with me next Thursday for another Weekend Events update.