Many things that remain a mystery about the legend of Whiskey Joe: did he really tame an alligator? Did he really ride out a hurricane, single-handed, on his small sailing vessel in Tampa Bay? Some things we may never know. What we do know is...
Orphaned on a Caribbean Island as a child, Joe was "taken in" by the salty world-renowned captain, Shanghai Red, to serve in the ship's galley. Sailing from shore to shore and island to island, Joe quickly learned the ways of the open sea and the food many a distant land-from exotic new dishes of fish, coconut and spices to new and unique ways to spin a beverage to appease a weary traveler.
As Joe traveled to many distant lands, his cooking skills improved. With every new port-of-call, Joe learned to cook with a variety of ingredients and spices, in as many different ways. All the while, he never lost sight of the importance of whiskey, wine, beer, and booze when it comes to keeping people happy.
Joe eventually headed out on his own to conquer the world, soon making his own name as a renowned pilot, sailor, and adventurer. Eventually, Joe made his fortune. Some suspect that Joe found a long-buried treasure, but no one knows where his loot is stashed today. With Joe, everything was larger than life and always a mystery.