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Michelle Stark - Culture Editor
Michelle Stark

Culture Editor

I'm the Culture Editor for the Tampa Bay Times, overseeing a team of reporters that cover everything from restaurants to Florida nostalgia to the latest exhibits at local attractions. We help you plan the things that enrich your lives, staying on top of the local dining scene and things to do around town. I started at the Times as an intern in 2010, working as a copy editor before joining our team of culture writers as a jack of all trades. I've produced video series, designed newspaper pages, managed a food section as our food editor, planned large-scale projects and more. You can catch me soaking up culture all over Tampa Bay, from orchestra shows to salsa dancing to fine dining. I'm an Orlando native, a graduate of the University of South Florida, and the proud owner of way too many pairs of boots for someone who has never lived in a state with seasons.

  1. See photos from our Top Restaurants event, and sign up to know about 2026
    • Food
    Staff with St. Petersburg's Wild Child restaurant prepare bites for guests at the Top Restaurants top 10 reveal party at the Floridian Social, Tuesday, Nov. 11, in St. Petersburg.
  2. Tampa Bay Times launching Food Hub to grow local restaurant and bar coverage
    • Food
    The Times' Food Hub consists of, from left, Helen Freund, Meaghan Habuda, Michelle Stark and Evan Rodriguez.
  3. At Sarasota’s 131 MAIN, enjoy American cuisine in an ultra-chic setting
    • Bay Magazine
    The interior of 131 MAIN.
  5. From St. Petersburg to Sarasota, try 5 of the bay area’s best museum cafés
    • Bay Magazine
    Delicious pastries at Café Clementine in St. Petersburg.
  6. Ready to dig in? Our Top 50 Restaurants list is coming soon
    • Food
    As last year's Top Restaurants event, Helen Freund interviewed a panel of local chefs that made the list. This year's list drops soon.
  7. New Italian restaurant coming to Carrollwood, from Cooper’s Hawk group
    • Food
    Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk will serve Neapolitan pizzas.
  8. 5 Halloween events to put on your calendar this year
    • Things To Do
    Scare actors perform at the scare zone Sin City Zombies during Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream in 2024.
  9. Need to find Zen? Tampa Bay spas have splurge-worthy offerings
    • Bay Magazine
    One of the soothing treatment rooms for couples at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club.
  10. Get a taste of rare liquors through Pluma Lounge’s vintage spirits program
    • Bay Magazine
    There are about 30 to 40 vintage bottles available in Pluma Lounge's vintage spirits program.
  11. Floridians, others react to Hulk Hogan’s death in Clearwater
    • Entertainment
    Hulk Hogan talks with sportscasters outside Amalie Arena in 2019.
  12. 7 places to get seriously good ice cream around Tampa Bay
    • Food
    Max Chillura, co-founder, scoops some ice cream into a waffle cone at Chill Bros. Scoop Shop on Oct. 7, 2022, in Tampa.
  13. How this organic farm became one of Manatee County’s biggest players
    • Food
    A look at the fields at Gamble Creek Farms.
  14. Vacationing at Disney? Here are 5 of the best places to eat
    • Food
    Morimoto Asia opened 10 years ago this September at Disney Springs.
  15. 7 new restaurants in Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch to check out now
    • Food
    Flower Child is a new restaurant in Lakewood Ranch's Center Point plaza.
  16. Look Alive Coffee is popping up on menus across Tampa Bay. Here’s why.
    • Food
    Michael and Kelly Packard own Look Alive Coffee, a full-service roastery that launched in February 2024.
  17. 4 Tampa Bay cocktail trends worth raising a glass to
    • Bars & Breweries
    The Bay Got Me Sippin cocktail at Allelo is made with a simple syrup flavored with bay leaves.
  18. It’s hot! 9 pools and resorts to swim in around Tampa Bay
    • Entertainment
    SkyBeach Resort offers a day pass to check out its waterfront pool.
  19. Ocean Prime restaurant expands to Sarasota, opening two-story spot downtown
    • Bay Magazine
    A new Ocean Prime restaurant opened recently in Sarasota.
  20. New display at Selby Gardens shows a different side of this Beatle
    • Kids & Family
    In the George Harrison exhibit at Selby Gardens, you'll find nods his personal life and music.
  21. 11 of the best happy hours in Tampa Bay
    • Bars & Breweries
    Tampa's Tori Bar has beer and wine deals and a rotating $8 cocktail if you're looking for a deal.
  22. Florida blueberries are in season now: 5 things to know
    • Food
    It's prime blueberry season at Keels Farms in Plant City.
  23. A popular Tampa ramen restaurant comes back to life in a new space
    • Food
    Ramen at Ichicoro in Tampa
  24. Here are the Broadway shows coming to Tampa’s Straz Center in 2025-2026
    • Stage
    Shows coming to the Straz's 2025-26 Broadway season include "The Wiz," "The Notebook" and "& Juliet."