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]]>Over four decades ago The Hernandez Family opened their first Cuban Café in Tampa Bay. Focused on staying true to the tradition and authentic flavors of Cuban cuisine, they committed to use only quality ingredients and proven family recipes to build their menu. That dedication continues as the
Hernandez family delivers authentic Cuban taste to satisfied patrons throughout the Tampa Bay region. Cuban cuisine is the result of mixing Spanish, African and Caribbean flavors. Whether you choose the award- winning roast pork, the mouthwatering black beans and Spanish rice or a rich Cuban espresso, you are guaranteed to experience the vibrant, diverse flavors and aromas of authentic Cuban Cuisine.
Pipo’s owner/chef Ramon Hernandez has twice won the Top Local Chef competition. Pipo’s was named Best Cuban Restaurant in Tampa Bay Magazine, Best Cuban Sandwich in Pinellas County and a three-time winner of the Ybor Cuban Sandwich Competition. Pipo’s Cuban Café wants to thank you for nominating them as the Best Cuban Restaurant in Readers’ Choice for the past 9 years.
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Four decades ago, the Hernandez family opened their first Cuban cafe in Tampa, using family recipes to build their menu. Ramon Hernandez worked in this original Pipo’s: cooking, washing dishes, learning the art of hospitality.
Ramon then went on to study architectural art design, and in 1989 he opened another Pipo’s in Tampa. This was his first of 16 restaurant openings!
These days, Ramon is focused exclusively in Pinellas County, with Pipo’s restaurants on Bay Pines, downtown St. Pete, and south St. Pete, ensuring fans a Pipo’s meal wherever they are.
Ramon’s most recent venture is the project in south St. Pete’s historic 22nd Street district, and in addition to a Pipo’s cafe, that includes Callaloo Southern Fare and the Historic Manhattan Casino, creating a dining, drinking and social space for the whole community.
Ramon and his restaurants have won numerous recognitions, including LocalShops1’s Top Local Chef and the Cuban Sandwich Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has built a popular catering operation that participates in festivals including Taste of Pinellas, Florida Food & Brews, and Shopapalooza.
What’s most important and what defines him, Ramon says, is his involvement and passion for the local community, and his support for charities including Habitat for Humanity and CASA, memberships in local chambers and other business organizations, and being able to step up in times of need to help with disaster relief projects.
Ramon credits his success on hard work, community, and the passion his wife, Maria, and son, Ramon Jr, have brought to their restaurants, plus the support Christian and Cassandra lend to him and the family business.
Source: http://www.bestinbiztampabay.com/pipos-cuban-cafe–callaloo.html
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]]>Those who donate three to six nonperishable items (cereal, pasta, canned veggies, soups and the like) will score a buy one, get one free deal on daily specials up to $10.95. Corey’s Bakery & Catering will dish out the cake, and Beach Groomers Pet Salon & Boutique will offer complimentary nail trimming to pups.
And on Monday, the prices at Pipo’s are set to take a step back in time during its 1979 Night soirée. Diners will score entrees from around $4 to $6.
Source: https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/the-big-3-6-pipos-birthday-bash-to-feature-food-drive-throwback-prices-12269770
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]]>The post Pipo’s chef wins Local Top Chef competition for second year appeared first on Pipo’s Cuban Cafe.
]]>For the second consecutive year, chef Ramon Hernandez of Pipo’s Restaurant in St. Petersburg was the winner of the Top Local Chef competition, sponsored by LocalShops1 and Intensity Academy.
Hernandez beat out seven other chefs to win a spot in this summer’s World Food Championships in Las Vegas, where he will compete for prizes up to $500,000.
His winning dish, Pigs in Paradise, featured pork and cheese empanadas served over a sweet plantain mash with a fiery sauce made with Intensity Academy’s Saucy Everything. All competitors were required to use the local hot sauce manufacturer’s product in their dishes.
Others competing at the cookoff held April 27 at the Gulfport Casino were Granny Smith Kitchens, St. Petersburg; Island Flavors and Tings, Gulfport; Serendipity Cafe, Dunedin; Shubee Shack, North Redington Beach; Taco Bus, Tampa and St. Petersburg; Twisted Cork Grill, St. Petersburg; and Wine Madonna, St. Petersburg.
“Our chefs stepped it up to bring a showcase of what locally owned restaurants have to offer: outstanding food, fun personalities and a wide a diversity of styles,” said Mo Venouziou of LocalShops1, an online venture that promotes local businesses.
Shubee Shack chef Pat “Shubee” Bearry’s crab cakes earned him the People’s Choice Award.
Judges were Janet K. Keeler, Tampa Bay Times; Isabel Laessig, FamilyFoodie.com; Noah Pransky, 10 News; Carlos Hernandez, CarlosEats.com; and Cathy Salustri, the Gabber.
The fifth annual competition is set for April 26 at the Gulfport Casino. For more information, visit toplocalchef.com or email [email protected].
Source: https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/food/dining/pipos-chef-wins-local-top-chef-competition-for-second-year/2178003/
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]]>Along with winning the competition’s Giant Silver Knife, Hernandez will now progress to a wild card spot in the World Food Championships in Las Vegas to compete for up to $500,000 in prizes.
The cooking completion featured eight competing chefs from Granny Smith Kitchens in St. Petersburg, Island Flavors And Tings in Gulfport, Serendipity Cafe in Dunedin, Shubee Shack in North Redington Beach, Taco Bus, in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Twisted Cork Grill in St. Petersburg and Wine Madonna in St. Petersburg. LocalShops1 and Intensity Academy organized the event.
The winning dish, Pigs in Paradise, featured two pork and cheese empanadas served over plantains mash and Intensity Academy’s Saucy Everything. The dish was garnished with a bedding of banana leaves and topped with roasted pimientos, cilantro and secret spice.
“I felt confident coming into the competition, but knew that I would be up against some very good local chefs, that’s why it took me weeks to come up with the right combination of flavors, that once combined I would have a winning recipe,” Hernandez says in a press release.
Shubee Shack Chef Pat “Shubee” Bearry’s crab cakes earned him the People’s Choice Award and a deluxe LocalShops1 business membership, valued at $200.
The event helped raise food and funds for the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation, which offers seniors health care, meals and social services.
Source: https://www.businessobserverfl.com/article/st-pete-chef-headed-world-food-championships
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]]>Last Sunday, a crowd of over a hundred packed into the Ale and the Witch for the second annual LocalShops1 Top Local Chef Competition. The event sold out weeks in advance.
I joined Tampa Bay Times Food and Travel Editor Janet Keeler, Channel 10 reporter (and jalapeno eating champion I learned) Noah Pransky, and the Family Foodie as judges.
Each chef had to incorporate the Intensity Academy Gourmet & Hot Sauce Company’s Garlic Goodness sauce into the dish they served. Dishes were judged on a scale of 1-5, based on taste, best use of ingredient, presentation, and creativity.
Roast pork and black bean croquette with corn rémoulade from Pipo’s.
All the dishes were beautiful and delicious but Pipo’s roast pork and black bean croquette with corn rémoulade took top prize. Also noteworthy was Meze 119’s habanero bread pudding. Congratulations to everyone who participated!
Source: https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/pipos-wins-top-local-chef-12270553
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