Anna Maria Island Local Food Expertise

In the past, we have gotten in touch with some Island experts to share their knowledge on topics like weddings, interior design, and Island style. This month we’re going a slightly different route. Instead of interviewing people who are experts on local food (our theme of the month), we want to share some incredible resources.

Whether you live in the area or are just in town for a visit, these are the places you should go to learn everything you need to know about great local restaurants, the local agriculture scene, farm-to-table dinners, and much more.

Since 2010, Edible Sarasota has been delving deep into the dining scene in Sarasota and its surrounding areas (including Anna Maria Island) with their comprehensive coverage of local cuisine and all things adjacent.

You won’t find by-the-book restaurant review here instead; you’ll find behind-the-scenes peeks into restaurant kitchens and in-depth conversations with talented local chefs. You’ll also read about the small local produce suppliers that work with the restaurants, about local farms who sell to restaurants and locals, about independent vendors bringing prepared foods and baked goods and more about the many wonderful local farmers’ markets.

Tracy Walsh Freeman and Tina Bossy-Freeman put together a truly beautiful, informative, and fascinating publication every quarter. You can find issues in many local restaurants and at the Whole Foods market, or check out the digital issues on their website.

Another great way to learn about local restaurants is from the restaurants themselves.

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals are a long-established organization of 53 member restaurants. They are located all over the area – Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Anna Maria Island – and represent a vast diversity of styles of cuisine.

What they have in common is a deep commitment to supporting each other and making sure that the local, independent food scene continues to flourish in the face of increasing development in the area. They’ve recently started a new series on their website called Local Dish: this series of articles really captures what sets these local restaurants apart and makes them so original; thanks to in-depth interviews with chefs and restaurant owners.

Finally, Sarasota Day is a great new resource for finding Sarasota’s hidden gems. They cover the best of Sarasota’s off-the-beaten path places and events, and this is especially evident in their food and drink blog.

If you have any other local food resources that you would recommend please let us know by leaving a comment.