{"id":43050,"date":"2025-11-11T23:26:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/43050\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T23:26:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:26:08","slug":"seventh-annual-visit-lauderdale-food-wine-festival-returns-january-2026-for-a-weeklong-celebration-of-culinary-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/43050\/","title":{"rendered":"Seventh Annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival Returns January 2026 For a Weeklong Celebration of Culinary Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

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F\"\"ORT LAUDERDALE, FLA \u2014 (OCTOBER 2025) \u2013 From Celebrity Chef-studded Signature Events to Exclusive Collab Dinners and Hands-on Classes, the 2026 Festival Features Greater Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Ever-growing Reputation as a Culinary Destination. | The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF) returns January 19\u201325, 2026, for its seventh annual celebration of culinary excellence in Greater Fort Lauderdale. This year\u2019s festival brings together Michelin-recognized restaurants, James Beard\u2013nominated chefs, and nationally acclaimed talent for seven days of exceptional dining, enticing local flavors, and food-and-drink-focused fun. Recognized as one of Florida\u2019s premier epicurean events, VLFWF blends high-energy tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, intimate collaborative dinners, and interactive food and spirit classes, capturing the excitement and innovation that define Greater Fort Lauderdale\u2019s culinary scene.<\/p>\n

The 2026 VLFWF features an impressive roster of national celebrity talent led by headliner Richard Blais, alongside Eddie Jackson, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith, Clarice Lam, Ron Dimpflmaier, Remy Powell, and Dario Stephen. Together, these highly acclaimed chefs and personalities bring star power to the weeklong celebration. Joining them are the region\u2019s top chefs, rising talents, and favorite restaurants,
making the festival a true showcase of Greater Fort Lauderdale\u2019s food and beverage community.<\/p>\n

\u201cYear after year, Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival continues to grow, drawing more fans and chefs from around the world,\u201d said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. \u201cThis seventh annual celebration is our biggest yet, highlighting the incredible talent, flavors, and creativity that make the destination a premier culinary hub. Accompanied by national celebrity talent, the festival continues to
showcase what makes Greater Fort Lauderdale unique.\u201d The festival returns with its most robust dinner series yet, featuring 10 distinctive dining experiences across Greater Fort Lauderdale. Each one-night-only dinner brings together top chefs and acclaimed culinary talent for unforgettable menus that showcase creativity, flavor, and collaboration.\"\"<\/p>\n

The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival Dining Series Presented by PNC Bank kicks off with the traditional opening night dinner at Heritage and continues with a lineup of exclusive experiences throughout the week, including standout collaborations Ukiah x Macchialina, hosted by Chef Michael Lewis and Chef Michael Pirolo, join forces for a unique menu blending Japanese and Italian influences.; Calusso x Mamani, hosted by Chef Jonathan Kaiser and Chef Christopher De Lellis, spotlighting inventive Italian-French dishes with curated cocktails and desserts; and Wan\u2019s x Kaya x Temple Street Eatery, are teaming up to create a menu designed to take guests on a tour of Asia, highlighting traditional Asian flavors with contemporary techniques. All dinners feature Michelin-recognized concepts or James Beard-nominated chefs, inviting guests to experience the region\u2019s culinary bounty in intimate, one-of-a-kind settings.<\/p>\n

Festivalgoers can roll up their sleeves during a robust lineup of culinary and beverage classes led by award-winning chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists. Highlights include Cooking with Bourbon, where celebrity chefs Nancy Fuller and Jason Smith blend bourbon-infused flavor with hands-on fun, and Breaking Bao with James Beard Award\u2013nominated Chef Clarice Lam and Chef Diego Ng, inspired by Lam\u2019s acclaimed cookbook. Guests can also explore Flavors of Peru and The Art of Pasta with Chef Jorge Montes, learn professional cake-decorating techniques with Chef Lee Mazor, and indulge with the family-friendly Ice Cream and Ohana class. Beverage lovers will find plenty to sip and discover through seminars like Libations Exotica: The Cult of Tiki, Natty by Nature, The Sparkling Wine Experience, and Whisk(e)y: The Spirit of Life, each offering an interactive way to learn, taste, and toast.<\/p>\n

\"\"In addition to its lineup of classes and seminars, the festival\u2019s signature events reflect the culinary spirit of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Festivities kick off Thursday with Wok \u2019n Roll, hosted by Chef Clarice Lam, featuring Asian-inspired dishes and live music. On Friday, BBQ at the Beach returns with Chef Jason Smith and special guest Ron \u201cCaptain Ron\u201d Dimpflmaier for a night of barbecue favorites and friendly pitmaster competition. Saturday\u2019s festival centerpiece, The Grand Tasting, features more than 100 tastings and a must-see cooking demonstration by headliner Richard Blais, along with appearances by Eddie Jackson and Dimpflmaier. The festival wraps Sunday with Beachside Brunch, hosted by Nancy Fuller with special guest Eddie Jackson, and the family-friendly Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n

While guests explore the best of Greater Fort Lauderdale\u2019s food and drink, the festival also serves a greater purpose. The VLFWF continues its tradition of giving back by donating a portion of event proceeds to Joe DiMaggio Children\u2019s Hospital. The ongoing partnership reflects the festival\u2019s commitment to supporting the community and local causes, ensuring that every ticket purchased helps make a meaningful difference.\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to help set the table for experiences that celebrate local talent and make a lasting impact,\u201d said Cressman Bronson, PNC regional president for Southeast Florida. \u201cThis festival isn\u2019t just about bold flavors and creative collaborations, it\u2019s about coming together as a community to support a cause that truly matters. That shared purpose adds meaning to every bite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tickets are now on sale now for the seventh annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival. The full schedule of classes, signature events and dinners can be found on the festival\u2019s website at VLFoodWine.com. For updates and to stay connected, follow Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube using the hashtag #VLFWF.<\/p>\n

For tickets and more info click link below:<\/p>\n

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