From Bloody Mary Brunches to oceanside dining and multi-sensory experiences, Greater Fort Lauderdale will cater to chowhounds and foodies during the inaugural Taste Fort Lauderdale culinary series, February 24-28, 2016. This is the first time the destination will officially participate in the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (SOBEWFF), which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
The five-day Taste Fort Lauderdale will kick-off with the sold-out Seaside Eats hosted by Robert Irvine at the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens on Wednesday, February 24th, and continues throughout the weekend with a series of intimate dinner experiences and signature brunch – act fast, tickets are still available for select events including:
Thursday, February 25th
Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin stars Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar will host a dinner with local Chef Angelo Elia at his eponymous restaurant, Casa D’Angelo Ristorante. Guests will enjoy a Tuscan-style dinner based on the restaurant’s philosophy, tutto su gli ingredienti (it’s all about the ingredients). Tickets are $250.
Todd English, restaurateur and four-time James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef will join Chef Chris Miracolo to host a beachside dinner at S3 Restaurant. The two progressive chefs will offer a special menu with highlights including a coconut-vanilla-habanero Canaveral red shrimp ceviche, ribeye two-ways and a unique take on pineapple upside-down cake with olive oil polenta sponge, basil ice cream and berry chartreuse. Tickets are $250.
Saturday, February 27th
A Napa-Style Dinner hosted by Robert Curry and Paul Lemieux, the executive chef and pastry chef of Napa Valley’s Michelin-starred Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, will offer a taste of Auberge Resort’s world-class dining experience in a setting that will make guests feel as if they are floating atop the Atlantic Ocean; guests will also get a sneak peek of the Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, which is set to open in Fort Lauderdale in 2017. Tickets are $200.
At the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood’s acclaimed Kuro restaurant, celebrity chef Justin Warner and Kuro executive chef Alex Becker, will host a New Style Remix Dinner, a multisensory journey pairing DJ Felix Da Housecat’s eclectic music soundtrack with a multi-course new-style Japanese dinner. Stand-out dishes will include Hamachi Blood Orange with yuzu koshyo crispy Tokyo negi and star anise; Pan Roasted Black Grouper with sunchoke puree, lemon and yuku confit; and Cocoa Rubbed Wagyu Beef with togarashi cauliflower, eggplant and moromi miso. Courses will be complemented by Kuro’s taste-driven cocktails and a variety of high-end sakes. Tickets are $200.
Sunday, February 28th
The culinary series’ closing event will be a Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by the Cast of Chopped at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Free-flowing Bloody Mary offerings, incorporating classic flavors and modern twists on the brunch favorite, will be served along with distinctive dishes, with a focus on fresh and local fare, from chefs from all over South Florida. Tickets are $175.
“Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to some 4,000 restaurants, eclectic cuisine and top-notch chefs,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Conventions & Visitors Bureau. “The decision to bring a high caliber event such as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival solidifies our standing as a culinary hotspot and foodie destination. Come for the food, stay and have your fill of our world-class beaches, hotels and attractions.”
For tickets, visit sobefest.com/tasteftl and for information on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s restaurants, visit www.sunny.org/restaurants.