A flan from a past dinner organized by BeyLoved Pairings Credit: Onward Production / BeyLoved Pairings
Some of the best things about Tampa come together at one table this weekend in Ybor City—all for a good cause.
That’s when the historic district’s beloved cave bar, Sky Puppy Brewing, hosts John LoScalzo’s Loko Cuisine (stylized “LOKO”), BeyLoved Pairings founder Joanne Mumbey, a certified cicerone (think beer sommelier), and Tampa tour guide Max Herman for “Flavors of Ybor.”
Together, the collective has put together a four-course dinner with curated beer and wine pairings, woven together with storytelling. A portion of the proceeds benefit Ybor Misfits Micro Sanctuary which has basically been the guardian angel for neighborhood chickens since about 2016.
The menu includes a welcome pour, plus mojo port pâté with grain mustard, cornichons on a La Segunda crostini, a ropa vieja, and dulce de leche flan with chocolate cookie crumb and espresso cigarillo.
The star of the evening, however, could end up being the crispy deviled crab croquette, which LoScalzo will serve as a chilau-style sofrito along with his signature dry-hopped hot sauce.
In a 2010 column for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, the late Tampa historian and author Andy Huse took readers back to the late-1800s when the waters around here teemed with blue crab. While deviled crab was a signature, portable, meal for Tampeños, enchilado, or “chilau,” a simple dish of blue crab simmered in a slightly-spicy tomato sauce and served over pasta, was the plate that brought people back to the table.
“Every major ethnic group in Tampa ate it,” Huse, who died last year, wrote. “The tomato sauce is light enough to let the crab play lead, substantial enough to cling to the pasta, and spicy enough to keep it all interesting.”
Vegans and those with shellfish allergies, of course, can participate and will get dishes using mojo roasted jackfruit, hearts of palm, and shredded mushrooms as substitutes. The pairings for specific wines and beers from award-winning brewery Matthew McKinnon will be announced at the dinner.
See more food & drink events coming to Tampa Bay from Aug. 27-Sept. 3 below. Don’t see your event listed here? Please help our team out by submitting it to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s events calendar.
Buttercream & Piping Inspired by Yvette Mayorga Thursday, Aug. 27. 5 p.m. $80 & up. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org
Beyond the Teabag: Exploring Fine Chinese Teas Friday, Aug. 28. 10 a.m. $35. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Night Out Cooking Class – Italiano Moderno: Italian Elegance Friday, Aug. 28. 6 p.m. $95. Foodie Labs, St. Petersburg. thefoodielabskitchen.com
Suncity Sapphics Mixer Friday, Aug. 28. 7 p.m. No cover. Foodie Labs, St. Petersburg. thefoodielabskitchen.com
Wine, Cheese & More Pairing Experience Friday, Aug. 28. 7 p.m. $37.45 & up. Aspirations Winery, Clearwater. aspirationswinery.com
15th Annual Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest Saturday, Aug. 29. 12 p.m. $20 & up. Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org
Hearth & Harvest Craft Night Saturday, Aug. 29. 7 p.m. $25. Grindhaus Brew Lab, Clearwater. grindhausbrewlab.com
Meet Me in Paris – Brunch with Kristin Harmel Saturday, Aug. 29. 11:30 a.m. $35 & up. Coastal Creative, St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com
Weekend Wake & Bake Saturday, Aug. 29. 11 a.m. No cover. Herban Flow, St. Petersburg. herbanflow.co
Chef Suz Pop-Up Dinner Sunday, Aug. 30. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. 86 Wine Bar, St. Petersburg. @86winebar for more info
Baristas & Biomechanics: Ergonomics for Coffee Workers w/Dr. Joey Shamp Monday, Aug. 31. 6 p.m. Pay what you can ($5 suggested). Bandit Coffee Co., St. Petersburg. @banditstpete on Instagram
Beloved Community Recovery Café Grand Opening Monday, Aug. 31. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. 1940 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. recoveryepicenterfoundation.org
Dr. Paul Bearer Unveils Embalmond Joy Ice-cream Thursday, Sept. 3. 6 p.m. No cover. Small Batch Creamery, St. Petersburg. smallbatchcreamery.com
Night Out Cooking Class – Caribbean Paradise Thursday, Sept. 3. 6 p.m. $95. Foodie Labs, St. Petersburg. thefoodielabskitchen.com
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This article appears in August 20 – 26, 2026.
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