4th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ

November 12, 2011
HarborWalk Village, Destin

Local restaurants will be firing up their grills for a good time and a great cause at the 4th annual Blues, Brews & BBQ on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 12 to 4 p.m. at HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association's Northwest Florida Chapter will host a creative and spirited BBQ competition. Tasting wristbands will be sold for $20 for guests to sample the all the award winning savory BBQ and over 20 cold craft beers. Proceeds from the event benefit FRLA's Prostart educational program which supports the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Brews and BBQ
Some of the restaurants participating in this year's culinary challenge include Harry T's Lighthouse, The Fish House, Great Southern Café, McGuire's Irish Pub, Fish Out of Water, The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, Poppy's Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, Hard Rock Café, Emerald Grande, and Sandcastles at Hilton Sandestin. Blues, Brews & BBQ is sponsored by Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pepsi and Miller Lite, Goldring Gulf Distributing, Skyy Vodka and Southern Wine and Spirits.

Last year's winners who took home the trophy and the bragging rights were Great Southern Café for Best Seafood BBQ; The Pensacola Fish House for most Unique/Creative/Originality; Legendary Emerald Grande for Best Traditional Taste/Flavor, and The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint for Best Booth and People's Choice.

Blues
Don't miss the amazing Bill Wharton, "The Sauce Boss", performing on the main stage at HarborWalk Village. Since 1990, the Sauce Boss has cooked fresh gumbo on stage for his audiences, all for free, while simultaneously playing his own brand of swampy Florida's blues. A Sauce Boss event transcends a musical performance. It's a soul-shouting picnic of rock & roll brotherhood. And at the end of the show, everyone eats his homemade gumbo.
 
Blues, Brews & BBQ is a fun, spirited fund raising event that supports the next generation of hospitality professionals. Northwest Florida area has over 7 schools participating. Come out for a beautiful fall day on the Destin Harbor and take part in delicious BBQ food samplings from  over 12 regional restaurants, 20 beer tastings and the incredibly talented culinary and musical antics of a native Floridian, The Sauce Boss!

More on FRLA
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is among the most influential trade associations in Florida. The association was established in 1946 to represent the restaurant industry. Since that time, the scope of FRLA's representation has expanded to include the entire hospitality industry including lodging establishments, restaurants and thousands of suppliers to the industry. The association counts among its members some of the largest businesses in each of these categories.   

The mission of FRLA is to Protect, Educate, and Promote the hospitality industry. The power and influence of FRLA is indisputable with a legislative track record to back it up. Led by CEO Carol Dover and an active Board of Directors, FRLA has been effective in influencing legislation that has saved the industry $1.2 billion in taxes and fees over the past 10 years.