Tickets Now On Sale For the Tampa Bay Food & Wine Experience

Online, September 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - TAMPA BAY - SAVOR, a Tampa based events, PR, and marketing firm, announced today that they will unveil the TAMPA BAY FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCE (The EXPERIENCE) this fall, September 29th - October 2nd, 2011. The eventoffers a savory, palate-pleasing, four-day event showcasing the talents of renowned wine, spirits and beer producers, local and national chefs, and culinary personalities.

On Thursday, September 28, wine, spirit and beer-paired dinners will be held at three exclusive Tampa restaurants for'A Perfect Pair' culinary dinners. Each will offer a unique dining experience, having a different theme with a carefully paired menu and beverage list. Attendees will select the dinner they want to attend based on their preferred libation - wine, beer or liquor. There will be a beverage expert on site to walk guests through the dinner pairing and answer questions. Prices vary based on menu and location. For details on the dinners and to purchase tickets, visitwww.unleashyourpalate.com.

'The Grande EXPERIENCE' will be held for VIP guests, trade and media on Friday, September 30, 2011 from 1p.m. to 4p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. RVSP is required. Media should email [email protected] for a complimentary press pass into The Grande EXPERIENCE tasting.

'MINI Treats,' a unique spin on the traditional cocktail party featuring bite sized creations and live music entertainment, will be held on Friday, September 30 at the Creative Loafing building in Ybor, 1911 N. 13th Street, from 8p.m. - 11p.m. Admittance to 'Mini Treats' is $45 for general admission and $35 for young professionals between ages 21 to 30.

The signature event, the GRANDE TASTING EXPERIENCE, will be on Saturday, October 1 in the heart of Downtown Tampa's newest outdoor event space, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. Doors open at noon for VIP guests and from 1p.m. to 4p.m. for general admission ticket holders. This is the ultimate walk-around tasting event, designed to educate, entice, enlighten, and entertain foodies of all palates. Attendees will taste wine, beer and spirits; sample foods from local restaurants and nationally recognized chefs; and attend seminars and cooking demonstrations. VIP Tickets are $100 and include a special gift for the first 100 attendees, general admission is $75, and tickets purchased at the door are $85.

Following the signature event, the festivities are continued into the evening at the 'After Glow and Trade Chill' networking event on Saturday, October 1 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. at Mise En Place, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. Admission into the event is $15 and includes hors d'hoeuvres, wine and signature cocktails.

To wrap up the weekend, a 'Winemaker and Jazz Brunch' will be on Sunday, October 2 held at Wine Exchange, 1609 Snow Ave. in Tampa from noon to 3p.m. The brunch is private for ticket-holders and will include a special food menu pared with Frog's Leap wines and a Bloody Mary bar. Tickets to the brunch are $65.

"We plan on continuing the legacy of creating the most exotic culinary events that the Bay Area has grown to love," says Tonya Valdez, CEO and Founder of SAVOR and The TAMPA BAY FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCE. "This is all about having fun and exploring the wonderful taste profiles that are key to our market. No one has the right to tell you what your palate should respond to or salivate for. That's the biggest hurdle to jump when embarking on a culinary or wine journey. We work hard to break those barriers by wrapping the tasting events with high energy music, fun spaces and yes, even the notorious painted lady".

SAVOR's COO Stacey Paul Barabe is especially elated to be embarking on this new project. "With 18 years of creating large scale events for many brands, corporations, and tradeshows, the opportunity to create something uniquely "creatively ours" is very exciting for me personally. For the participants, I am excited to bring in some new elements, like a beer garden. What better a way to kick off the first day in October!"

A portion of the proceeds will support scholarships for culinary arts students throughout the Central Florida area.

For more information, please visit www.unleashyourpalate.com.

To request a media pass and for interview opportunities, contact Andrea Lundy at 727-481-3442 or by email [email protected].

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