The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival will return to Greater Fort Lauderdale from January 18–24, 2027, bringing a week of celebrity chefs, oceanfront tastings, live cooking demonstrations, family activities, and culinary events to venues across Broward County.
Now entering its eighth year, the festival will welcome internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson as one of its leading culinary personalities. He will be joined by first-time festival guests Bobby Hicks and Hannah Flora, along with returning favorites Jason Smith, Nancy Fuller, and Eddie Jackson.
The 2027 program also introduces The Feast: An Evening of Italian Culture & Flavor, a new waterfront celebration hosted by Rino Cerbone, chef and owner of Fort Lauderdale restaurant Heritage.
Additional chef dinners and culinary experiences are expected to be announced in the months leading up to the festival.
A Week Celebrating Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Culinary Scene
Although Fort Lauderdale may be best known for its beaches and waterways, the city has developed a diverse dining scene shaped by South Florida seafood, Caribbean and Latin American influences, contemporary American cooking, and an expanding collection of chef-driven restaurants.
The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival was created to bring greater attention to that culinary community. Festival events showcase established and emerging chefs, local restaurants, beverage producers, hospitality professionals, and the neighborhoods that make up Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Signature experiences will be held at waterfront venues including Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park and Las Olas Oceanside Park, allowing visitors to combine the festival with a winter beach getaway.
The 2027 program ranges from an Italian-inspired evening and beachfront barbecue to the festival’s large-scale Grand Tasting, an adults-only brunch, and an outdoor family celebration.
Marcus Samuelsson Leads the Celebrity Chef Lineup
Marcus Samuelsson will be among the featured chefs at the 2027 Grand Tasting.
The Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef is known for restaurants that explore culture, migration, and community through food. His portfolio includes Red Rooster Harlem in New York City, Marcus Bar & Grille in Atlanta, Marcus Montreal, and several other dining concepts.
Samuelsson is also a cookbook author and familiar television personality, having appeared on programs including Top Chef Masters, Chopped, and Iron Chef America.
During the Fort Lauderdale festival, he will participate in live culinary programming alongside Eddie Jackson, Bobby Hicks, and Hannah Flora.
Other personalities appearing during the week include Food Network stars Jason Smith and Nancy Fuller. The lineup brings nationally recognized talent together with chefs and restaurants from across South Florida.
The Feast Brings Italian Flavors to the Waterfront
The Feast: An Evening of Italian Culture & Flavor will make its debut on Thursday, January 21, at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park.
Hosted by Rino Cerbone, owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Heritage restaurant, the evening will explore Italy’s regional cuisines through dishes created by locally celebrated and nationally recognized chefs.
Guests can expect a combination of traditional Italian flavors and contemporary interpretations, accompanied by cocktails, curated wines, live entertainment, and an open-air setting beneath the stars.
The Feast is designed to evoke the celebratory spirit of la dolce vita while recognizing Italy’s continuing influence on travel, dining, and hospitality. The event will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
BBQ at the Beach Returns
Festival programming continues Friday, January 22, with BBQ at the Beach, hosted by chef and television personality Jason Smith.
The evening will bring chefs and pitmasters together for a waterfront celebration of smoked meats, barbecue specialties, regional cooking traditions, craft beer, cocktails, and live entertainment.
Rather than concentrating on a single style, BBQ at the Beach is expected to showcase a variety of techniques and flavors. Guests will be able to sample dishes while enjoying the informal atmosphere of Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park.
The event will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
The Grand Tasting Takes Over Las Olas Oceanside Park
The festival’s largest event, the Grand Tasting, returns Saturday, January 23, at Las Olas Oceanside Park.
The oceanfront gathering will feature food from many of South Florida’s leading restaurants, accompanied by wine, spirits, cocktails, interactive culinary experiences, art installations, and live entertainment.
Marcus Samuelsson, Eddie Jackson, Bobby Hicks, and Hannah Flora will appear during the afternoon’s live cooking demonstrations, giving attendees an opportunity to see the featured chefs at work.
The Grand Tasting will be open from 1 to 4 p.m., with earlier admission and a separate lounge available to VIP guests.
Its location near Fort Lauderdale Beach makes the event an easy addition to a weekend in the city. Visitors can spend the morning exploring the shoreline or Las Olas Boulevard before heading to the tasting in the afternoon.
Beachside Brunch Offers an Oceanfront Finale
On Sunday, January 24, Beachside Brunch will bring together Greater Fort Lauderdale restaurants for a relaxed conclusion to the festival.
Food Network personality Nancy Fuller will host the event with special guest Eddie Jackson. Participating chefs will serve brunch dishes accompanied by sparkling wine, brunch cocktails, live entertainment, and ocean views.
Held on the lawn at Las Olas Oceanside Park, the 21-and-older event will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The combination of chef-driven brunch fare and a beachfront setting has made Beachside Brunch one of the festival’s most popular traditions.
A Family-Friendly Picnic in the Park
Families can take part in the festival during Picnic in the Park, presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Also scheduled for Sunday, January 24, the outdoor community gathering will include local artisan vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, activities for different ages, and the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Kids Zone.
Kid-friendly cooking demonstrations and interactive culinary experiences will be presented by Remy Powell, Sabrina Courtemanche, Dario Stephen, and Bobby Hicks.
Picnic in the Park will be held at Las Olas Oceanside Park from noon to 4 p.m., making it possible for families to experience the festival in a casual environment close to the beach.
Supporting Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival will continue its partnership with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in 2027, with a portion of proceeds from festival ticket sales supporting the hospital’s work with children and families.
The partnership reflects the festival’s broader focus on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s hospitality community. Along with attracting culinary travelers to the destination, the event provides a platform for local restaurants, chefs, beverage producers, and vendors.
Planning a Fort Lauderdale Culinary Getaway
The festival’s January timing offers travelers an opportunity to escape colder winter weather while exploring Fort Lauderdale’s beaches, restaurants, waterways, shopping districts, and cultural attractions.
Las Olas Oceanside Park sits directly across from Fort Lauderdale Beach, while the Intracoastal Promenade is close to the restaurants, boutiques, and galleries of Las Olas Boulevard.
Travelers extending their stay can also explore the city by water taxi, visit the Museum of Discovery and Science, tour the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, or discover more of Broward County’s coastal communities.
For additional Florida trip ideas, DRIFT’s guide to the best cities to visit in Florida includes Fort Lauderdale alongside several other destinations around the state.
The eighth annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival will take place January 18–24, 2027. Confirmed signature events begin January 21, with additional dinners and programming to be announced. Schedule updates and event information are available through the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival website.