I’ve already set the DVR to grab the latest from Emeril Lagasse, “Emeril’s Florida” from The Cooking Channel.  Also nice to see that Pinellas County Commissioners have decided this is an important part of tourism for the area, and voted to approve a $500,000  tourism grant to help highlight Pinellas County;  they’ll use somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 of that grant for Emeril’s show production costs. It does look like they’ll get their money’s worth, with that particular show scheduled to air six times. Emeril has been seen all over town, with visits to The Sandpearl, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Café Ponte and even the Chihuly.

   We already know the world-famous chef has a thing for the Sunshine State. He lives in Destin, and has ranked Florida beef “among the top five” in the nation and loves the seafood as much. Face it, we’re lucky when it comes to fresh and local. Let’s keep it that way.

   So what about the rest of the grant? The Executive Director of Visit St Pete/ Clearwater, D.T. Minch says that $300,000 will help stage a new food and wine festival in St Pete. Works for me! If you catch the show, let me know what you think at ann.kelly@coxtampa.com.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

“BAM!” – Emeril Lagasse