Last week I traveled to Florida to visit Mom, and birds. When not photographing people I enjoy wandering around observing and photographing wildlife and nature. It’s peaceful, and quite beautiful. When I go to Florida to visit mom, who lives in the Keys, I make it a point to fly into Ft Lauderdale, or Miami International, the latter is a crazy large airport but in recent years has made it more simpler to navigate. So if you haven’t been there in a while, it’s gotten better, even I was able to go from Rental Car drop off to gate in under an hour. Also did you know if you’re a big guy like me, you can order a seat belt extender from Amazon.com so you can save embarrassment asking a flight attendant when you board.
One of my favorite National Parks in the Florida Everglades, it’s about an hour from Miami. If you’re renting a car, take their option for the “Sun Pass” as Easy Pass doesn’t work on their highways and there are not toll booths. It’s not that expensive about $4 a day, with tolls, which seem to be only $.80 cents every 10 miles or so. If you’re in a hurry you can go to the first nature stop in the Everyglades, Royal Palm. They have a boardwalk that travels around a body of water and you’re guaranteed to see alligators in nature, birds, turtles and get plenty of enjoyment, especially making memories with the kids.
This Anhinga, sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey successfully swallowed this whole fish.
Sunning in the Everglades
Gecko on the Eye
Mike at Higgs Beach, Key West, Florida
Sunset at Key West at Mallory Square is a must stop
We were so excited to see a Manatee or Sea Cow. In all the years I’ve visited my mom I never saw one in the Keys. We were so ecstatic.
Key Deer on Big Pine Key
Nearby Blue Hole where two gators call home.
I kinda like this bike as a trellis insteadThe Bahia Honda Rail Bridge is a derelict railroad bridge in the lower Florida Keys connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. Great spot for swimming, or a picnic.
The sunset in the keys is a happening. Everyone stops what they’re doing, and they go to a clearing to watch it, even on cloudy days. Then they cheer at the conclusion of a day well spent.
A stop by No Name Bar, on No Name Key for a bite to eat is always fun, everything served is under a dollar, get it?
A touch of the FloridaKeys came to Philadelphia on Monday night March 6th. The first-ever Philadelphia FloridaKeys and Key West Food Influencer Cook-Off took over Walnut Hill College – 24 of the region’s top radio/TV personalities, chefs and food influencers got behind the stove and cooed off for a chance to win a five night six day vacation.
The sold-out event took over the entire building and had over 120 people in attendance.
Some notable names included Pat Croce, iHeart’s Nicole Michalik, Fox 29’s Alex Holley, WOGL’s Marilyn Russell, WMMR’s Marisa Magnatta, TV chef Roberta Pipito, Tony Luke and others. On top of the cooking portion, four bartenders competed in the cocktail competition from Vesper, Dim Sum House, Fine Palate and Whetstone Tavern.
Guest were serenaded when they arrived
The setting was perfect for local celebrity and influencer cheftestant cook off as Walnut Hill College is a culinary school which
has full size industrial kitchens,
as well as dining areas for serving
Chef Bobby Stoky from famed Marker 88 restaurant in the FloridaKeys worked with the students and was a judge in the competition. Chef Bobby prepared a Red snapper, which the cheftestants were to prepare as part of the competition.
Local son Pat Croce who has several spots in the FloridaKeys hosted the Keys Cocktail Competition. The idea behind the cocktail contest was to give a hard-working, over-worked, talented bartender a chance to get away “from it all.” The winner walked away with a trip to Key West!
Joe Maiellano and Sarah Maiellano, Thrillist, Emily Tharp, Her Philly and Caitlin McCullough, Restaurant School at Walnut Hill
Four bartenders from around the region and stirred up Keys-inspired cocktails including Kimberly Shurig – Fine Palate
Mother of the Dragon – Tequila and dragon fruit with a hint of habanero-infused simple syrup over fresh ice garnished with lime peel dragon fruit skin and cilantro. Here with Courtney Dow, owner of Fine Palate and Chef Vince Joseph
Ashley Serrate, NewmanPR and Carl Becker, executive VIP Walnut Hill College
Linda Vertlieb, Frugal Philly Mom
Paxton Reese and Alex Holley, both of Fox 29
LeAnne Lindsay, Tinsel and Tine (one of the best and consistent blogs with longevity) and Marisa Magnatta, WMMR
Alex Holley has a favorite apron
Barry Johnson and Cheftestant Ernest Owens, Philly Mag
His pie was delicious, his snapper – hot and spicy
Seamus Banning, Vesper (winning bartender with his Black Pearl drink)
Maria Newman, Pat Croce, Andy Newman, Senior Vice President Newman PR and Jeff Sorg, CEO of Pat Croce & Company
Michelle Curtis – Whetstone Tavern
Papa’s Punch
In honor of Hemmingway’s fishing nickname, this is a refreshing rum punch with flavors of basil, strawberry and pineapple. Perfect for drinking after a long day in the Florida sun.
