The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF) is back for its sixth year, bringing another unforgettable week of culinary exploration and entertainment to South Florida. Poised to take the sun-soaked paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale by sumptuous storm from January 13-19, 2025, The VLFWF is more than just a gathering of epicurean enthusiasts—it's a vibrant celebration of food, drink, and community drawing locals and visitors, alike, to indulge in the best the region has to offer. From mouthwatering dishes to expertly crafted cocktails, every activity is designed to tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories.

With its roots firmly planted in the heart of South Florida’s culinary scene, VLFWF has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated events each year. The festival showcases the talent and creativity of renowned chefs, mixologists and artisans who bring their passion to life through creative dishes and innovative drinks make with top-quality ingredients. This week-long fest is not just about tasting extraordinary flavors; it’s about immersing yourself in a world of culinary artistry and discovering the stories and origins behind the food and spirits you love.

What makes this festival special is its inclusivity and variety. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a wine connoisseur, a novice expanding culinary horizons, a family keen on a taste-filled outing, or just looking for exciting things to do in Laudy, VLFWF has something for everyone. Attendees can look forward to a mix of intimate dining experiences, high-energy competitions and relaxed outdoor events that cater to all ages and interests. It’s an opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and celebrate the joy of good food and good company.

While the week long fest is chock full of fabulous events and activities, here are 10 top reasons making this year’s fest a show stopper:

1. A Weeklong Culinary Extravaganza in Paradise
   Spanning seven days, the festival offers an impressive 35 events, including cooking demonstrations, exclusive chef and expert-led gourmet dinners, wine, beer and cocktail seminars and tastings, spirits showcases and other signature events all designed to highlight the diverse flavors and innovative culinary talents in the region. With a food and spirits lineup this robust, there is ample opportunity to immerse yourself in Greater Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant gastro-scene. Set against the backdrop of 24 miles of stunning beaches and vibrant downtown communities, this festival further offers a unique setting that underscores the area's emerging art districts and cultural vibrancy. From rooftop events to beachfront tastings, the event offers a unique ambiance that blends coastal charm with urban sophistication.

2. Celebrity Chef Appearances
   Get up close and personal with esteemed culinary stars like Fabio Viviani, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith, Alex Belew, and social media personality Alexa Santos (@alexawhatsfordinner). These chefs will lead interactive classes and demonstrations, sharing their expertise and passion for food.

3. Hands-On Culinary Classes
   Sharpen your skills with classes led by award-winning chefs and beverage experts. Highlights include:

• • Farmhouse Rules with Nancy Fuller – Learn to create comforting, farmhouse-style meals.
  • The Art of Ramen with Chefs Alex Kuk and Diego Ng – Dive into the secrets of this beloved dish.
  • French Cookery with Chef Jorge Montes – Master the techniques of classic French cuisine.

4. Signature Events for Every Taste
   The festival’s signature events are the heart of the celebration. Don’t miss:

• • Bar Fight! (Jan. 15) – A spirited mixologist competition on a rooftop setting.
  • Wok ‘n Roll (Jan. 16) – Asian-inspired cuisine paired with live music.
  • BBQ at the Beach (Jan. 17) – Southern-style barbecue and a pitmaster showdown hosted by Chef Jason Smith.
  • The Grand Tasting (Jan. 18) – Over 100 tastings, chef demos, and live entertainment.
  • Picnic in the Park (Jan. 19) – A family-friendly day with food trucks, culinary classes, and kid-friendly cooking demos.

5. Exclusive Dinner Series
   The festival’s dinner series offers intimate dining experiences crafted by top chefs. Highlights include:

• • Opening Night at Heritage – A special evening at Chef Rino Cerbone’s Italian gem.
  • Evelyn’s x Boia De! – A collaborative dining experience blending South Florida’s culinary talents.

6. Wine and Cocktail Seminars
   Expand your palate with expertly guided seminars, including:

• • Weird Grapes – Discover rare and unique grape varietals.
  • Prohibition-Era Cocktails – Learn the art of crafting classic cocktails like The Manhattan and The Bee’s Knees.
  • High Brow/Low Brow Pairings – Explore the pairing of fine wines with comfort foods.

7. Grand Finale Fabulosity: The Grand Tasting
To be held Saturday, January 18th kicking off at 1pm (or 12pm for the VIP ticket holders), The Grand Tasting is a fan-favorite festival highlight. The fest’s marquee event, attendees of this comprehensive culinary celebration can enjoy over 100 food and beverage tastings, watch celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, and vibe live music while tantalizing their taste buds.

8. Chef-lebrity Beachside Brunch
Experience a delightful Beachside Brunch hosted by beloved Food Network Star Chef Nancy Fuller, celebrated for her signature blend of warm hospitality and farm-to-table cuisine. Set against the serene backdrop of the beach, this gourmet event invites attendees to enjoy a variety of expertly crafted brunch dishes from some of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s finest culinary talents. With a relaxed, walk-around format, this brunch offers the perfect opportunity to savor coastal flavors in a picturesque setting. This brunch bash is a great chance to indulge in an unforgettable culinary affair by the shore.

9. Family-Friendly Fun
Presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Picnic in the Park is a family-friendly event for all ages that's held at Las Olas Oceanside Park. The event ensures there’s something for everyone, including kids, with live entertainment, a JDCH Kid’s Zone, hands-on family-friendly culinary classes, and more ... all set in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that's perfect for family bonding. Hungry attendees will also enjoy a curated lineup of food trucks, kid-friendly cooking demonstrations, and local artisan vendors. Picnic in the Park is designed to be a day of fun and relaxation, celebrating the spirit of community and togetherness.

10. Showcase of Local Talent and Flavors
VLFWF is a celebration of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary renaissance. Local legends, emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and food establishments come together to highlight the innovative and diverse flavors of the region.

Whether you’ll be a first-time attendee or a seasoned festival-goer, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival promises an unforgettable experience. With its combination of world-class talent, diverse events and breathtaking locations, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone who loves food and wine.

By attending the festival, you’re also giving back. A portion of the proceeds supports Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, helping to make a positive impact on the local community while you indulge in exceptional cuisine.

There’s still time to ensure you partake in this extraordinary celebration. Tickets are still on sale—and the full schedule of classes, signature events and dinners can be found—on the festival’s website at VLFoodWine.com. And, be sure to share your foodie adventures on social and tag @VLFoodWine so we can all enjoy your indulgence.

~~~

Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***