First-Ever Gulfport Chefs’ Table Event Postponed Due To Weather

GULFPORT, FL – The threat of rain may have dampened the first attempt for the first-ever Gulfport Chefs’ Table, but the Gulfport Merchant’s Association will try again next week.

The event, originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 10 p.m., has been rescheduled for Monday, Oct. 10 at the same time. Participants with existing reservations will be welcomed on the new date.

The Chef’s Table is designed to highlight Gulfport’s food scene and features eight of Gulfport’s restaurants. A long community table will be set up in the center of Beach Boulevard. Each participating chef created a four-course prix fixe menu, and diners can choose any of the eight menus being offered.

Only one of the original nine participating restaurants will not be able to participate in the Gulfport Chefs’ Table on the new date. Fish Bar & Grille will not be able to participate. Organizers have asked people who made reservations with the restaurant to call Fish Bar & Grille at (727) 328-2720.

Daniel Hodge, the vice president of the Gulfport Merchant’s Association, said the idea for the Gulfport Chef’s Table came from seeing similar events in neighboring communities like St. Petersburg. Along with Pia Goff of Pia’s Trattoria and Jill Johnson from Mangia Gourmet, Hodge decided a similar event would be perfect for Gulfport.

“Since Gulfport is such a close-knit and community-spirited place, along with an excellent selection of restaurants, we felt that an event of this sort was a natural for us,” Hodge said. “We felt it would be a great opportunity to raise money for a worthy local cause as well as shine a light on Gulfport as a great food destination.”

Hodge said quite a few chefs and restaurants in Gulfport were ready to step up and participate as soon as they heard about the idea for the Gulfport Chefs’ Table.

“There is a sense of both camaraderie and good-natured competition among the nine participating restaurants,” he said. “They are all eager to put their best foot forward with their food and décor.”

The other restaurants participating are: Backfin Blue Café, Boca Bay Grille, Isabelle’s at The Historic Peninsula Inn, Mangia Gourmet, Neptune Grill, O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille, Pia’s Trattoria and Smokin’ J’s Real Texas BBQ.

Hodge said they’ve received a warm response from the community for this first-time event.

“At this time, most of the participating restaurants have sold out all their available seats,” he said. “There are still a few remaining among three or four restaurants as of right now.”

The restaurants that currently still have reservations available are:

• Mangia Gourmet, (727) 321-6264
• Neptune Grille, (727) 623-4823
• O’Maddy’s, (727) 323-8643

The menus for each of the restaurants are listed at http://www.casa-stpete.org/events,gulfport-chefs-table. To make reservations, call the individual restaurant. The dinners range from $40 to $80 per person plus tax. Prices include wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverage choices.

The Gulfport Chefs’ tables will be assembled end-to-end to accommodate diners, with décor assembled by each restaurant for its own section of seating. Fine dining details including white tablecloths, china, glassware and full table service will be included.

All net proceeds from the Gulfport Chefs’ Table will benefit Community Action Stops Abuse, which provides services to women, men and families with and recovering from abuse. Thanks to the matching grant program for CASA’s new domestic violence shelter from the Sonia Raymund Foundation, all donations generated from the event will be doubled.

Hodge said the participating restaurants voted on which charity would benefit, and CASA received the most votes.

“(CASA has) been a remarkable partner with us in helping to promote and organize the event,” he said.

Hodge said the Gulfport Merchant’s Association is hoping to make the Gulfport Chefs’ Table an annual event.

“It will be something fun and different for us,” he said. “We are hoping to attract locals as well as visitors who will be discovering Gulfport for the first time.”

Aside from the nine restaurants and the Gulfport Merchant’s Association, the Gulfport Chefs’ Table is sponsored by J.J. Taylor, Olympus Printing, Republic National Distribution Company and Superior Auto Body.

For more information, visit the Gulfport Chefs’ Table Facebook page.

Image courtesy of the Gulfport Merchant’s Association