TAMPA, Fla. — Sarah Fludd is a waffle evangelist. And why not?
These magical grid cakes are brick and mortar-bound, after Fludd began a waffle food truck adventure in 2017, Pop Goes The Waffle.
A $10,000 grant for women business owners from Stacey's Rise Project helped push the wheels forward in Fludd's waffle world.
The project offers business mentoring.
Fludd prasied their efforts to help her open her new cafe at 5004 Tangerine Avenue South in Gulfport.
She promises a new waffle recipe when the cafe opens.

Champa Bay Chili and Cornbread Waffles 

Chili 

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
2 pounds ground beef (or plant-based meat substitute)
2 teaspoons kosher salt + extra pinch
2 teaspoons black pepper + extra pinch
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
2 cups tomato sauce
1⁄4 cup cornmeal 

Use medium heat to warm oil in large pot, add beef along with pinches of salt and pepper.
Break up meat and stir until completely brown.
Remove meat to another bowl, discard remaining fat leaving just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
Add diced onion and garlic, saute for 3 minutes. Return beef along with all spices.
Add enough water to cornmeal to make thick paste.
Add this to pot along with stock and tomato sauce.
Turn heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes – stirring every 5 minutes.
Uncover and simmer for 15 minutes more, or until chili thickens. 

Cornbread Waffles 

1.5 cups flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablepoons sugar
2 large eggs
1⁄2 cup melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
Pan Spray 

Preheat waffle iron to highest setting.
Whisk together dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.
Pour wet into dry and mix until no dry ingredients are visible – but don’t overmix!
When waffle iron is hot, spray with pan spray and add 1⁄4 cup of batter for each waffle.
Cook until golden brown, 2-3 minutes.
Waffles can be kept warm in the oven until all are cooked.
Plate a waffle – top with as much chili as your heart desires and add your favorite toppings – shredded cheese, diced red onion, chopped tomatoes, jalapeno, sour cream, bacon bits – the sky is the limit!