So what constitutes a hearty breakfast for a weekend filled with pirates? I’m guessing the answer to that question is better left unanswered, but most likely includes some hearty adult beverages. But here in Kelly’s Kitchen we’ll cover all bases for a delicious weekend on all sides of the Bay.

   The weekend starts bright and early Saturday over on Bayshore Boulevard and at the Tampa Convention Center with the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch which does require a ticket. But the menu sounds delicious!

   And if pirates aren’t your thing, there’s always the fan-favorite Kumquat Festival in Dade City. I went last year and enjoyed my first slice of sweet and tart creamy pie, and loved it. Dade City is a sweet little place to walk around, check out the booths and all the delights of the Festival. I recommend you go early, I remember the traffic backup from last year as well! If you find your way across the Skyway to Sarasota, it's Forks and Corks 2012 the 27th through the 30th!

   I have a sneaking suspicion Sunday might be all about late brunches and Bloody Mary’s to cure what ails you from the day before! You can always wander the farmer’s markets and find something wonderful for dinner, or just kick back and order in. But those more refined among us, there’s always the Tea Party and Fashion Show at the Hilton St Pete Bayfront Sunday at 2 pm to benefit the Junior League. Find those little white gloves and remember to point the pinky!

   Tuesday, I’ll be treating myself to an opening night of great theater and great food at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The 25^th Anniversary Tour of Les Miz opens Tuesday night, and Chef Benito has created a beautiful menu for Maestro’s.  

   Please feel free to shoot me an email and tell me what you’re up to for this weekend, and if you’re group or business has a foodie event in the works, let us know about it in Kelly’s Kitchen. I’ll be taking a break this next week, but please don’t forget that this Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, and that means the Hyde Park Fresh Market, the Official Sponsor of Kelly’s Kitchen will be open for business.  It’s a beautiful way to start a Sunday with a stroll around the circle, enjoy a fresh off the griddle Belgium Waffle with Nutella, fresh berries and whipped cream, homemade breads and so much more. We’ll be welcoming many of those from the Fresh Market into Kelly’s Kitchen soon….stay tuned and have a wonderful weekend!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

Give a man a fish and he has food for a day; teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend.  ~Zenna Scha