Delectable Delights Highlight Flavors of Florida

By Brad Buck
University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists toil for years creating and enhancing many of the foods we consume and plants we enjoy. When it comes to plant breeding, UF/IFAS is a global leader. In fact, UF/IFAS is ranked as a top-10 horticulture program in the 2017 Center for World University Rankings.

Many of UF/IFAS’ tastiest creations will be available for consumption or on display at this year’s Flavors of Florida event.

Scheduled for April 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University House, 2151 W. University Ave., Gainesville, Florida, the event offers guests an opportunity to sample foods containing UF/IFAS-developed ingredients prepared by local celebrity chefs. This year’s sample dishes will include citrus, tomatoes, meats, strawberries, blueberries and olive oil to tempt the taste buds.

Additionally, non-edible plants, such as a relatively new cultivar of Mexican petunia, also will be showcased.

Other features at Flavors of Florida this year include:

• Ornamental plants bred by UF/IFAS scientists, such as Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex). Wild Ruellia was introduced from Mexico and is an invasive plant in Florida and six other southern states. So far, UF/IFAS scientist Rosanna Freyre has developed four sterile cultivars in the Mayan series, which means they don’t become invasive by seed dispersal.
• Music by talented 4-H youth, the Messina brothers of Gilchrist County on the fiddles and 4-H alumnus Chandler Ash playing guitar and singing.

UF/IFAS also would like to thank the following partners for participating in this year’s Flavors of Florida:

For more information about Flavors of Florida, please contact the UF/IFAS Office of Advancement at 352-392-1975 or advancement@ifas.ufl.edu.

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Sep / 2023