Florida Food Festivals

Culinary events savoring the Sunshine State

 

Gastronomic adventures in the Sunshine State run the gamut in flavors from Latin American to Southern comfort classics. A diverse melting pot of cultures, abundant locally grown produce, and availability of fresh seafood converge to create sensory delights. Foodies, wine connoisseurs, and home chefs looking for the latest will find plenty to taste and learn at these events.

Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival: January 8-14, 2024

The first festival of the year to take place in Ft. Lauderdale makes stops along Las Olas Boulevard, the favored street for strolling, shopping, and tasting in the city. The week-long event features renowned and emerging local chefs as well as restaurants and bars in the culinary arena of South Florida. Showcasing some of Broward Country’s hottest chefs and mixologists, the week is filled with cooking, tasting, and dining experiences with spotlights including A Wine SmackDown comparing New World and Old World wines, a BBQ, and the Grand Tasting event taking place at Las Olas Oceanside Park. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. For more info: https://vlfoodwine.com/

Florida Keys Seafood Festival: January 13-14, 2024

This two-day event celebrates the sea’s bounty at Bayview Park in Key West. The 18th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival is about enjoying freshly caught seafood from fried fish, conch ceviche, smoked dip, and conch fritters. The grills will be hot with spiny lobster and pots boiling with conch chowder and lobster bisque. The two days are all about eating and listening to music from rock to steel pan. The proceeds benefit sustainable fisheries management programs and youth scholarships in the Keys. For info: https://floridakeysseafoodfestival.com/

Key West Food & Wine Festival: January 24-28, 2024

Spain is the star of this year’s food and wine collection of tastings. Over 20 unique events will highlight regions of Spanish cuisine, wines, and olive oil. The annual festival’s theme of España 2024 will center around events inspired by famous Spanish artists. You’ll enjoy food and drinks from regions where Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Francisco de Goya, and Diego Velázquez were born. Taste Valencia paella, roast suckling pig, and plenty of tapas. Enjoy diverse wines from every region, including Albariño from Rias Baixas, Galicia, and the Tempranillo’s from Rioja. For more details: https://keywestfoodandwinefestival.com/

South Beach Wine & Food Festival: February 22-25, 2024

Considered the event of the year where local restaurants and hotels host a star-studded four-day extravaganza sponsored by the Food Network showcasing their chefs and culinary personalities. During the four days, there will be 105 events with over 500 experts surrounding the booths, cooking, and teaching. You might enjoy a dinner with three stars, including Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, and Mario Beabraut, under the 100-year-old banyan tree at Bourbon Steak. There’s an Asian Night Market, featuring pad thai and sushi, and a late- night party, Noche Cubana, hosted by Michelle Bernstein, David Martinez, and Giio Gutierrez. Net proceeds benefit the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Get your tickets at: https://sobewff.org/

Grant Seafood Festival: March 2-3, 2024

The small Intracoastal town of Grant puts on a seafood extravaganza year after year to celebrate its heritage as a fishing village. Now in its 57th year, the community event brings in loads of freshly caught seafood prepped and prepared by locals using generations-old recipes and techniques. The event is run by volunteers with proceeds that are help the community, including the Grant Historical House, Grant Community Center, and the scholarship fund. Enjoy steamed clams and oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, grilled fish, clam chowder, fried scallops, and more. The two-day event includes live entertainment and an arts & crafts fair with over 100 exhibitors. For info: https://www.grantseafoodfestival.com/information