Season is here. The weather has cooled down. The snowbirds are starting to flock south. The Speedos are out and about. And the festivals are here.
This weekend, in particular, the food festivals are going strong. Flavors of Fort Lauderdale is on in Broward. Delray has the Delray Beach Wine and Seafood Fest. And Boca is throwing its third annual Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival.
We know. It's a lot of options. Well, if you live in Boca or just want to sort through the events, we have everything you need to know on the Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival. The three day event--which kicks of this Friday--will feature over 100 local chefs, a sensory garden, and live music spread out over five different events.
Dinner Under the Stars
With seven local chefs and seven local sommeliers working together, Dinner Under the Stars will serve guests a four course dinner--paired with wine, of course. Nervous you won't like the food being prepared? Not a problem. Guests get their pick of culinary region: America, Italy, France, Spain. The dinner, which costs $150, goes from 7 to 10 pm. Guests are invited to shop the Retail Bazaar, hang out in the main entertainment lounge, and attend the vineyard party afterward. The dinner will be hosted by Honorary Chair Robert Stanfield and Resident Executive Chef Lee Blakely.
Vineyard Party
For those who like wine, but don't want to shell out the cash for dinner, the Vineyard Party presents another option. For $55 attendees get to walk through the vineyard to twenty different food and wine stations. The party starts at 7:30 and gives ticket-holders access to the shopping and entertainment areas.
Saturday
Perfect Pairing
One of the best parts of wine festivals is the day time drinking. If that's your kind of thing, from 10:30 to 1:30, check out the perfect pairing event. For $45, guests will get the chance to learn drink a variety of wines paired with small bites. Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah, and dessert wines will be tasted.
The Grand Tasting
Similar to the Epcot of wine and food festivals, the Grand Tasting will give guests a chance to eat their way around the world. From 6 to 10 pm, 77 chefs from the tri-county area will demonstrate and serve guests their favorite dishes. The event will send attendees through different regions of the world through food, wine, music, and decor. Leaving the best for last, the festival will lead guests to Sweet Endings Village. That's dessert, in case you were wondering. For $100, tickets include food, wine, a tasting class in the sensory garden, a farmers garden market, shopping, and live entertainment.
Sunday
Jazz Bubbles and Brunch
Any idea what this event features? Yep, you guessed it. It's a jazz brunch. For $75, guests get the chance to sample from multiple brunch stations and unlimited brunch booze--Sparkling Wine, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys. An electric jazz trio, the Urban Gypsy Band will be performing.