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Business Expo Was In Good Taste

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By LAURA FRAZIER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 23, 2008

Updated: 05/23/2008 11:37 am

TAMPA - Lorraine Bennett deftly balanced a plate of pasta, a stack of brochures and two sacks of swag as she led her husband through the throng at the Brandon Business Expo and Taste of Brandon.

Curtis Bennett made haste to keep up with his wife at the 20th annual event, held May 15 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center.

"I've been letting her come by herself all these years," Curtis Bennett said. "Now I realize - big mistake! I've been missing out on all these fantastic samplings and different tastes."

George T. May IV, honorary mayor of Brandon, said the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce holds the expo each year to enable businesses to promote their goods and services. And it's one of the best bargains in town.

"Where else can you go for $10 and get freebies with all you can eat? It is not to be missed," May said.

More than 2,000 people turned out to peruse about 200 business exhibits and sample food from 28 restaurants and caterers who entered the Taste of Brandon contest. Patrons juggled plates, cups and goodie bags filled with promotional giveaways as they strolled past displays touting everything from Web content management systems to invisible dog fences.

Samples of fine wine, marinated rib-eye steak and tarts filled with brie, peaches and amaretto were offered alongside chicken wings, barbecue and pizza.

At a wine-tasting booth, Time for Wine owner Charles Visalli poured a glass of Kadarka, a red wine, for Vicki Griffith and Greg Jones of Brandon.

"It's a little sweet for me," Jones said, crinkling his nose.

Griffith begged to differ. "No, this is good," she said. "It's a summer-sitting-by-the-pool red."

Visitors who voted for their favorite taste-off contenders were entered in a drawing for 20 gift baskets donated by vendors. Many participating businesses also handed out promotional items.

Jessica Watson of Tampa and Melissa Roberson of Brandon dumped out their swag bags to inspect their loot.

"We got beer coozies, chip clips, cigars. ... This is so cool," Watson said.

The friends skipped lunch to make sure they had room to sample all the fare.

"We're calling this 'Fat Fest 2008,'" Roberson said.

Child-friendly fare and freebies were popular with families, many of whom maneuvered strollers through the crowd.

Dillon Buckles, 8, ran from table to table to sample treats and collect free trinkets with his sister Sydney, 3, and friend Leah Johnson, 6.

"They have all kinds of neat stuff at the podiums," Dillon said. "I got a lot of stuff, but I gave like half of it to Leah. She's my good friend from church."

Kathy Marthey came with her daughter Kelli, nephew Charles Hall and granddaughter Abigail Foulks, 19 months.

"This is a value," Kathy Marthey said. "We usually go out to dinner on Thursday nights anyways, so I thought for 10 bucks each we could just come here."

Sarah Schwartz of Valrico made no bones about what brought her to the event.

"We're just here to eat," Schwartz said. "I have four teenage boys with me, so look out."

Lorraine Bennett, who has attended the expo for eight years in a row, said she plans to return in 2009.

"I like the food and all the people laughing and talking and having a good time," Bennett said. "It's just fun, and it's interesting to see all the new businesses that have sprouted up in Brandon."

TASTE OF BRANDON WINNERS

BEST TASTE: Cheddar's Casual Cafe, 11135 Causeway Blvd., Brandon

BEST DESSERT: Sweetie's Delights Bakery, 1050 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico

BEST BOOTH: The Tea Cup Tearoom, 1107 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Brandon

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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