This year, Broward County is getting in on the action. According to SoBeWFF event director and founder Lee Schrager, the idea to expand the festival into Broward County with the introduction of this year's Taste Fort Lauderdale Series marks a natural evolution of the nationally recognized event.
This year, Schrager is introducing the inaugural edition of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Taste Fort Lauderdale Series, which will kick off a day earlier than with years past beginning Wednesday, February 24, with an event dubbed Seaside Eats. The dinner will take place at the city's historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens and will be hosted by Robert Irvine, a British celebrity chef who has appeared on a variety of Food Network programs including Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, Restaurant: Impossible, and Restaurant Express.
Over the next few days the series will continue with several intimate dinners taking place at various Fort Lauderdale restaurants and featuring renowned chefs and culinary personalities including Todd English, Debi Mazar, Gabriele Corcos, Marc Vetri, as well as Auberge Resorts' Robert Curry and Paul Lemieux.
"Broward's dining scene has been growing steadily over the past few years, and
The Taste Fort Lauderdale Series will culminate with a Bloody Mary Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton, hosted by the 2015 cast of Food Network's Chopped on Sunday, February 28.
Popular returning events for the SoBeWFF 15th year include the Wine Spectator Wine Seminars, Paella & Tapas by the Pool hosted by José Andrés, Tacos After Dark hosted by Aarón Sánchez, the Art of Tiki hosted by Guy Fieri, and a Yappie Hour hosted by Rachael Ray.
There are also several new Miami-based SoBeWFF events in 2016, including:
- Grilled Cheese Happy Hour hosted by Laura Werlin & Ms. Cheezious
- Midnight Breakfast hosted by Chrissy Teigen & Fireman Derek
- Dessert Party hosted by Duff Goldman
- Croquetamania hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
- Like Water for Chocolate Screening & Conversation with Screenwriter Laura Esquivel
"We’re looking forward to the inaugural edition of the Taste Fort Lauderdale Series in Broward County this year," added Schrager. "From the kick-off event on February 24 hosted by Robert Irvine, to the Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by the cast of Chopped on February 28, it’s a great line-up all weekend long, for both Miami and Broward. This year, our goal is to reach and engage a new audience, as well as highlight the growing culinary scene beyond Miami."
The festival’s exclusive MasterCard presale period begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 5 at sobefest.com, or by calling 877-762-3933. Phone sales open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Public ticket sales for the 2016 Festival open at midnight on Monday, October 19.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.