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Busch Gardens sharpens food, concert menu in Food and Wine Festival's fourth year

 
No, this isn't Maryland-style crab cake. It's a roasted cauliflower dish that is prepared similarly for the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival this year. The festival runs March 3-April 29 at the Tampa theme park.  Photo courtesy Busch Gardens
No, this isn't Maryland-style crab cake. It's a roasted cauliflower dish that is prepared similarly for the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival this year. The festival runs March 3-April 29 at the Tampa theme park. Photo courtesy Busch Gardens
Published Feb. 20, 2018

Busch Gardens
Food and Wine Festival

At just 4 years old, the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival is the baby among the state's many spring festivals. Park managers heavily rely on customer feedback to keep retooling the weekends-only food and concert event.

"The biggest thing I think we learned is that folks like to chill out in a relaxed atmosphere, maybe try a new food and catch a concert they'd normally pay a lot for in an arena," said Jamie Johnson, vice president of entertainment for the Tampa theme park.

With food and wine as the titular star of the festival, the park's executive chef Ron DeBonis said a third of the 38 food offerings are new, a third are old favorites (bison sliders; bacon mac and cheese) and a third are tweaked versions of a popular dish.

DateS

Weekends March-April.

Entertainment

The lineup this year is loaded with '90s favorites, including TLC, Boyz II Men, the Goo Goo Dolls and Michael Bolton, as well as country and Southern rock. Strolling entertainers, elaborate topiaries and living statues abound. New this year are a Coca-Cola stage of regional music acts and local artists painting murals live in the festival area.

Food

New offerings include truffled seafood mac and cheese and a short rib and brie grilled cheese, served on house-made brioche. Frog legs, Cajun style, are the "shock and awe," DeBonis said, and a roasted cauliflower dish is prepared similarly to a Maryland-style crab cake.

Spirits

The popularity of sauvignon blanc and rose prompted kiosks of those trendy wines in a variety of styles. Bourbon tasting is back and new this year is a tequila tasting. Local craft beer is well represented, with at least half of brewers coming from Florida.

Insider tip

Hit the rides early and then head to the Gwazi Park festival grounds when it opens at noon to avoid the long lines that start to build up at 3 p.m. before concerts.

Getting there

Included with admission, which starts at $89.99 online; kids 5 and younger can get in free if registered online for a Preschool Pass. The park opens at 10 a.m. daily and food and drink stalls open at noon on weekends. 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa. buschgardens.com.