Celebrating its fifth year, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival returns to Fort Lauderdale January 8-14 with an entire week of celebrity chef–led tastings, dinners, and happenings. Better still? All proceeds support the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Here, we spotlight three festival events that are worth the drive (or Brightline ride) north.
The Grand Tasting
The pinnacle of the festival, this adults-only, multi-hour, daytime affair at Las Olas Oceanside Park features unlimited bites and tipples from local mainstays plus celebrity chef entertainment aplenty. Head to the main stage to catch a cooking demonstration by MasterChef star chef Aarón Sánchez (pictured above), followed by a cook-off between Food Network royalty chef Jason Smith and chef Nancy Fuller.
When: January 13, 1 to 4 p.m.
Pricing: $95 in advance or $125 at the door.
Wok ‘n’ Roll
A new event, this cultural mash-up pairs an Asian street market vibe with American rock and roll at Backyard in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Look forward to limitless small bites presented by Two Happy Buddhas (best known for Temple Street Eatery), familiar rock anthems, and plenty of booze to go around.
When: January 11, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Pricing: $75 in advance or $110 at the door
Picnic in the Park
Presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, this complimentary, family-friendly event at Las Olas Oceanside Park features food trucks, cooking demonstrations for aspiring young chefs, live entertainment, and hands-on culinary classes for all ages (for an extra charge).
When: January 14, noon to 4 p.m.
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