The Go to Lauderdale Meals and Wine Pageant (VLFWF) is again with a bang, unveiling the return of The Grand Tasting and a lineup of thrilling signature occasions for its sixth annual occasion sequence. From Monday, Jan. 13 by means of Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, this week-long celebration will supply quite a lot of distinctive culinary experiences, together with signature occasions, culinary courses, and an unique dinner sequence.
“Greater Fort Lauderdale has become a mecca for culinary innovation, and the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is the perfect way to celebrate this renaissance,” says Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Go to Lauderdale. “We’re excited to bring together our community to showcase the incredible talent and flavors that make our region unique, all while supporting a great cause.”
Organized by 66 Productions, this top-tier pageant is a celebration of each established and up-and-coming cooks, restaurateurs, and native meals and beverage institutions within the area. The 2025 roster of headline movie star personalities and cooks is a testomony to this range, together with Fabio Viviani, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith, Alex Belew, and social media influencer Alexa Santos of @alexawhatsfordinner. These culinary specialists promise a wealthy tapestry of cooking demonstrations and a wealth of outstanding flavors on the pageant.
Featured demonstrations will probably be offered by Chef Fabio Viviani, a well known character from Prime Chef who is extremely revered for his experience in Italian delicacies. Chef Alex Belew, the winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 21 and Head Chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Caesars Atlantic Metropolis, is understood for his artistic strategy to fashionable American delicacies. Alexa Santos, acknowledged for her accessible and pleasant recipes, was a contestant on Hulu’s Secret Chef cooking competitors present. She has additionally labored as a meals editor and senior producer at @thefeedfeed and was a distinguished expertise at @buzzfeedtasty.
The signature occasion hosts are famend Meals Community personalities. Nancy Fuller is acknowledged for her present Farmhouse Guidelines and for her function as a decide on the Vacation Baking Championship and Spring Baking Championship. Jason Smith is widely known for his Southern-inspired delicacies and self-taught culinary expertise. He emerged because the winner of Meals Community’s Vacation Baking Championship and is presently a decide on Greatest Baker in America and Worst Bakers in America.
The pageant’s essential occasion, The Grand Tasting, will happen on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Las Olas Oceanside Park. The occasion will characteristic over 100 tastings, movie star chef demonstrations, and reside music. Basic admission contains limitless tastings and entry to seminars, whereas VIP tickets supply early entry and unique lounge facilities. Wrapping up the festivities on Sunday, Jan. 19, is Picnic within the Park, introduced by Joe DiMaggio Kids’s Hospital. This family-friendly occasion at Las Olas Oceanside Park will supply a relaxed ambiance with a curated lineup of meals vehicles, hands-on culinary courses for the entire household, kid-friendly cooking demonstrations, reside leisure, the JDCH Child’s Zone, and native artisan distributors.
The Go to Lauderdale Meals and Wine Pageant will kick off on Wednesday, Jan. 15 with Bar Battle! A Spirited Competitors at Rooftop @1WLO. This occasion will characteristic prime mixologists competing in a scenic rooftop setting, providing company an thrilling night of revolutionary cocktails and spirited competitors. Persevering with on Thursday, Jan. 16, Wok’ n Roll will happen at Yard FTL, promising a fusion of flavors with Asian-inspired delicacies and vibrant reside music. On Friday, Jan. 17, BBQ on the Seashore, introduced by Demesmin & Dover, will probably be hosted by Superstar Chef Jason Smith at its new residence at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Attendees can take pleasure in mouthwatering barbecue delights and a pleasant pitmaster competitors. Because the pageant’s signature occasions draw to an in depth on Sunday, Jan. 19, Beachside Brunch hosted by Chef Nancy Fuller will supply a soothing conclusion at Las Olas Oceanside Park, permitting company to bask in delectable brunch creations amidst the tranquil backdrop of the ocean.
