Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

🥘 Become a hotpot hotshot

Become Lakeland’s next hotpot expert

A table spread at Fire Hotpot & Korean BBQ with pots of broth

Don’t be afraid to try something new. | Photo by LALtoday

Fire Hotpot & BBQ, the first restaurant of its kind in Lakeland, has opened. If you want to try it, but you’re new to this cuisine, you’re in luck. We stopped by with Justin and Tammi — the self-proclaimed hotpot experts behind @eatalldafoodz — to learn their pro tips.

Hotpot is a Chinese dish where you cook ingredients at your table in a pot of broth. There are three components: Broth, sauce, and ingredients.

Start by ordering your broth. Tammi recommends the Thai tom yum for a kick, tomato broth for a vegetarian option, or the pork bone broth for a neutral base (great for beginners).

Fire Hotpot & BBQ ingredient bar — It’s all-you-can-eat here, so you can truly try everything.
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Photo by LALtoday

Then the fun begins. Visit the ingredient bars to fill a plate with your favorite foods. Justin and Tammi say the key is a balance of meats, vegetables, and noodles or rice.

Create your perfect dipping sauce at the sauce bar. Try Tammi’s favorite sauce recipe: Garlic, cilantro, green onion, and a 3:1 ratio of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Boiling hotpot and ingredients at Fire Hotpot & BBQ — Each seat has a burner built in to the table to cook your meal.
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Photo by LALtoday

Back at your table, bring your broth to a boil and add a few ingredients at a time. Thinly sliced meats will take around a minute to cook, while noodles can take several minutes. Justin suggests putting chicken, dumplings, and corn in first since they’ll take the longest to cook.

Move cooked ingredients from the pot to a clean plate or bowl, add your sauce, and chow down — just wait for it to cool first. Some may take longer to fully cook, but that’s okay. Hotpot is about socializing as much as it is eating.

Ready to try it for yourself? Fire Hotpot & BBQ is open at 4250 US Hwy. 98 N. Visit Sunday-Thursday from 1-11:30 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 1 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Events

Thursday, April 6

The Reserve Book Club | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 5:30-6:50 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Meet other readers to discuss the recent best-seller “Now is Not the Time to Panic” by Kevin Wilson — registration is required.
Charles R. Rubado Memorial Bowling Tournament | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Orange Bowl Lanes, 4318 US Hwy. 98 N., Lakeland | $40-$200 | Purchase an individual spot or bowling lane to raise money for Florida Southern College’s Charles R. Rubado Scholarship.
Jazz Ensemble Concert | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Bush Chapel at Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Don’t miss this jazzy concert featuring SEU School of Music students.

Friday, April 7

First Friday: Dog Days Downtown | Friday, Apr. 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Bring Fido for some First Friday fun, including a pet lookalike contest, pet parade, and dog agility demonstrations.
Movie on the Lawn | Friday, Apr. 7 | 7-10 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy live music, crafts for kids, and a free outdoor screening of the movie “Encanto.”

Saturday, April 8

Lakeland Family YMCA Easter Ride | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 8-8:45 a.m. | Lakeland Family YMCA, 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Kick off your Easter weekend with a group cycling ride at the Lakeland YMCA.
Buena Market Hosted by Bonnet Springs Park | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Shop from 50+ makers, artists, and vintage sellers while a live DJ spins the tunes.

Sunday, April 9

Easter Sunday w/ John Frinzi & Best Dressed Eggs | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 12-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Adults can hunt for eggs at 3 p.m., kids can smash a piñata at 4 p.m., and Best Dressed Eggs will be serving food all afternoon.

Monday, April 10

Easter Monday Single Day Camp | Monday, Apr. 10 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland, 6935 S. Carter Rd., Ste. 6, Lakeland | $89 | Drop off the kids to learn how to cook a meal — they’ll bring home a family dinner and dessert.

