B Scene with Brooke Palmer  |
A whole lot of sipping and chippin’…
Summer is the time for barbecue, golf, and relaxation, and the event season is slowly waning…but last month I found both in amazing celebrity filled events: The Outback Pro Am, and the Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival.
For the second year in a row, Metro was granted unprecedented access to the premier golf event in Tampa Bay, the 2010 Outback Pro Am. Now, while I don’t dispute the fact that golf is the centerpiece of the fun-filled week, the hospitality that surrounds it is where I revel. The highlight of the week is the private invitation only Aussie Bash, featuring Tim McGraw. You don’t need to like country music to like Tim McGraw, as this party is the invite of the week. Seen “bashing” were Tracey Ringstaff and Rodney Padgett from Dew Luxury Motorcars, Tracie Domino, Elissa Dooman, Summer and Brian Grow.
The other hot ticket of the weekend was to the Billabong Club, where the Outback food concepts were just, well, teeming with bloomin’ onions and tournament sponsor Red Stag by Jim Beam. Chowing down with me were, Jen Holloway, Aakash Patel, Alex Steppacher, and Jennifer Johnson. The likes of George Lopez, Michael J. Fox, Joe Theismann, and Vince Gill kicking it in Tampa Bay is exciting. Thank you Whitney Crisp for once again rolling out the red carpet.
Now for the sippin’…The 4th annual Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival presented by Southern Wine and Spirits stepped it up this year with new innovative events. The Beam Barbeque Bash at the Postcard Inn on the Beach became the hottest ticket of the festival with VIP selling out days in advance. Celebrity Chefs Nathan Lippy and Big Lou Elrose, joined other local talent at this “finger smackin’ good” event. Chefs from local favorites Berns and Mangroves wowed the crowd with Lamb Sliders and Truffle Mac respectively, with Wildwood Barbeque taking the top honors for the night! Licking their lips were: Debbie and Larry Hudson, Sean and Valerie Hartnell, Michal Marx, Mel Klinghoffer, Laura Below and John McFadden.
Down the way at the Pink Palace, aka The Don Cesar Hotel, Marilu Henner and Karl Wente entertained the Grand Tasting crowds with their seminars on food and wine. Enjoying the fine wine and spirits offered were Lisa Pagano, Ron and Kit Stewart and Jennifer Singleton.
For more star spotting join us at Ryan Nece’s 3rd annual Night under the Stars, Saturday, June 19 at TPepin Hospitality Center. One of Tampa’s premier events, B Scene will be there! For more info, log on to www.ryannece.com.
Now get out there and B Scene!
—Brooke Palmer
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