It’s your own fault if you’re hungry this week. In Kelly’s Kitchen there’s a plethora of food events that should cover just about everyone’s taste (and waistline) so away we go with the list!

WAZOO- USA Today rates the Lowry Park Zoo’s WaZoo as one of the nation’s top ten beer festivals. WaZoo offers samples of more than 250 beers and beverages from around the world this Saturday night from 7:30-10:30 pm, along with live music, great food, and even a chance to interact with some of the Zoo residents with ZooVentures. It gets crowded in a hurry, so your best bet is to get tickets today before they close the online and phone orders Friday at 3 pm. Just click here and I’ll see you there. And as always, please enjoy responsibly.

FOOD TRUCK RALLY- Citrus Park has their first Food Truck Rally this Saturday, August 4^th from 4-8 pm at the Broadstone Citrus Village Apartment, 8001 North Gunn Highway. Admission is free, but you’ll pay for individual food truck offerings. 

DINE TAMPA BAY RESTAURANT WEEK- Like you need an excuse to try a new place? This event actually runs two week, from the 3^rd through the 17^th. The menus are prix fixe and it’s a fantastic chance to try that place you’ve always wanted to and savor the flavors of everything from pasta, seafood, barbeque, Japanese, Brazilian...well, the list is extensive and affordable. Check the menu and participating restaurants and make your reservations now.

THE CUBAN SANDWICH SHOW- This takes our love of Tampa and its creativity and turns it in into a month long celebration. The free opening night celebration is this Wednesday, August 1^st at the Growman Brand Studios on Central Ave in Seminole Heights at 7 pm. The Cuban Sandwich show offers films, readings, and on August 11^th at the HCC Ybor Campus, it’s "Food For Thought: Forum on the History of Food in Tampa" from 10 am - 5 pm. The 10 am panel discussion will include such notables as moderator Tom Shereberger from the Poynter Institute and former food editor for The St. Pete Times, food truck owners Michelle and Robert Faedo and Chris Sherman, former restaurant critic for The Times, and Dr. Susan Greenbaum, Professor Emerita of Anthropology at USF. There’s also The Taste of The Cuban Sandwich at the Cuban Club on the 18^th and a BBQ Block Party/Chicken/Rooster Promenade on the 19^th. Costumes, wagon floats and of course they welcome everything and everyone from chickens, roosters, dogs, kids pirates...the usual Ybor crowd. Sounds like a good time! 

HYDE PARK FRESH MARKET - Always the first Sunday of the month, one of the lovliest and most relaxing ways to being a Sunday in Show Circle in Old Hyde Park Village. Fresh, local produce, arts, crafts, and oh so doggie friendly. The Hyde Park Fresh Market is the official sponsor of Kelly's Kitchen!

What’s going on in your culinary circle these days? Just drop me a line in Kelly’s Kitchen so we can share it with the world at ann.kelly@coxmg.com.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

Food is our common ground, a universal experience - James Beard