100+ more local events

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News Notes

Festival

Mayfaire by-the-Lake will return on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 on the shores of Lake Morton. This free fine art festival will include 150+ artist booths, performances, kids’ activities, and food trucks. Learn more about volunteering at this year’s event.

Family

Barnett Family Park will be closed from Tuesday, April 18-Monday, May 8 for repairs before the summer season. The playgrounds, splash pads, and picnic area will be unavailable. In the meantime, check out one of Lakeland’s 70+ other parks.

Talk

The American Center for Political Leadership will host a town hall event featuring US Rep. Darren Soto at 12 p.m. today at Southeastern University. The event is free and open to the public. (The Ledger)

Edu

Did you know that Florida Southern College is home to one of the Southeast’s largest and most diverse collections of roses? After around 100 cuttings of the rare roses were clipped, horticulture professor Dr. Miles Manners is encouraging visitors to look, but not touch the flowers. (WFTS)

Try This

Leave the kids at home, because Florida Children’s Museum’s Night at the Museum is just for grown-ups. Buy your tickets to enjoy games, food, and an open bar on Saturday, April 15 from 7-10 p.m.

Number

$22,200. That’s how much local startups won at Catapult’s latest Launch Pitch Night. See how the five winning businesses — Incog-Needle, OverTheShoulder, Pocket Wheels, The Cultivated Pig, and Broth Bombs — plan to use the funding here.

Sports

The golf may be simulated, but the fun is real. The Back Nine’s next golf league starts on Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19. Teams of two can play each week for a chance at prizes. Sign up at the downtown location (124 S. Tennessee Ave.).

Arts

Support Harrison School for the Arts students at two upcoming performances. Catch the Spring Guitar Concert on Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m., or see teacher Bekie Haubry inducted into the Harrison Hall of Fame at the Spring Piano Concert on Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m..

Shop

Head to Unfiltered Lakeland for the Champagne & Gravy Hat Bar launch party on Friday, April 7 from 6-9 p.m. Browse the style options to build your own brim, or schedule a styling appointment — see details here.
Our online store (Six & Main) is now featuring Cori Rose Handmade, a Lakeland-based brand featuring one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. We can’t get enough of these swan earrings. It adds the perfect touch to any outfit.

Eat

Out of time to plan + cook an Easter menu (or don’t want to show up empty-handed)? Publix GreenWise Market has ready-to-serve full meals, platters, and desserts (think: Complete meal for 7-10, antipasti platter, vanilla berry cake, and more). See details + order.*

Travel

Experience Greenville’s arts + food scene and SC’s gorgeous natural beauty (and say hello to our readers over at GVLtoday while you’re there). Starting June 7, Orlando International Airport is servicing Greenville two times per week via Avelo Airways. See more new and resuming destinations.*

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Coming Soon

📖 A new nook to find books

Lakeland’s new eLibrary at Kelly Recreation Complex

A rendering of the new e-library at Kelly Recreation Complex

Sit back and enjoy your latest page-turner at Kelly Rec Complex. | Rendering by Straughn Trout Architects

The Lakeland Public Library’s new Kelly Branch is set to open on Monday, Sept. 18 at Kelly Recreation Complex (404 Imperial Blvd.). The branch replaces the existing South Lakeland eLibrary in the Lake Miriam Shopping Center as its lease ends this year. It will close on Saturday, Sept. 2.

City commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from the city manager to construct a new eLibrary back in an April 2023 meeting. The $140,948 Kelly Recreation Interior Renovation project will add reading materials, self-service book lockers, technology services, and a seating area to the existing Activity Room.

Looking for your next read or a new hobby? The Lakeland Public Library’s three locations are currently open, and you can visit Kelly Recreation Complex for fitness activities and classes. Pro tip: Don’t forget to take advantage of all the perks of holding a library card at the new eLibrary.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Did you know today is National Library Day? I think I’ll celebrate by visiting my favorite Lakeland Public Library branch: The Lake Morton location. My reading list and Black & Brew’s new Strawberry Shortcake Matcha are calling my name.

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