Hi, I’m Jessica!

I started Tampa Food Girl in 2018 as a way to document the growing food scene in Tampa! I’d worked in restaurants for years and had always been interested in finding delicious places to eat, but when I first moved to Tampa in 2013, I had a tough time finding the kinds of places I’d left behind in Charleston, SC. I eventually discovered excellent restaurants and cocktail bars and when Armature Works opened in 2018, it felt like a pivotal moment in the city’s culinary history. Tampa has since had an explosion of places offering everything from exceptional street fare to Michelin starred tasting menus.

I’ve kept exploring and gone on to create a business that helps chefs, restauranteurs and mixologists share their stories, which are as unique as the things they create. I still document my own experiences with new restaurants, hidden gems, local events and travel adventures. But I’m most passionate about creating connections: helping someone new to town find their favorite comfort food, growing communities online and in person, and celebrating the people who embody the spirit of hospitality.