Record-breaking $30K raised at sixth annual Bloody Mary Fest
The Beach House, Signature Catering take top awards
Special to 30A Food and Wine
Nov. 8, 2021
MIRAMAR BEACH – The Market Shops hosted its sixth annual Bloody Mary Festival Oct 23. The annual event, powered by Step One Automotive Group, raised $30,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County, a record-breaking amount for the festival. The sold-out event welcomed over 1,000 guests and featured unlimited tastes of the Emerald Coast’s most creative and inventive Bloody Marys made with Distillery 98’s local Dune Laker vodka served by 17 of the finest restaurants, bars, and catering companies in Northwest Florida.
Guests were greeted upon arrival with festive tomato-themed balloon décor, courtesy of Mingle, before entering the bustling courtyard and grand lawn, each full of restaurants, vendors, and merchants from The Market Shops. Event goers made their way around the tents sampling each Bloody Mary, complete with over-the-top accoutrements, served in specialty cups provided by Compass Builders of Florida, Frill Seekers Gifts, and Visit South Walton.
Upon check-in, guests received a token in order to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the “Best Bloody Mary in South Walton.” At the end of the event, votes were counted by Hill Coleman, CPA, and all awards were custom made by local artist, Maxine Orange.
Awards
People’s Choice Award
First place – The Beach House
Combination of house-made mix, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, fresh lemon and lime juice, olive juice, hot sauce, and a spice rim. Garnished with fresh shrimp cocktail, a blue cheese stuffed olive, pickled green bean, and applewood smoked bacon.
Second place – Cannery Lane Cantina
Carlito’s Zesty Pao Pao Bloody Mary Mix made with 100 percent natural tomato juice, fresh horseradish, pickle juice, lime juice, and lemon juice.
Third place – Camille’s at Crystal Beach
Signature, classic house-made Bloody Mary garnished with the restaurant’s most popular menu items including a fried green tomato, Cubano, and peppadew pepper stuffed with espresso bacon jam and goat cheese.
Judge’s Choice Award
Signature Catering of 30A
Greek-inspired Bloody Mary made using fresh, local arugula from Greenman’s Garden, fresh dill, Meyer lemon juice, and Texas extra virgin olive oil served with dry ice.
The Market Shops thanks participating groups from Alys Beach, Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits, Bitterroot, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Cannery Lane Cantina, Emeril’s Coastal, Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi, La Crema, Old Florida Fish House, Ovide, Signature Catering of 30A, Stinky’s Fish Camp, The Beach House, The Chef’s Table Catering Company, The Grove 30A, The Henderson Beach Resort, and The Perfect Pig.
Food was offering from The Market Shops restaurants, including Ben & Jerrys, Clean Juice, Jon Smith Subs, Parlor Doughnuts, and Pizza by the Sea. Apart from the Bloody Marys, guests sipped on local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company and champagne from the Bubbly Bar, courtesy of Hey Mama Wines, Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard.
Photos by Amber Yonker Photography