This October, the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to experience Taste the Keys, a new month-long culinary celebration showcasing the talent and flavor of Key Largo’s dining scene.
Inspired by the popular Miami Spice model, Taste the Keys will run from Oct. 1-31. Participating restaurants will offer specially priced prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner, giving guests an opportunity to enjoy creative cuisine at a great value. The event is designed to stimulate local business during a traditionally slower season and encourage tourism traffic to stop and stay in Key Largo and the Upper Keys.
More than just a dining promotion, Taste the Keys includes a community-driven culinary competition known as the Signature Dish Showdown — a reimagined version of the chamber’s past “Cook Off” event.
Public invited to vote for the Best Dish in the Keys
Instead of a one-day cook-off, the competition will span the entire month of October. Each participating restaurant will nominate one item from its prix-fixe menu as its “Cook Off” entry. Diners are encouraged to try as many of these dishes as possible and cast their vote at www.TasteTheKeys.com.
“This new format keeps the spirit of the Cook Off while making it more accessible and beneficial to our restaurants,” said Suzi Youngberg, president of the Key Largo chamber. “It brings people through the doors, builds excitement throughout the month, and gives the public a direct voice in choosing the winners.”
Votes will be tallied at the end of the promotion, and winners will be announced in early November.
Trolley foodie tours offer additional flavor
For even more gastronomical experiences, the chamber will host two Trolley Foodie Tours during the month, offering ticketed guests a guided progressive dining experience. Participants will ride the trolley to multiple restaurants in one evening, sampling small plates and paired beverages at each stop.
Confirmed restaurants so far include Sol by the Sea at Playa Largo, the Catch, Italian Food Company, the Pilot House, Key Largo Conch House, Skipper’s Dockside and Gus’ Grille, with more to be announced.
Supporting local business and tourism
Taste the Keys is made possible in part through a grant from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and reflects the chamber’s mission to promote economic vitality in Key Largo and the Florida Keys. With support from tourism partners, hotels, and local media, the event is expected to draw both residents and visitors.
For full event details, menus, restaurant listings, and to cast your vote in the Signature Dish Showdown, stay tuned to www.tastethekeys.com.
