Schedule:

January 8, 2024

CLASSES And SEMINARS

Tropical Farmhouse Cooking with Celebrity Chef Nancy Fuller - 6:30pm

$95 with book or $85 without book/person

Hosted at Allied Kitchen & Bath

Celebrity Chef Nancy Fuller is bringing the ‘Farmhouse to the Beach’ along with Chef Jorge Montes.  To kick things off, you’ll enjoy Nancy’s famous ‘GiGi Juice’ and ‘Gracious Grapes’, grapes rolled in Roquefort cheese and walnuts.  Then we’ll learn to make Corn Chowder with Key West Pink Shrimp and Strawberry Shortcake with Guava Strawberries. Last, but not least, we will plate everything up and enjoy the meal together with Nancy and Jorge.

-Included with this class is your very own copy of Nancy’s New York Times Bestselling cookbook, ‘Farmhouse Rules: Simple, Seasonal Meals for the Whole Family’.

Nuggs & Bubbs with Sommelier Davey Lopez and Chef Walter Navarro at 6:30pm

$50/person

Hosted at Sidewalk Bottleshop

One of the most popular flavor pairings is savory with sweet – think cheddar cheese and apples, honey and vegetables or chicken and waffles.  In this seminar, we make it a little extra by pairing chicken nuggets and a variety of sauces and with various sparkling wines.  With culinary creations by Chef Walter and wine pairings by Sommelier Davey, you’ll learn about pairing wines in a fun and unpretentious environment with vibes for everyone.  Cheers!

VLFWF Dining Series

The #VLFWF Dining Series is a curated, chef-driven series of intimate dining experiences with some of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary stars!  Innovative dishes, with interesting wines and creative cocktails shine as the chefs get out of their comfort zone to create a memorable dining experience for all in attendance.  Just like the entirety of festival week, the experiences benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Opening Night Dinner at Heritage with Chef Rino Cerbone at 7pm

at Heritage

$225/person

January 9, 2024

CLASSES And SEMINARS

Vegan Pizza Making with Chef Tom Magaddino at 6:30pm

$65/person

Hosted at Gulf Stream Brewing

Indulge in the ultimate pizza making class and Italian tasting with a vegan twist while enjoying delicious beers from Gulf Stream Brewery.  Chef Tom Magaddino will guide you through the night with courses featuring elements of vegan pizza.  From pizza bread croutons adding a crunchy twist to salads, elevating our soup game with a pizza umami garlic bread, a slice of one of our favorite pizzas and that’s not all – learn the art of pizza stretching creating your own masterpiece.  This experience will be an unforgettable gastronomic adventure all while discovering the true essence of vegan pizza-making.

Floribbean Tapas with Chef Jorge Montes at 6:30pm

$75/person

Hosted at Sistrunk Marketplace

Enjoy a night of tapas with Florida and Caribbean flavors. You’ll start the class the right way with a refreshing Guava Bourbon Punch.  We’ll kick up the flavor with some delicious Goat Cheese stuffed Dates with Jamon Serrano and Habanero Honey.  Then we will make a delicious Rum Glazed Shrimp on Garlic Toast. For the finale, we’ll make Avocado Deviled Eggs with Chorizo.  Last, but not least, we will plate everything up and enjoy the meal together.  Your instructor for this class is Chef Jorge Montes of Sazoned, an online culinary platform.

Whether you’re a novice or an aficionado, enjoy a fun and educational seminar exploring the North, Central, South and Island Regions of Italy with Sommelier Roberto Colombi, Co-Owner of Union Kitchen & Bar.  During this seminar you will taste the following wines: North Region: Franciacorta Brut DOCG – Barone Pizzini | Lombardy; Central Region: Verdicchio di Matelica DOC – Garofoli | Marche; South Region: Aglianico Del Vulture DOCG – Paternoster | Basilicata; Island Region: Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye, Donnafugata | Pantelleria, Sicily.  Light hors d’oeuvres by Chef Christie Tenaud.

The Art of Dumplings with Chef Alex Kuk and Chef Diego Ng at 6:30pm

$75/person

Hosted at Temple Street Eatery

Join us for ‘The Art of Dumplings’ during VLFWF week.  During this class you’ll get small bites, a cocktail and dessert.  First, you’ll experience a demo on how to prepare dumpling fillings as well as how to make different styles of dumplings with Chef Alex and Chef Diego.  You’ll then get to make your own dumplings that you can take to cook at home.  Not to worry, we’ll give you take home recipe cards as well.  You’ll also receive the book ‘Let’s Make Dumplings’ that you can take home to continue your dumplings journey.

Call Me 'Old Fashioned' with Uri Sacharow and Lauren Navarro from Cocktail Uncultured at 6:00pm

$65/person

Hosted in Room NINE01 at Hyatt Centric Las Olas

Ever wondered why the Old Fashioned you make at home never seems to live up to what you get at the bar? With only 3 ingredients, there’s only so many ways to reinvent the wheel, right? Just you wait. Now turn down the lights, turn up the jazz, and join Cocktail Uncultured as we breathe new life into the most classic of classic cocktails: the Old Fashioned. With a little science, choice ingredients, and a dash of know-how, you’ll see just how far this road can go!

