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Taste of Winter Haven dining passport helps support local restaurants

Taste of Winter Haven dining passport help support local restaurants
Posted at 4:06 PM, Jan 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-09-03 08:30:17-04

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Like many local restaurants, Tempo 1930 in Winter haven, suffered after COVID-19 forced many people to stay at home.

“When the pandemic first hit, definitely we took a hit just like everybody else. Then we started being created and learning how we can change our business motto,” explained Omar Andreasen, owner of Tempo 1930.

Omar Andreasen was looking forward to drawing new customers at Taste of Winter Haven, where 500 attendees can sample dishes prepared by local eateries and catering companies.

“This is actually the very first Publix that ever got started in 1930. So, this is where George Jenkins started. So, we have the history. We have the ambiance and we have this amazing food,” he said.

Taste of Winter Haven is also the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce’s largest fundraiser, but with the lingering threat of COVID-19, the Chamber had to pivot. They’ve created a dining passport with special discounts.

“Members of the public purchase the dining passport are sent the booklet and they can go and redeem those coupons through December 31st of 2021,” said Katie Worthington, Chamber President/CEO.

The Dining Passport are $50. The Chamber hopes they can drive added revenue to businesses, that need the extra support.

“At the Chamber of Commerce, we spent all of 2020 figuring out how we can help these businesses survive and a lot of our time was spent with this particular industry and that’s why we think it's so important to highlight it,” Worthington said.

If you're interested in purchasing a dining passport or are a business owner that would like to be featured, visit the Chamber of Commerce website.