Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 :: Clearwater Beach Uncorked

Thanks to YOU, my amazing readers + community, we won the 2016 Lifestyle Blogger of the Year for Clearwater Beach Uncorked! And I could not have done it with out you! Honestly, not just for your support during the campaign but for your continued support here on the blog, on Facebook, on Instagram and at In-Person Events. You give me energy and motivate me to keep creating and inspiring others everyday. 

Clearwater Beach Uncorked Luxury Lifestyle Blogger or the Year 2016 - An Appealing Plan by @kraylfunch

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - With me fellow bloggers winners!

Congratulations to all the winners of this years Clearwater Beach Uncorked Blogger Contest. They are stars in their categories and I am honored to be among them!

Beer Blogger of the Year ::

Crystal Hamilton of Thrifty and Frugal Living

 

Food Blogger of the Year ::

Billie Jo Grassinger of Tampa Bay Afternoon Delight

 

Luxury Lifestyle Blogger of the Year ::

Krayl Funch of An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch

 

Travel Blogger of the Year ::

Jennifer Greene of Journeys with Jenn

 

Wine Blogger of the Year ::

Megan Copello of I Run for Wine

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - VIP brunch event

As part of the winning prize pack we all were invited to attend the event as VIP guests and treated to a daily VIP Brunch featuring Chandon Champagne in a variety of flavors all served ice-cold. Each guest as offered a souvenir glass as well as your garnish of choice – grapefruit, mint or cucumber. Naturally I tried one of each. Tell me you wouldn’t do the same…

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - chandon champage at the VIP brunch event

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - VIP Brunch with Chandon and fellow bloggers

Although the weather was not ideal – rainy and cold – we stayed warm by huddling together and toasting friends with our fancy new drinkware.

{Side Note :: Please do not judge on the hair… like I said it was rainy and although my hair started out straight with a slight curl, mother nature took over and I soon moved to the trusty ponytail and signature Hunter boots to give into the weather.}

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 Chobani yogurt with Salsa

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 Chobani yogurt with toasted coconut

Once we entered the main tent the food sponsors were diverse and ready for the crowds. Chobani offered two options on their Greek Yogurt – both incredible – Jicama + Corn and Toasted Coconut + Pineapple. As a visual person I have to say it was the prettiest booth under the tent.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - sujara organic juicesJust outside the tent SUJA Organic Juices took the prize for the prettiest display on the beach. Who could resist the rainbow of goodness here! I could not. Their Twilight Protein with Almond Milk, Strawberry and Vanilla was 20 times tastier than expected and has me thinking I need to schedule a one-day renewal cleanse asap.

As if the 50 or so vendor serving up their best morsels wasn’t enough the Publix Kitchen Theatre featured an on the hour line up of Publix Apron Chef’s whipping up appetizer size portions of hearty dishes to tempt you to stay in your seat the remainder of the day!

And what would a foodie event be without my favorite celebrity chef and friend, Emily Ellyn! 

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 Food Network Star Emily Ellyn on the Publix stage BrewBQ

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 Food Network Star Emily Ellyn on the Publix stage BrewBQ with can

As usual, Emily had the crowd smiling the entire time and anxious to head right to their home kitchens to try out the RAD Brew B-Q  recipe – Beach Blonde Crafted Carnitas Tacos with Bimini Twist Cilantro Slaw featuring Florida local Three Daughters Brewing. 

She even put my husband Pete to work serving tasting portions of the Bimini twist – there is a chance he taste tested more than he served but luckily Three Daughters was on hand with a few extra cans to pass out.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - Publix Kitchen Stage with Blogger Winners + Emily Ellyn

Other favorites in the crowd included the super sweet owner Leah of SOCIAL Enjoyment Sake Sparkling Wine. Not only is the owner sweet and cute but so is the packaging and debatably as important the flavor. The two varieties include Hibiscus Cucumber and Coconut – I preferred the Cucumber as it was a tad less sweet and I could totally see us drinking it at a beach party. But try both and decide for yourself.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - SOCIAL sake cocktail collage

After a refreshing beverage what are you craving… something with a little more substance so I headed to the end of the tent to visit my friends at the Florida Beef Council who were serving up a tasty goodness to a long line of beef lovers! Who doesn’t love #BeefOnTheBeach? Just sayin’.

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - Krayl with Ashley from Florida Beef

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - Florida Beef Happiness

Our stay at the Hyatt Clearwater host hotel was nothing short of fantastic. Although chilly the beach view was spectacular and I dream of heading back to the pool bar for sunset or to the roof top deck for a dip in the hot tub. Fingers crossed for the 2017 win as well!

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - sunset view from the Hyatt Clearwater Beach host hotel collageLast but not least, thank you to the Clearwater Beach Uncorked Founder, Tammy Gail, for welcoming us all and showing off her hostess skills during this food, wine, beer and fun weekend in Clearwater! See you next year!

Clearwater Beach Uncorked 2016 Food and Wine Event @KraylFunch Lifestyle Blogger of the Year 2016 - Krayl Funch with Founder Tammy Gail

 

 

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