FORGET FARM TO TABLE; IT’S BAY TO TABLE IN GULF COUNTY, FLORIDA

FORGET FARM TO TABLE; IT’S BAY TO TABLE IN GULF COUNTY, FLORIDA

Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, Flounder – All Biting Now In The Bay

PORT ST. JOE, Fla. (May 26, 2015) – Gulf County, Florida is full of culinary surprises. Tupelo Honey seeps into a lot of the dishes and desserts across the Gulf. New restaurants and food trucks are popping up with creative takes on Florida classics like baked oysters and shrimp and grits. But one of the most intriguing culinary elements of Gulf County is the concept of #BayToTable.   

At almost any time of year, you can hop on a boat, go fishing and then cook your catch for that evening’s dinner. You can’t get more fresh that that!

First time fisherman? No problem! Captains like Bobby Guilford from Break-A-Way Charters are fantastic teachers and guides. They not only make it fun, but you’ll learn a lot along the way. For instance, right now, redfish, trout, sheepshead and flounder are all biting in the St. Joseph Bay, while amberjack and cobia are popping up offshore.

Even better, Bobby will provide you with a demonstration on how to clean your fish (typically, filet and cut the bones out), or you can go to the Shell Shack in Mexico Beach and they’ll clean your catch for under $1 per pound.

Feeling more adventurous? Head on a diving or spearfishing trip to grab some lionfish. Ian Williams, an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef, has been cooking up tasty dishes at Sunset Coastal for four years. His lionfish dish is served whole, fried and with a Thai red pepper sauce. YUM!

Chef Ian has some other delicious recommendations for fish in season right now:

·         Grilled pompano with an Asian teriyaki sauce

·         Baked trout or red snapper with a pecan crust

·         Fried or baked flounder with crab stuffing

·         Blackened redfish with a Thai red-curry glaze

Finally, Chef Mary Ann Conroy of Gourmet Chef Now also has a few tricks up her sleeves. She loves taking fresh St. Joseph Bay scallops and making a melon ceviche or roasting them in the shell with garlic and butter. Want something lighter? She sautés some tomatoes with basil and sweet peppers and then takes fresh flounder and places it on top of the veggies to steam (check out her recipe). Overwhelmed by all of your options? She’s available for cooking classes, too.

And of course, Gulf County is more than just tasty seafood dishes. For details on even more adventures, check out some recommendations from our Adventure Guides.

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