Reporter Jenny DeHuff wrote a humorous piece for her paper The Philly Voice
Steve McCann and Chris Balbi of PhillyGayCalendar won for the best Snapper – mango chutney tossed with coconut and jalapeño with a secret ginger kick.
Iris McCarthy, The Palate Princess
Aversa PR Reps Jamyra Perry and Karianna Simpkins
Judging was tough
Pat Croce, who judged the drink competition with the winner Seamus Banning, Vesper. Who created a drink called The Black Pearl. The Black Pearl
Eucalyptus, bitter citrus and spice affably dance with molasses in this dark rum cocktail, though its color remains as mysterious as The Black Pearl
Chef Bobby Smoky
Steve McCann and Chris Balbi of PhillyGayCalendar won for the best Snapper – mango chutney tossed with coconut and jalapeño with a secret ginger kick.
Colleen Kennedy of Souffle Bombay was the overall winner for both her Key Lime Pie and Snapper
A touch of the Florida Keys hits Philly this Monday night and I’ve got the scoop on the details. The first-ever Philadelphia Florida Keys and Key West Food Influencer Cook-Off will happen at Walnut Hill College – 24 of the region’s top food bloggers, writers and radio/TV folks will get behind the stove and cook-off for a chance to win a five night six day vacation.
Walnut Hill is the gracious host for the night and their students (and our city’s future restaurant stars and chefs) are prepping and creating a fantastic menu of Florida Keys inspired dishes. Four bartenders from around the region and shaking/stirring Florida Keys-inspired cocktails.
The Florida Keys is sending up Chef Bobby Stoky , Chef, cookbook author and owner of several upper keys restaurants – is coming up as a special partnership to work with the students and be a guest judge.
The Florida Keys and Key West Cook-off is tied into a station take-over at 30th Street. Now is the time people are planning out spring/summer vacations – plus the Florida Keys is a big wedding destination. The cook-off adds an interactive element and turns the spotlight on one of my favorite thing about the Florida Keys- the cuisine! If you get a chance, stop by 30th Street and check out the ad campaign. Sunsets, snorkeling and blue seas greet you the second you walk through the doors.
CONTESTANTS: They reviewed, posted, snapped, tweeted and blogged about their favorite restaurants and dishes. Now the tables will turn as 24 of the region’s food and travel influences/writers will get behind the stove and cook-off. One of them will win a trip to the Florida Keys and Key West. Chef Bobby Stoky will lead them in demos and will make their own version of a Key Lime Pie and a surprise Florida Keys seafood dish. Nicole Michalik I Heart Radio Mina Say What Power 99 Marilyn Russell WOGL Marisa Magnatta WMMR Alex Holley FOX-29 Jenny DeHuff PhillyVoice Ernest Owens Philadelphia Magazine LeAnne Lindsay Tinsel and Tine Roberta Pipito Homemade Delish Jersey Girl Cooks Lisa GrantKass Dahlquist Philly Food Girl Rachee Fagg Say It Rachee Jordan Price Food Sweat Beers Linda Arceo Giggles Gobbles Gulps Sandy Zimmerman Philly Bite Mag Sarah Maiellano Eater, Thrillist, USA Today, Freelancer Colleen Kennedy Souffle Bombay Emily Rush Penn Appetite Sarah Ricks Very Hungry Traveler Iris McCarthy The Palate Princess Denine Gorniak The Bicycle Chef Linda Vertlieb Frugal Philly Mom Emily Tharp Her Philly Steve McCann Philly Gay Calendar
Follow #FlKeysCookOff to follow the contest Monday on Twitter and Instagram.
