Flavors of Florida, the premier UF/IFAS tasting showcase, proudly celebrates its 10th year of highlighting the state’s signature and emerging flavors. This year’s event, to be held on April 3 in the Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., promises an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence, community engagement and support for Florida’s youth through 4-H. Tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/IFASFOF25.
Join us for an evening that not only offers an array of unique tasting opportunities but also celebrates Florida’s diverse produce and innovative food science. Participants will sample chef-curated dishes and drinks featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from UF/IFAS research facilities and generous Florida farmers and ranchers. Commodity highlights include:
- Florida beef provided by Quincey Cattle Beef in Chiefland.
- Fresh blueberries donated by Wild Goose Farms in Umatilla.
- Flowering annual and perennial plants – grown by students in the Annual and Perennial Gardening course at UF – which will serve dual purpose as decor and take-home gifts for guests.
| “I told a friend that it’s probably the best event I attend on a yearly basis. I mean it!” -2024 participant |
The Florida Peanut Federation will again host a station serving peanut butter cookie s’mores to celebrate Florida 4-H camps; the UF/IFAS food science and human nutrition department will showcase a dish with the theme “Food as Medicine;” and lead culinary partner Bert Gill from Blue Gill Quality Foods and Mildred’s Big City Food will serve up a tasty slate of dishes prepared by both Gainesville restaurants.
Additional tasting partners include Fresh from Florida, Underground Kitchen, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Northwest Seafood, Muñecas Downtown Taco Garden, Island Grove Wine Company, Florida Peanut Federation, Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co., and the Florida 4-H Food Challenge State Champions. Sponsors and tasting partners will continue to be added to the event website.
The event is more than tasting opportunities, though. Each ticket purchased includes a $25 gift to the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program. Florida 4-H engages more than 200,000 young people each year in hands-on learning experiences rooted in agriculture, STEM, civic engagement and leadership, and healthy living. 4-H is empowering a generation beyond ready for life and career in an ever-changing world.
Those registering for the event are welcome to make an additional gift to Florida 4-H program when purchasing their ticket. Anyone can give directly to the fund at ufgive.to/4H25.
Tickets: $120 (purchase at tinyurl.com/IFASFOF25)
Lodging: Travelers can secure a special room block rate at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center by contacting Yeisi Perez at (352) 384-3407.
For more information, including about available sponsorship and tasting partner opportunities, please visit the event website or contact Heather Yoder at yoderh@ufl.edu or 352.392.1975.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas.ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.
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