Taste of Key West

April 20, 2018









Taste of Key West

During the twenty three year existence of the annual foodie festival, A Taste of Key West, the festival has moved around quite a bit. It is hard to find a permanent home for such a large gathering that draws thousands of people who are anxious to sample culinary delights from close to fifty of the finest restaurants on the island. I have followed the festival to its various locales and been attending most years during the history of the event.











Last year, because the previous location at the Truman waterfront was unavailable due to construction the event was relocated for what was thought to be a one-off for that year, but instead turned out to be possibly a new permanent home at Mallory Square where the event was held this year for the second year in a row.









Jim

The location works out great as it is already crowded with tourists and there is much more room for the restaurant booths as well as the beer and wine sampling areas. The nightly performers may be put out for the night but just about everyone else is thrilled with the new location. As such the event has attracted an even larger crowd than ever.

Uriel











The event is among the largest fundraisers of the year for AIDS Help and it is great to see so many locals and tourists mingling, eating delicious food and trying all manner of new and exciting beers and wines.  All of the restaurants and chefs donate their food and services and a ton of funding is raised thanks to their efforts. Most all of Key West’s premier restaurants participate each creating a small plate serving or two that they provide to the guests.











The other advantage of holding the event at Mallory Square is the amazing Key West sunset, which while visible from the Truman waterfront, is much more associated with Mallory Square. The setting allows for plenty of room for all of the restaurants as well as room for sunset watchers to catch a good view of the famous Key West sunset.











The event is also a great place to run into and catch up with friends from across the spectrum of Key West life. Locals turn up in droves to indulge in all the food and drink and often I run into people that I only rarely see out and about town. Taste of Key West is always like that and it is always fun to see friends old and new.









The event was another huge success and I stayed till just about the last call for food and drinks before heading home, already looking forward to returning next year for the twenty-fourth edition.