16 Oct Tell us what your favorite “go to” places for food and craft beer when entertaining your guests. 

Worried about what to do with your guests during the holidays?  TampaBay Food Tours wants to include some ideas for you to Eat.Drink.Local.

Halloween is the start of what sometimes feels like the never-ending holiday season.  Whether it includes finding the right costume for you or your little one (so many to choose from and they get more expensive every year), to figuring out how many bags of candy you need for trick or treaters (who seem to get older every year) and pondering if you should only give organic candy because it might help save the world (or maybe just one child) and only cost you a full paycheck.  But my favorite is going to the pumpkin patch and spending at least an hour trying to find just the right one.  This started me thinking about how these holiday traditions originated.  Carved pumpkins are certainly a symbol of Halloween.  The tradition dates back to the Celts who as part of their autumn celebration carved faces into vegetables, like turnips and squash, to light their way home from their festivities.  And interestingly enough, the origins of trick or treating is also said to have started with the Celts – and when you really think about it, the activity is a bit on the weird side – but it truly has become something most American children (and many adults as well) look forward to every October.  The story goes that trick or treating began with the Celts who celebrated the end of the year dressed up as evil spirits.  Then the Catholics got involved (got to love them, being one) and turned the demon dress into a party called “All Hallows Eve” and “All Saints Day” where both children and adults dressed in costumes of their favorite saint.  The tradition started as one of “guising” to get away from demons and graveyards to one of honoring the dearly departed saints. I guess at the end of the day, stranger traditions have been formed.

Trick or treating is said to have migrated to the United States in the early 1900’s and has taken on a life of its own… true to the American Way.  In 2015, Americans spent generally about $6.9 million dollars on decorations, food, candy, specially crafted beer and wines, costumes, and visits to theme parks like Busch Gardens, haunted houses or ghost tours. That number has increased exponentially and it has been reported that last year alone we spent $350 million on costumes for just our pets! (Now that borders just a bit on the edge of craziness if you ask me but on the other hand, it continues to keep the wheels on the economic bus!)

I would also like to mention that our craft brewery partners in Dunedin and St. Pete have created many special beers in honor of this “hallowed” event and certainly worthy of stopping in for a taste.  Cueni has a new pumpkin beer on tap, Caledonia has partnered with House of Beer (HOB) to create a specially brewed “collab” beer and 3Daughters is releasing a new cider.  But on a larger scale, I really want to highlight the collaboration of our partners Green Bench and 7venth Sun breweries who just recently announced that they have worked together with several other breweries and vendors in the state to create the “Irma IPA” with all profits being donated to hurricane victims in Florida.  The community always finds a way to come together in tough times and it is a tribute to these small independent breweries that they found a way to generously contribute their time, passion and money to such a great cause.

I personally love this time of the year and the holiday season.  But I also know that it can feel extremely stressful for many (including my friends) who are charged with accommodating and entertaining their out of town guests and then the added perplexing issue of what to give to Aunt Esther who has everything.

So, tell us how you do it?  What is your “go to” place when family and friends descend on you during the holiday season and you don’t want to cook and clean up the kitchen one more time?  What is your favorite hangout in Tampa Bay for showcasing your beloved pet?  We want to share your stories with others locally so they can benefit from your experience.  And, of course, we would like you to consider booking one of our Food and Craft Beer Tours (or one in your local community) as a unique one of a kind experience to keep your guests entertained and provide them with the real flavor of where you live.  And Tampa was just rated by wallethub.com as the 11^th best city for “foodies” in 2017 and we think Tampabayfoodtours.com will definitely give that special foodie in your gathering a taste of why the Tampa area has earned that honor!

Gift certificates for food and craft beers tours are also a wonderful way to share the love of food and spirits.  They can schedule a time that works best for them and it is a great gift experience that will be remembered and appreciated long after the presents are un-wrapped, wine and food is consumed and the scarf finds a home in your sister’s closet.

This time of the year also brings out the best in food choices.  Pumpkin is in!  My favorite “go to” is the pumpkin bread and pumpkin waffle/pancake mixes from Trader’s Joes.  I think it is the best buy on the market and I love to add my own ingredients like chocolate chips, pecan pieces, almonds, a dash of bourbon (or bourbon vanilla) or any other item that makes it yours.  It does disappear from shelves quickly so grab a couple of boxes.  And if you don’t have a Trader Joes nearby then ask a friend to send you a couple.  They make great gifts and a good boost with that morning cup of Joe.

The holiday season has arrived. Tampa Bay Food Tours is here to help make your holiday planning a little easier and provide different gift giving experiences.  Give us a call or book online at Tampabayfoodtours.com and remember to grab some pumpkin bread for your family and friends.