 Every once in a while I get to spend time with fellow foodies and today was one of those times. Kiera Andrews, better known as on social media as @thisbabeeats, hosted a four hour tour of three food halls in Tampa for 30 foodies. Each stop offered samples of delicious food and drink, and lots of opportunities for meeting, greeting and Instagram- ing!  Sparkman Wharf has taken over where the Channelside shopping district once stood. It is home to several high-end kitchens and a sprawling outdoor play area. When cruise ships are not in port they open the area close to the water for visitors to enjoy shuffleboard or just hang out. We start at Sparkman Wharf, the new kid on the block when it comes to high-end multi-kitchen places to eat. First up is char-grilled oysters from Boat Run Oyster Company. It's an entire table full of different types of oysters, some from their own farm, and others from around the country, served with cans of ice cold beer. Okay...impressive beginning.  Several types of oysters as well as ice cold beer was available from Boat Run the Oyster Company  Chicken Curry Noodles from BT in a Box Next is Chicken Curry Noodles from BT in a Box. BT is one of my favorites here, run by the venerable BT Nguyen of restaurant BT fame. Just delish!  The foodies tour was shuttled around on our own private trolley car making the warm day much more pleasant The entire crew of 30 of us are shuffled around in an air-conditioned trolley. What a great way to go on a day when it's in the low 80s and humid. It also allows some of us to get to know one another since we aren't focused on food for a few minutes.  The second stop at Armature Works was held in their new classroom space called the Show and Tell room The next stop is Armature Works, a beautiful collection of eateries and open space built in the building that once housed Tampa's trolley cars. We are hosted in the Show and Tell room, a space set aside specifically for classes and events. Here we are served food from Empamamas, Hemingway's, BnB Tampa (butcher and barbecue), with drinks by Bar Armature.  Treats offered at Armature Works included Empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, and this pulled pork slider from BnB.  Interesting food like this bacon wrapped plantain from Empamamas offered foodies something different. Creativity and uniqueness is the name of the game in today's foodie world. The food tour delivered!  Food and photo ops ruled the day. Here host Kiera Andrews photographs Instagramers Nicholas and Ryan -nhieguys  Armature Works in Tampa Heights north of downtown resides in the former Trolley Barn where Tampa's streetcars were once housed Last stop is Hall On Franklin. It's the granddaddy of food halls in Tampa even though it just opened in 2017. We are greeted by a beautiful display from Bake'n Babes filled with Irish Car bomb Cupcakes! Poke Rose honors the crowd with a colorful bowl of Tamarind Curry Chicken with jasmine rice, and North Star Eatery brings it home with North Star Short Ribs. Wow!  Irish Carbomb Cupcakes from Bake'n Babes restaurant await the foodie tour at the Hall on Franklin  Poke Rose Tamarind Curry Chicken with Jasmine Rice  Influencers, foodies, and photographer enjoy food and camaraderie on the second food tour sponsored by This Babe Eats The cost for the four hour event was $100. While that might seem a little steep, if you take into account the amount of food and drinks that were available, it was a bargain. That, plus the ability to mingle with other foodies, photographers, and cool people makes for a great afternoon. Plans are to possibly do this every quarter. If you are interested pay attention on Instagram and follow @thisbabeeats!
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