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Key Culinary Tours News

It’s all about Owen!

  Owen Burns and the Burns Court Historic District Named by the prominent developer and builder, Owen Burns, Burns Court is located off South Pineapple Avenue.  It was constructed 1924/1925 and the winter cottages there were for wealthy northerners to escape the brutal winters.  Owen who was an avid fisherman, often visited Sarasota from Maryland to…

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August 9, 2018

Legacy of Mable Ringling during the Roaring Twenties The Roaring Twenties 1920-1929 before the Great Depression in October of 1929, was a ‘roaring’ time for Mable Ringling and her husband John. In the early twenties, they brought life to Sarasota with the building of their home, the Ca’ D’Zan, Venetian dialect for the “House of John.” Mable Burton Ringling was born on March 14, 1875 in Fayette County, Ohio. At the age of 30, she married the love of her life John Ringling, age 39, in 1905 in Hoboken, New Jersey. She was a resident of Sarasota from 1911 through 1929 until the time of her death at the young age of 54 from Addison’s disease and complications of diabetes. John Ringling had the Ca’ D’Zan mansion built for Mable as a gift to her in the bayshore area of…

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July 27, 2018

Grilled Summer Squash – YUM!

Summer squash are harvested when immature while the rind is still tender and edible. They have a short storage life and should be used within two to three days from purchased.  You should store them in the refrigerator, but wash when ready to use and not before. Handle them with care. The most common summer…

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July 24, 2018

All about Mangos!

Mangos (or Mangoes) Mangos, a stone fruit, are in the cashew family and from a tropical tree. It is a native of South Asia and worldwide is the most widely cultivated fruit in the tropics. Mangos are the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines, and the national tree of Bangladesh. Mangos have been…

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July 15, 2018

What is the world is a Jackfruit?

We recently discovered jackfruit at our Sarasota Farmers Market and were quite amazed at the wonderful taste of it. Jackfruit a native to Southwest India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asian countries is known as the “miracle” crop because of its many health benefits and rich source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and high fiber. It is…

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July 5, 2018

Lychee nut fruit sure are pretty but what can I do with them?

While the lychee nut fruit is called a nut, it is actually a fruit with a seed. It originated in provinces of China dating back to 1059 AD. Once you peel off the hard shell, you have a sweet, crisp, and juicy flesh with a “signature scent” of floral perfume. The seed is not edible…

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June 26, 2018

Come to the dark side …. Ghosts & Gruesomes – our newest tour!

We love how so many of you are always wanting to know about and try out new tours. We have a great one to tell you about today – our new evening tour Ghosts and Gruesomes! Now this one isn’t a food tour but it IS 75 minutes of fun, interesting stories and creepiness all at the same time! Best of all (since it doesn’t stop in air-conditioned restaurants) it starts in the evening when things begin to cool off a bit during our HOT Florida summer, but you should still be sure to bring water with you! The cost is $18 per person, reservations are required and it is not recommended for small children. The better tour to check out for them would be the Megalodon Shark Teeth Tour! You can’t say we don’t have fun here at Key…

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June 21, 2018

Have you heard about our ‘Gods, Goddesses & Myths Tour’?

Gods, Godesses & Myths is a 90-minute walking tour is for art, history, and legend lovers! Join our tour guides as they share the intriguing stories of many of the statues located around St. Armands Circle along with what they are made of, where they originated, and why we love them! Many of the pieces date back to the 1920s when they were brought over from Europe by John and Mable Ringling. Others are much more recent but all of them have interesting stories we’re ready to share with you! Unlike our other Key Culinary Tours, this St. Armands Circle tour is not based around food but is based on art, culture, and history. Come stroll through Sarasota’s past with us! When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday (Reservations required) Time: 10 a.m. Cost: $18 per person

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March 23, 2018

Happy 1-Year Anniversary to Key Culinary Tours! Celebrating a Year of Fun Things to Do in Sarasota!

Just over a year ago it seemed impossible that an area such as Sarasota, known for some of the finest restaurants and cuisine on the gulf coast, lacked a simple tourist attraction…culinary tours. Susan Robinson set out to change that when she founded Key Culinary Tours and introduced its flagship St. Armands Circle lunch tour in January 2016.  It was an instant hit. Guests not only loved the sampling of flavors around the Circle, but also hearing the rich history of John Ringling and the influence of the circus on our town. Guests also made it known they wanted more tours!  So Susan added a happy hour tour of St. Armands and a downtown Sarasota culinary tour near the historic Burns Court district. As tour popularity continued to grow, so did Susan’s desire to expand into specialty tours. Now just…

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March 31, 2017

A Tribute to the Circus / Fun things to Do in Sarasota

Feld Entertainment recently announced that The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus will end its 146-year run in May.  We are sad to hear this, as the circus is deeply engrained in the history of Sarasota and has been since John Ringling relocated the circus headquarters here in 1927.  Our entire city reflects this…

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January 30, 2017

A Fun and Memorable Way to Show Appreciation to your Office Staff

Looking for ways to motivate, incentivize and/or show appreciation to your office staff? Why not book a Key Culinary tour! Employees love being recognized for a job well done, and our tours are a fun way to reward them. We can accommodate up to 10 people on our St. Armands happy hour and lunch tours,…

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December 14, 2016

Exciting News this Fall – Our Tours are Expanding!

Key Culinary is thrilled to announce a new tour line up for this fall season! We’ve teamed up with the best local chefs, restaurateurs and art gallery owners to bring you an unforgettable experience. Tantalize your tastebuds and learn about Sarasota’s rich history at one of our exciting culinary tours, located throughout popular neighborhoods in Sarasota. Book your tour today! St. Armands Culinary Tour: Lunch Tours offered Wednesday– Saturday at 11 AM, Approx. 3 hrs Locations included: Shore, Blu Kouzina, Tommy Bahama, A Savory Palate, Pepper Palace, Columbia Restaurant Our flagship lunch tour begins in the center of St. Armands Circle. Bask in its tropical beauty as you stroll around the famous circle and learn about John & Mable Ringling and Sarasota’s rich circus arts history! Along the way, enjoy some of the finest local cuisine and tantalize your palate…

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October 28, 2016