Area Aficionados Celebrate Ybor City History

(Tampa, Florida)  Over 300 guests attended the 7^th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days Tapas Trail on Saturday April 13^th.  Foodies from the region partook of Tapas at eighteen of Ybor's diverse restaurants from one end of the District to the other.

This year the "people's choice award" went to Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que, 1609 Angel Olive Sr. Street.  Chef Al Reynold's Pulled-pork samples with his original sauce were the top hit with folks on the "trail."  The Bacon-wrapped Medooj Dates with prosciutto & parmesan at Bernini of Ybor came in a close second follow by Carne Chop House's Prime Rib-sliders with port wine, sweet onion compote and Havarti cheese.

On Sunday the ultimate Spanish Brunch was held at the world famous Columbia Restaurant, punctuated by our "one of a kind" amateur Tapas Cooking Challenge.  "We are very proud to announce that the winner of this year's Tapas Challenge is Victoria de Bruin, a student in the Sickles' Culinary Program under the instruction of Chef Richard Ceglio," said Andrea Gonzmart, Aficionado Committee Chair.  "Her Savory Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with beluga lentil relish won the judges' vote and the $500 first prize."

The 7th edition of Ybor Aficionado Days was presented by Bright House Networks.  Major Event Sponsors were the Columbia Restaurant and the Hampton Inn & Suites.  "The Chamber's Tapas Trail is one of the only events of this type in the country," said Tom Keating President & CEO of the Ybor City Chamber.  "I want to thank our hospitality members for making this such a successful promotion for the community!"