VLFWF Dining Series

The #VLFWF Dining Series is a curated, chef-driven series of intimate dining experiences with some of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary stars!  Innovative dishes, with interesting wines and creative cocktails shine as the chefs get out of their comfort zone to create a memorable dining experience for all in attendance.  Just like the entirety of festival week, the experiences benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Dinner at Union Kitchen + Bar with Chef Christie Tenaud and Chef Vinnie Cimino at 7pm

at Union Kitchen + Bar

$175/person

Dinner at Evelyn's with Chef Brandon Salomon and Chef Lior Lev Sercarz  at 7pm

at Evelyn’s

$250/person

January 10, 2024

CLASSES And SEMINARS

Tour of Italy with Sommelier Roberto Colombi at 6:00pm

$50/person

Hosted at Union Kitchen & BarWhether you’re a novice or an aficionado, enjoy a fun and educational seminar exploring the North, Central, South and Island Regions of Italy with Sommelier Roberto Colombi, Co-Owner of Union Kitchen & Bar.  During this seminar you will taste the following wines: North Region: Franciacorta Brut DOCG – Barone Pizzini | Lombardy; Central Region: Verdicchio di Matelica DOC – Garofoli | Marche; South Region: Aglianico Del Vulture DOCG – Paternoster | Basilicata; Island Region: Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye, Donnafugata | Pantelleria, Sicily.  Light hors d’oeuvres by Chef Christie Tenaud.

Mambo Italiano with Chef Jorge Montes at 6:30pm

$75/person

Hosted at Sistrunk Marketplace

Mambo Italiano!  In this class, we will create a classic Italian dish – Handmade Gnocchi. You’ll start the class the right was with a Passion Fruit Aperol Spritz cocktail, then we will begin making our Gnocchi from scratch.  You will also learn learn to make the three traditional sauces: Cacio Pepe, Spinach Pesto and a classic Pomodoro. Last but not least, we will plate everything up and enjoy the meal together.  Your instructor for this class is Chef Jorge Montes of Sazoned, an online culinary platform.

VLFWF Dining Series

The #VLFWF Dining Series is a curated, chef-driven series of intimate dining experiences with some of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary stars!  Innovative dishes, with interesting wines and creative cocktails shine as the chefs get out of their comfort zone to create a memorable dining experience for all in attendance.  Just like the entirety of festival week, the experiences benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Dinner at Burlock Coast with Chef Paula DaSilva, Chef Jeremy Ford and Chef Adrienne Grenier at 6:30pm

at Burlock Coast

$200/person

Dinner at Casa D'Angelo with Chef Angelo Elia at 7:00pm

at Casa D’Angelo

$225/person

Bar Fight - 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Early Bird $75/person

At the Door $99/person

Rooftop at 1WLO 1 W Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY 21+

Join us for Bar Fight! A Spirited Competition at downtown’s hottest venue, Rooftop @1WLO.  This ‘Spirited Competition’ will put local mixologists in a  head to head, no-holds barred matchup that will declare the winner’s creation the ‘Official Cocktail of DowntownFTL’.  Mixologists will be scored by a team of local celebrity judges on presentation, flavor and concept.  In the first round, each mixologist will present two cocktail samples to all guests for fan favorite voting.  In the final round, each mixologist’s fan favorite will be presented to the judges and a winner will be crowned!  This event is guaranteed to take guests on a craft cocktail journey to be remembered as we name the Official Cocktail of DowntownFTLl!

January 11, 2024

CLASSES And SEMINARS

The Basics of Baking with Chef Lee Mazor at 6:30pm

$50/person

Hosted at LoveLee Bakeshop

Learn the fundamentals of baking with Chef Lee Mazor from LoveLee Bakeshop.  During this class, you’ll learn various techniques and get some pro tips that are universal in baking.  Together we will make two different cookie doughs from scratch that we’ll bake during class and you’ll get a nice cookie kit to take home to bake on your own.  Don’t worry, during class we’ll have plenty of bubbles flowing.

Southern Cooking with a Country Bling Twist with Celebrity Chef Jason Smith at 6:30pm

$115 with book or $85 without book/person

Hosted at Sistrunk Marketplace

Lord Honey, Sugar have we got a treat for y’all!  Celebrity Chef Jason Smith is bringing the South to Sistrunk Marketplace with Chef Jorge Montes.  When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a refreshing Bourbon Lime Tea and Sweet Tater Fritters with Hot Maple Butter.  Then, you’ll learn to make Hoecakes with Blue Crab and Avocado and Jason’s Country Fried Steak Fingers with Garlic Dill Mayo.  Last, but not least, we will plate everything up and enjoy the meal together with Jason and Jorge.

-Included with this class is your very own copy of Jason’s brand new cookbook, ‘Lord Honey – Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist’.

