The Zest

Amaris Castillo grew up around bodegas, which are small, owner-operated convenience stores.

Her new book "Bodega Stories" is a portrait of the bodega her parents own in St. Pete called Orlando Latin Market. The book is part autobiography and part oral history of her Dominican-American family and the customers who frequent the store.

Talking to host Matthew Peddie on "Florida Matters Live & Local," Castillo gives insight into her upbringing and how the bodega is a home away from home not just for Dominicans, but Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Cubans, Haitians and more.

Thanks to our friends at Florida Matters Live & Local for sharing this conversation, which was recorded in September 2026.

For the past few months, we've been checking in with some past Zest guests. 

Giuliano Hazan is a cookbook author and culinary instructor in Sarasota. He is the only child of the late Marcella Hazan, who is credited with popularizing traditional Italian cuisine in the United States. Dalia visited Giuliano at his home in June 2024, and she returned for another conversation at his kitchen table this past summer.

Thanks to our friends at Florida Matters Live & Local for sharing this conversation.

Tampa Bay has more awesome coffee shops than we can count. In honor of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29, The Zest’s brand manager, Alexandria Ebron, recommends a few places to find your next cuppa joe:

Don’t see your fave on this list? Shout out your favorite coffee shop on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We love classic stadium food as much as the next person. But this season at Raymond James Stadium, you might want to skip the chicken tenders and nachos in favor of some one-of-a-kind culinary creations. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chef Series returns, inviting award-winning local chefs to feature signature dishes for purchase at select home games.

In this bonus episode, The Zest’s brand manager and football foodie, Alexandria Ebron, gives us a preview. 

Which game day dish scored a touchdown with you? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram pages.

In honor of Mexican Independence Day, join Alexandria Ebron of The Zest for a tequila tasting at Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval inside the Tampa Marriott Water Street.

We're having a blast checking in with some past Zest guests. 

As part of a 2019 series on honey, Dalia visited owner Jennifer Smurr at her wildly popular Born & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland. The bakery uses local honey in many of its recipes. Dalia recently caught up with Jenn, and boy did she have some big updates to share.

Thanks to our friends at Florida Matters Live & Local for sharing this conversation.

As if we ever needed an excuse to eat tacos, Sept. 16 is Mexican Independence Day. (Thought that was Cinco de Mayo? Now you know.) In this bonus episode, The Zest’s brand manager and taco connoisseur, Alexandria Ebron, discusses her favorite local taco spots:

Don’t see your fave on this list? Shout out your go-to taquería on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and you’re definitely invited to the cookout. In this bonus episode, The Zest’s brand manager and foodie-about-town, Alexandria Ebron, discusses her favorite local barbecue spots:

Don’t see your fave on this list? Shout out your go-to barbecue joint on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Zest is nominated for Best Podcast. To vote, please click on this link, select "entertainment" and then select "podcast." You can vote daily until Aug. 30. Thanks in advance! 

This summer, The Zest Podcast is checking in with some past guests. In 2022, we met Ellen and Cameron Macleish. They’re a mother-and-son duo working to reduce food waste while tackling food insecurity in Northern Pinellas County. Their nonprofit, 360 Eats, turns surplus food donations into meals for the hungry and compost for gardeners. 

Cameron is the executive director and Ellen, a professional chef, works her magic in the kitchen to turn random ingredient donations into delicious meals. The Macleishes and their team then distribute the meals via a food truck, where hungry people can eat for free.

Dalia recently caught up with Cameron. She shared the update with Matthew Peddie on Florida Matters Live & Local.

The Zest is nominated for Best Podcast. To vote, please click on this link, select "entertainment" and then select "podcast." Thanks in advance!

All summer long, WUSF is highlighting interesting food trucks in the Tampa Bay region. And one is a taco truck with a niche: Everything they sell is 100 percent plant-based. It's called The Meatless Mexican. Our colleague Sky Lebron spoke with co-owners Paul Zampieri and Jodie Kurrle. 

You can watch a video of The Meatless Mexican here. Thanks to our pals at The Bay Blend for sharing this story.