Berry good tastes of the Strawberry Festival
Plant City has been berry, berry good to me.
Half-flat of ridiculously sweet fresh berries good to me. Cheeseburger on two strawberry doughnuts good to me. Sampled all three shortcakes and can tell you which I liked best good to me. So, before I hit the treadmill and take a nap, read on. Because if you’re planning to explore the spoils of this 2021’s Florida Strawberry Festival (March 4-14), you might want to be strategic about your munchies on the midway.
Strawberry shortcake
This perennial favorite (“it’s world famous!” the festival website proclaims) is available via three different vendors in multiple locations amid the fairgrounds. I tried the first — from Transforming Life Church — inside the Smithfield Strawberry Tent, which has ample seating, shade and entertainment on and off throughout the day.
The church has had a booth at the festival for 42 years running says its lead pastor, Kyle Judah, who saw last year’s attendance lowered slightly as the first inklings of the pandemic’s effects began to show themselves. He’s optimistic, though, based in part on his confidence in their recipe’s “secret sauce” and the likelihood that many people will be looking forward to getting out of the house.
And if you like Winn-Dixie sheet cake, that’s their base for this classic treat.
Berry Amaz’n’s got a small indoor space, too, just south of the TECO Expo Hall. The lady inside told me they use a local baker and yes, the cake here was dense, standing up better to the sauce. Interesting difference to note — Transforming Life uses canned whipped cream, BERRY AMAZ’N, a Cool Whip-like product.
The winner, in my estimation, was the shortcake proffered by Parkesdale Farms, whose nearby farm stand is something of a mecca this time of year. I popped in for strawberries there later and decided to hit a no-name roadside instead due to the wait, but their cake — you’ll find it in two locations — is a massive serving of local baker Alessi’s cake. One layer at the bottom soaks the juice, another on top stays a little drier, so you get two experiences in one heavy-duty bowl.
Strawberry doughnut cheeseburger
The regular donut burger is still their most popular, says Carousel Foods’ Diane Orme, but this Luther of a lunch offering was so popular last year, they decided to bring it back.
Featuring a juicy but manageable burger with all the fixings, it’s slathered with a strawberry jam mayo and piled onto two strawberry Krispy Kremes. This family-owned operation has been feeding festival goers since 1957, so they must be doing something right.
“And we’re sure happy to be back at work again!” says Orme.
Chocolatedipped strawberries
Ah, simplicity. Also, goo. Mavric’s Chocolate Barn hand-dips these beauts for a $1 a pop. Nice deal but get napkins. They’ll do a skewer of five for $5 so everyone in your group can share.
Strawberry kettle korn
Homer Simpson once called kettle corn “the heroin of the farmer’s market.” This version is like if movie theaters served breakfast cereal. Two or three visits to the Olde Tyme Kettle Corn booth, where punching bag-size bags go for just $5, might find you nursing some DT symptoms when the festival closes on March 14. Stock up.
Strawberry piggy cornbread shortcake
The barbecue peeps have found creative ways to stay relevant here over the years, and when Piggy Palace BBQ made their festival debut last year, owners Dan and Tami Gildea knew they needed something just for the event.
The answer: a savory(ish) version of strawberry shortcake, featuring pulled pork piled atop a hunk of sweet corn bread and drizzled with a strawberry barbecue sauce they came up with just for the occasion.
“We had no idea it would end up being as big a hit as it was,” Tami said.
Make sure you get a little of each element on your fork for the full effect.
Strawberry brisket tacos
Johnson’s Barbecue created a special strawberry pico de gallo for its tacos and it’s a welcome respite from all the goo, one that embraces the natural sweet and tart of the strawberries without a big ‘ol pile of sugar. This allows the tender brisket — really good! — to shine.
Owner Owen Johnson’s grandfather started up this local restaurant (it’s right up the road) back in the ‘50s and they are festival legacies at this point.
The taco was so popular, Johnson’s sister-in-law Hillary Hartline told me, that they started selling it there, too.
“But only during festival time,” she warned. “Otherwise you’ll have to wait ‘til next year.”
Strawberry shortcake milkshake
Just there for the Instagram? Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Just head straight to Polar Bear Ice Cream (there are three, the one by Gate 10 is the only one that sells this), get one of these monstrosities and call it a day.
“This is our fifth year doing the shake,” says owner Luke Decker. “We keep adding a little to it every year — cupcakes, brownies, licorice — people just love to get it for the wow factor.”
Indeed gawkers gathered as I sampled mine. As gorgeous as it is, though, the actual milkshake beneath is really exceptional — all fresh berries and cream and deliciousness. So if you don’t care about the pic, skip the flash and go simple.
The essence of this festival is the berries. Same goes for this shake under all its Fruity-Pebble flash.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando. foodie. Email: amthomp son@orlandosentinel. com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
Nancy Alvarez has been with Channel 9 since 2010.
WFTV anchor Nancy Alvarez revealed Friday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
She made the announcement on the station’s Eyewitness News This Morning show.
“During my annual mammogram a few weeks ago, a very small tumor was found in my right breast,” she said. “It turned out to be cancer. It’s stage one and there is no indication whatsoever that it has spread. This is curable and it’s manageable because I had my mammogram on schedule.”
She took the opportunity to share the importance of getting a mammogram.
“I am asking you to act. If you put off getting a mammogram because of the pandemic, or because you’re busy, or because you’re uninsured, please, make that appointment today. There are resources out there to help you.”
Alvarez said she would be away from the show for a short time.
“I’ll be gone for a little bit, for a few weeks to deal with this and I’ll be back soon,” she said.
Watch her announcement below or see it on WFTV.com.