Celebrity Chef Brad Kilgore is set to headline the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration presented by Florida Blue. The celebration, which will take place on Friday, April 29 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, is Orange Bowl’s signature fundraiser with more than $150,000 in proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Special Olympics Florida and Orange Bowl Cares.
Attendees will enjoy unlimited food tastings from more than 30 of South Florida’s top restaurants and chefs. In addition, guests will be treated to a selection of wines, craft beers and signature cocktails. To date, this year’s confirmed restaurants include Boatyard, Bo’s Pub, Casablanca Café, Divieto, Fogo de Chao, Opera House, Pizzeria Magaddino, S3, YOLO, Ale’s Paella, Bolay, Crepemaker, Ninashe’s World Famous, Petit Cakes, Smiles Gourmet Pudding and others, with more restaurants added daily.
Tickets start at $100 and can be purchased online at orangebowl.org/obfw, by calling the Orange Bowl Ticket Office at 305-341-4701 or by e-mailing tickets@orangebowl.org.
“The Orange Bowl Committee does so much tremendous work in the community year-round, highlighted by this unique and entertaining giveback opportunity benefiting such amazing charities,” said Orange Bowl Committee President & Chair Frank Gonzalez. “We could not be prouder of this extraordinary culinary event and we are so appreciative of all the restaurants and chefs that will be donating their time and efforts for such a great cause.”
Headlining the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration presented by Florida Blue is Chef Brad Kilgore, who comes full circle as he won Best Miami-Dade Restaurant with J&G Grill at the 2014 celebration. He is an internationally-renowned chef and restauranteur whose accolades include Food & Wine Magazine’s ‘Best New Chef’ in 2016, James Beard Award nominee for the ‘Best Chef South’ and multiple nods for ‘Best Chef’ in Miami. After relocating to Miami from Chicago, Kilgore worked at the famed restaurant Azul in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Jean George Vongerichten’s J&G Grill at the St. Regis Bal Harbour, where Chef Kilgore and his team were the only establishment to receive 4 Stars from the Miami Herald. In the Summer of 2015, Chef Kilgore opened Alter in the art-focused Wynwood district of Miami. His latest project is an exclusive, members-only restaurant called Verge, located within the world-class racetrack resort The Concours Club.
“We are grateful to the Orange Bowl Committee for their incredible support and generosity. Due to their commitment to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, we are able to continue to create life-changing wish experiences for hundreds wish children and their families,” said Norm Wedderburn, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida President & CEO. “The Orange Bowl Food and Wine Celebration is an example of OBC’s commitment to making a long-lasting impact on our community.”
“We are so grateful to the Orange Bowl Committee and its leaders for their incredible support over the years,” said Special Olympics Florida President & CEO Sherry Wheelock. “They are wonderful partners dedicated to helping the athletes of Special Olympics Florida and building inclusive communities for all people with intellectual disabilities. We know this year’s Celebration will be spectacular, and we are thrilled to be part of it.”
The event also features live entertainment throughout the night, raffle prize giveaways and a silent auction. The numerous exciting prizes include a Celebrity Cruises 7-night Caribbean cruise package, luxurious hotel stays and autographed sports memorabilia.
A panel of celebrity judges will rate each dish to determine who will take home the awards for Best Miami-Dade Restaurant, Best Broward Restaurant, Best Overall Restaurant and Best Dessert. In addition, attendees will get to vote for the People’s Choice Award for Best Bite and Best Dessert.
VIP tickets are $230 each and include 1-hour early access to the event at 6:30 p.m. before the doors open to general admission guests at 7:30 p.m. In addition, VIP ticket holders will receive access to the exclusive VIP lounge featuring upgraded food and beverage options, complimentary parking and a premium VIP gift bag.
The Orange Bowl Committee has maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach through its Orange Bowl Cares program, and the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration is a signature element of that thanks in part to presenting sponsor Florida Blue, and associate sponsors Arcade1Up, CBS4, Celebrity Cruises, Cinch Home Services, Creekstone Farms, Deloitte, Dunkin’, Florida Power & Light Company, Four Roses Bourbon, Hard Rock Stadium, Holy Cross Health, O’Neill Wine, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Hollywood, Sun Sentinel Media Group, TD Bank, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Toyota and Visit Lauderdale.