The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is a culinary extravaganza that takes place annually in the heart of Broward County, Florida. This week-long celebration is a testament to the vibrant culinary scene of South Florida, showcasing the talents of renowned and emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and local food & beverage establishments, check out my video recap here.
The festival, returning for its fifth year, took place from January 8th to 14th, 2024. It offered a series of indulgent and hands-on experiences, innovative culinary concepts, live cooking demonstrations, curated cooking classes, seminars, and elevated Signature Events.
One of the highlights of the festival was the Grand Tasting, a beachside culinary celebration at Las Olas Oceanside Park. This event featured three hours of unlimited bites and sips, cooking shows, live music, and much more. Celebrity Chef Aarón Sánchez made an appearance, showcasing his culinary skills.
Among the myriad of dishes and cuisines on offer, one particular delicacy stood out – the pizza by Emmy Squared. Now, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill pizza. This was a pizza that could make a grown man weep with joy. Each slice was a work of art, a harmonious symphony of taste. The freshness of the dough, the tangy punch of the tomato sauce, and the subtle hint of basil came together to create a culinary masterpiece. It was so good, it made me question all my life choices that led me to not becoming a pizza chef.
Along with the grand tasting, there was the Wok ‘n Roll event that took place at Backyard on January 11 and featured Asian street food and good old-fashioned Rock ‘n Roll. My personal favorite from the night was freshly rolled sushi by Miso. This Sushi was more than good, it will have you coming back seconds and thirds.
Another highlight of the weeklong festival was the infamous bar fight. Now, before you start picturing chairs flying and bottles breaking, let me clarify. This was not your typical bar brawl. It was, in fact, a spirited competition. It was held at downtown’s hottest venue, Rooftop @1WLO, and put three mixologists head-to-head-to-head.
In the first round, each mixologist presented two cocktail samples to all guests for fan favorite voting. In the final round, each mixologist’s fan favorite was presented to the judges and a winner was crowned. The event was guaranteed to take guests on a craft cocktail journey to be remembered.
The festival wasn’t just about food and wine; it was also about giving back to the community. A portion of all proceeds from the festival benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, one of the region’s leading pediatric hospitals. This adds a layer of heartfelt cause to the culinary delights, making the experience even more fulfilling.
In conclusion, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is a must-visit for any foodie and wine enthusiast. It’s a place where you can indulge your taste buds, learn from the pros, and contribute to a noble cause. And if you’re a sushi lover like me, it’s an opportunity to sample some of the best sushi you’ll ever taste. So mark your calendars for January 13-19, 2025, and prepare yourself for a culinary journey like no other.