Florida Keys & Key West Cocktail Competition
As part of the Florida Keys and Key West Cook-Off at Walnut Hill College they are giving a bartender a chance to win a vacation! They shake and stir. They listen to your problems. They know your every need. Four of Philly’s most talented and over-worked bartenders are getting a chance to get away from it all for a two night three day trip to the Florida Keys. Participants are from the just-opened Dim Sum House in University City, South Street Headhouse’s Whetstone Tavern, and Rittenhouse Row’s Fine Palate and Vesper. Cast your vote for your favorite Keys-inspired cocktail below. The public will cast their advance vote online, guests at the event will cast a vote and then our favorite son Pat Croce (who owns several bars in the Keys!) will also judge. Pat is even putting the winning cocktail on his menu for a week in honor of the winning bartender.
Michelle Curtis – Whetstone Tavern
Papa’s Punch
In honor of Hemmingway’s fishing nickname, this is a refreshing rum punch with flavors of basil, strawberry and pineapple. Perfect for drinking after a long day in the Florida sun.
Nickolas Brozek – Dim Sum House
Breeze Way
A twist on an Island favorite with featuring gin, subtle hints of vanilla, key kime shrub and topped with egg white.Kimberly Shurig – Fine Palate
Mother of the Dragon
Tequila and dragon fruit with a hint of habanero-infused simple syrup over fresh ice garnished with lime peel dragon fruit skin and cilantro.
Seamus Banning – Vesper
The Black Pearl
Eucalyptus, bitter citrus and spice affably dance with molasses in this dark rum cocktail, though its color remains as mysterious as The Black Pearl
Our host Walnut Hill College is a culinary school who has had famous alumns like Fuel’s Rocco Cima, Geno’s Steaks Geno Vento, Will BYOB’s Chris Kearse and Ela’s Jason Cichonski. For this event, our city’s future star chefs and restaurant owners are getting real world experience in working with Chef Bobby Stoky from the Keys. Stoky is owner/chef of popular restaurants in the Upper Keys including Señor Frijoles, Sundowners, Cactus Jack’s, Ballyhoo’s and Marker 88. He will work with students on prep, talk to them about his experience, answers questions and work with them in the kitchens during the competition. Students will also have their first chance to mix and mingle with food writers that they will one day work with at their own restaurants. If you haven’t been to Walnut Hill College, the bakery is open to the public and they have lunch service prepared by the students in the adorable courtyard. They also host private parties and events – and their spaces are themed and so unique. My favorite is the Great Chef’s Room.
Helping out on the decor of the project is Les Dames president (and Diner en Blanc Co-Host) Natanya DiBona so you know it’s going to be classy.
To Win A Pair of Tickets To Monday Night’s Key West Cook Off head over to
my Facebook Philly ChitChat and answer this question. What is the shell of a Key Lime Pie made out of?
Put the answer under the link for this article. Thanks
My mom lives in the Middle Keys (Marathon) and it’s glorious. She and dad chose the area about 20 years ago for its’ beauty,
fishing, outdoor activities and proximity to all the Keys, each have their own unique identity. So I’m thrilled to be working on this project, and can attest to the beauty of the Keys. I’ve been to Key West at least 25 times. They have a lot of great attractions all year long, and a spectacular Halloween week long celebration that you just have to see.
Organizer of Florida Keys & Key West Cook-Off and Cocktail Competition
Connected by the historic Overseas Highway (considered one of the country’s most beautiful drives), the Florida Keys are a perfect summer travel spot. Each island has something unique from fishing and diving to nature preserves and rich history, the Keys offer a laid-back atmosphere that make for a perfect escape. The island chain is rich in arts & culture, yet if you crave the wild outdoors, the Florida Keys’ guided eco-tours, walking trails, environmental centers and a plethora of green travel initiatives will satisfy. The Keys’ many dive-snorkel charters will take you to the United States’ only living coral barrier reef and offer Florida Keys scuba diving vacation memories that will last a lifetime. The destination is also ideal for the culinary enthusiast as fresh locally caught seafood abounds. The Florida Keys & Key West invite you to “Come as you are.®”
Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
Colleen’s Key Lime Pie
Kimberly Shurig – Fine Palate
