The Sarasota-Manatee Originals was established in September 2003 based on a shared passion to celebrate and preserve our community's culinary "sense of place." A group of 24 independent restaurateurs from Sarasota and Manatee counties joined together to become Florida's first chapter of a group of this kind. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals now boast more than 50 active members located from the northern tip of Anna Maria Island to Venice Pass at the southernmost point.

The prevalence of quality independent restaurants in the Sarasota-Manatee area is unsurpassed in the state of Florida. Within a 20-mile radius of downtown Sarasota, there are more Florida Trend Award and Zagat top-scoring restaurants than any other area in state. Remarkably, each one of these award winners is independently owned.

Our independent restaurant owners and chefs are obsessed with the flavors that define our region, yet are always looking for ways to incorporate interesting styles of cuisine from around the world into our own brand of SunCoast dining. Our motto is: "Eat Like a Local." We promise to serve our guests only the freshest food available. Our long-standing business and culinary relationships give us the distinct advantage of offering you meals prepared within hours of harvest from fields and waters close to our kitchens.

Our restaurateurs are famous for dishes that embody the flavors, color and culture of Florida's West Coast. Our fabulous menus offer locally caught or farmed seafood, fresh, just-picked fruits and vegetables and ever-inventive use of the best ingredients produced right here at home by chefs with a commitment to their suppliers, their customers and their craft.

Many of our member restaurants have been serving locals and visitors alike for 20 to 30+ years and have established a culinary heritage that simply can't be replicated in the corporate kitchens of Chicago, Los Angeles or Dallas. We live here, work here and play here.

From a casual meal on the beach to an exquisite four-course fine dining experience, we guarantee the meals you eat at member restaurants are freshly prepared using the best local ingredients combined with the famous heritage flavors of the SunCoast. It's what makes us The Originals!

Our Organization Mission Statement 

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals exists to promote dining in independently owned restaurants and collaborates to serve the interests of the independent restaurateur in our community.

Potential Allied Members Should

1. To market the positive attributes of Sarasota-Manatee Originals member restaurants and to raise public awareness of what makes us special and unique.
2. Abide by the same Code of Conduct as SMO restaurants 

Business Partnerships

We maintain partnerships with various suppliers and vendors who support our group and our individual restaurants. These companies recognize and support our mission to promote locally owned independent restaurants.  Our business partners provide financial support to our organization to fund our marketing program. These partnerships are unique to each supplier and mutually agreed upon between the company and The Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

Allied Membership

There are several local businesses who provide a product or service that many of our member restaurants use or would use in order to operate efficiently. Once an Allied Member, your business will be introduced and endorsed to our member restaurants. Allied Membership may also be combined with Forks & Corks corporate sponsorships.

There are 3 different levels of Associate Membership:

• Industry Exclusivity
• Local Supporter
• Approved Vendor

The partnership benefits vary with the three different levels of partnership.  Some very valuable benefits of joining The Sarasota-Manatee Originals as an associate member are:

1. Having a presence on The Sarasota-Manatee Originals website, link, and logo.
2. Personal endorsement of company/product/service to our restaurant members as well as an opportunity to present company/product to our restaurant members.
3. 1-2 eBlasts to membership about company/service/product.
4. Company is included on a vendor list that is distributed to all restaurant members.
5. Ability to have Originals distribute company’s promotional materials to the restaurant members
6. Opportunity to partner in area charitable events.
7. First right of refusal to sponsor our annual food and wine festival, Forks & Corks.
8. Exclusive press release announcing the partnership.

If you or the company that you represent is interested in becoming an Associate Member of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, click here for an application or contact Sarah Firstenberger for an application.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 941-365-2800.