Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for 15 years. His work has won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists, as well as an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation. Follow him on Twitter: @LeveyBaker.

Free & Freeish

Delicious and Cheap Spots to Grab a Bite in Sarasota-Manatee

From an incredible selection of Asian food to over-the-top doughnuts, you can eat well on a budget here.

12/21/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Window Wonderland

A New Bradenton Café Offers Coffee and Greek-Inspired Breakfast and Lunch Items

Kefi Streetside Cafe is located in a former bank converted into a walk-up outdoor café.

12/17/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Let's fantasize

Five Fake Hallmark Holiday Movies Set in Sarasota That Need to Happen ASAP

If you are rich and would like to finance any of these, have your people call my people.

12/16/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Dive In

Sarasota's Coolest New Bar Is Tucked Inside the Back of a Liquor Store

Dive Wine & Spirits is your new destination for a great cocktail.

12/15/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Energy

Florida Power & Light Unveils Massive Solar-Powered Battery in Parrish

The largest solar-powered battery in the world is now located in Manatee County.

12/13/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Fresh news

The Manatee County NAACP Has Started a New Monthly Farmers Market

The next one takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 11.

12/10/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Hitting the Road

Miss Susie's Newtown Kitchen Goes Mobile

The truck has a busy schedule, with multiple stops scheduled for most weeks, most of them located in north Sarasota.

12/03/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

A Gift That Will Last a Lifetime

Looking for an Unusual Holiday Gift? Book a Personalized Message From a Local Celeb.

Paul Reubens, Jerry Springer, Nik Wallenda and several cast members from MTV's 'Siesta Key' are using Cameo to send customized messages to fans.

12/01/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Essential Intelligence

The Incredible History and Uncertain Future of the Iconic Florida Orange

The citrus industry is in trouble, but the orange continues to symbolize the Sunshine State’s allure.

11/30/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Christmastime Is Here

You Need to Try My Mom's Sugar Cookie Recipe

Why? Because it's the best.

11/30/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Weekend update

The Meadows Has a Farmers Market Now

The market kicked off in early October and operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday.

11/21/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Victory Is Sweet

Sarasota Ice Cream Maker Wins Big at National Ice Cream Competition

Yoder's Southern Creamery was recognized for its classic vanilla, as well as its non-dairy peanut butter brownie flavor.

11/18/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Bundle Up

Taste of Immokalee's Holiday Gift Bundles Are Back

The company is run by high school students who use the profits to provide scholarships, internships and job training to young people in Immokalee.

11/16/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Ghost Kitchen

Deck's Plate Brings Delicious Plant-Based Food to Your Doorstep

Brothers Erik and Evan Decker offer vegan delivery and takeout from a space on Bee Ridge Road.

11/16/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Friendly City Food

New Cookbook Spotlights Recipes and Stories From Bradenton

"Tales From the Table: Flavors, Families, and Friends" contains 10 local recipes.

11/16/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Wait Is Over

The Bijou Café Will Reopen Next Week

The restaurant has been closed for three months for renovations.

11/12/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q & A

Ellen Hughes-Cromwick on What the New Infrastructure Law Means for Climate Change and Electric Vehicles

You can hear Hughes-Cromwick's views at the Climate Adaptation Center's Nov. 19 Florida Climate Forecast Conference.

11/11/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pie possibilities

Your Holiday Pie Doesn't Need to Be Pumpkin. Here Are a Few Tasty Alternatives.

Key lime pie? Strawberry pie? Oatmeal pie? Your options are limitless.

11/10/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

From tree to table

The Apple Truck Is Bringing Michigan Apples to Sarasota This Week

The stop is part of a tour of 90 cities across the South.

11/08/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

New In Town

A Team From D.C. Is Behind Meliora, a New Restaurant Coming to Hillview Street

The menu will feature "some pasta dishes, a lot of seafood and a lot of pork," according to chef Drew Adams.

11/04/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker