A save the date alert from Kelly’s Kitchen! I am beyond excited because I have it on good authority that Food Network star Chef Robert Irvine will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall April 13th, doing his Dinner: Impossible show. Just Googling his image is enough to send you running to the box office…and to get a gym membership! Check back next week for more details and something special with Chef Robert Irvine! And speaking of the Food Network, seats are filling up fast for EATS! American Grill’s celebratory dinner for their Food Network appearance on Heat Seekers; RSVP’s are due this Monday with limited seating at 6, 7 and 8 pm. Donations are $20 for adults and $10 per child, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Voices for Children. Call 813-275-9300 or log on to director@vfcgal.org now. I'll be there by 7!

   So what else is on the front burner for this weekend? Plenty! Check out the Grand Central Chili Cook-off  Saturday starting at 10 am in the Grand Central District of St Pete, one of my favorite stretches to stroll and find treasures in all those beyond cool shops. Admission is free, chili tasting will run you $20 day of show. It’s a chance to lend a helping hand to the Grand Central District Association and St Pete’s Helping Our Troops. Don’t forget the Tums!

     For a taste of ages past (can you say MASSIVE turkey legs) join in the huzzahs at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival at MOSI with this weekend’s theme Highland Fling. I love kilts. Have I mentioned that?! Tickets are available at the gate, and if you plan on bring along a pets,a pet registration form is required for entry. It’s the most medieval way to rock the weekend away!

   And finally, the good news that the Tampa Food Truck scene has a permanent home in downtown Tampa with the creation of a Food Truck Square at the Monstah Lobstah, 1901 West Platt St. The square is open now, but a grand opening party is set from 4-7 pm on Thursday, the 23^rd. Expect to see crowd favorites like Wicked Wiches, Burger Culture and more. Congrats foodies!

   Please don't forget that you can also join me Saturday at the Suncoast Animal League Mutt Strutt in Highlander Park, Dunedin from 11 am - 5 pm. It's always an amazing days with many pets finding their forever homes, great advice from our many friends and sponsors on site to talk about natural pet nutrition, safety,  and since we're always talking good food here in Kelly's Kitchen, veggie burgers will be available and plenty of beverages for all ages. I'm looking foward to seeing new friends and old.

   Have something going on in your delicious world you’d like to share with the rest of the class? Send them to me at ann.kelly@coxtampa.com. We love comments, suggestions and your favorite places to grab a bite…and those recipes!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

If you are a chef, your life is devoted to giving pleasure to other people. We are creative and what we create is gone almost instantly, but there's always the thought that maybe tomorrow we will create something even more spectacular – Robert Irvine