VLFWF Dining Series

The #VLFWF Dining Series is a curated, chef-driven series of intimate dining experiences with some of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary stars!  Innovative dishes, with interesting wines and creative cocktails shine as the chefs get out of their comfort zone to create a memorable dining experience for all in attendance.  Just like the entirety of festival week, the experiences benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Funky Buddha Founder's Dinner with Founders KC & Ryan Sentz and Chef Jeff Vincent at 6:30pm

at Funky Buddha

$99/person

Collaboration Dinner Sidewalk Bottle Shop x Jaguar Sun at 7:00pm

at Sidewalk Bottle Shop

$225/person

Wok ‘n Roll

Get ready to rock as VLFWF rolls in the all-new Wok ‘n Roll, an Asian street food and music experience – hosted on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Backyard.  Celebrate the flavors of Asia paired with good old-fashioned ‘Rock ‘n Roll’.

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Early Bird $85/person

At the Door $110/person

Backyard 100 SW 3rd Ave

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY 21+

Live Music By Spank band

January 12, 2024

Wine SmackDown

New World vs Old World

6 Wines. Bragging Rights on the Line. at 6:30pm

Advance Pricing $125/person

At the Door $175/person

Olive & Sea

1881 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY 21+

Did you know the Chardonnay grape hails from Burgundy? That Barolo is a town, not a grape (see: Nebbiolo). Practically all of the grapes we know and love here in the US (aka The New World) have (ahem) roots in Europe (aka The Old World).

Let’s taste, talk and figure out what’s what with Napa-based sommelier and SommVivant Amanda McCrossin and New York-based sommelier, author and speaker Anthony Giglio. We’ll taste six wines in three flights, comparing grapes (and/or blends) from here and there, then vote on which we like best.

The SmackDown takes place al fresco at one of Fort Lauderdale’s most exiting and new venues.  Olive & Sea is a rooftop Intracoastal waterfront restaurant serving colorful and bold Mediterranean-style dishes, livened by fresh flavors, locally sourced daily seafood specials, and ethically sourced seasons and rubs.

This experience will last between 60-75 minutes and feature 6 wines with very light bites.

Poolside BBQ - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Early Bird $110/person

At the Door $135/person

Hyatt Centric Las Olas

100 E Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY 21+

Get saucy with the Visit Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival at the Hyatt Centric in Downtown for the Poolside BBQ presented by the Fort Lauderdale DDA.

Join us with pitmasters from local and nationally renowned BBQ joints while they compete for the title of ‘BBQ Champion’ of the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival.  This VIP experience has all the smoke and will take place at the Hyatt Centric’s beautiful 8th floor pool deck right in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. #ReleaseYourInnerFoodie with BBQ bites and sips throughout the evening amongst the beautiful larger than life murals and live music.

January 13, 2024

THE GRAND TASTING

Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Las Olas Oceanside Park

3000 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY 21+

Release Your Inner Foodie!

Celebrate the culinary revolution sweeping throughout the Greater Fort Lauderdale region.  Taking place at the beautiful Las Olas Oceanside Park, featuring unlimited food & beverage tastings, cooking demonstrations and live music, The Grand Tasting at VLFWF solidifies itself as Broward County’s signature food & wine event

January 14, 2024

CLASSES And SEMINARS

Tropic Like It's Hot with Uri Sacharow and Lauren Navarro from Cocktail Uncultured at 2:00pm

$65/person

Hosted at Picnic in the Park

‘Tropic Like It’s Hot’ and celebrate the conclusion of VLFWF week with Uri Sacharow and Lauren Navarro from Cocktail Uncultured!  You’ll learn how to make 3 delicious Tiki cocktails boozy enough to keep you floatin’ down the coast. We’ll provide everything you need – just bring your favorite Hawaiian shirt and arrive thirsty.

PICNIC IN THE PARK - 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Las Olas Oceanside Park

3000 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

FREE ADMISSION

The conclusion of the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Round up the family, chairs, and blankets for a good cause as we host a toy drive that will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. This FREE event promises to be fun-filled with Curated Food Trucks, Kid Friendly Cooking Demos, Hands On Culinary Classes for All Ages, Live Entertainment, Local Artisan Vendors, the JDCH Teddy Bear Clinic, Adult Beverages for the Parents and much more!

Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is FREE to attend and open to all ages.

Kids Can Cook Culinary Classes

at Picnic in the Park

Las Olas Oceanside Park

3000 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

$50/student per class

At the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, we offer Culinary Experiences for ‘Everyone Under the Sun’ and that includes the kiddos too!

Join us at Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for the Kids Can Cook Culinary Classes by Chef Dario Stephen!  Chef Dario is passionate about teaching the next generation and is guaranteed to get your child excited about cooking.  These classes are fun for the entire family, regardless of age with a minimum requirement of 6 years old.

The theme for this year’s classes is ‘A Culinary Carnival’!  Everyone loves a carnival and the food that comes with it.  Chef Dario will teach students how to make their favorite carnival treats at home, with a healthy twist!  Best of all, the entire family can participate in these classes together.

A Culinary Carnival Class Schedule

Class #1 at 12:15pm

Learn to make Chicken on a Stick and Watermelon Pizza!

Class #2 at 1:15pm

Learn to make Walking Tacos and Funnel Cakes!

Class #3 at 2:15pm

Date: January 8 - 14, 2024

Location:

Various Venue in Fort Lauderdale

Buy Ticket

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