Greater Fort Lauderdale’s food scene has earned Michelin stars and James Beard nominations, and this January, the area’s best restaurants and chefs will gather for a week of great food and drinks. The seventh annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF), running January 19-25, brings Food Network stars like Richard Blais, Nancy Fuller, and Eddie Jackson to the beach. You’ll find everything from small, collaborative dinners to a Grand Tasting with over 100 samples.
Learn to make fresh pasta, mix tiki cocktails, or bring the family to a free beachside picnic. While you're indulging, you'll also be giving back as a portion of the proceeds benefits Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
Here’s what you need to know for the week ahead.
Your Festival Itinerary
Start by marking these five main events on your calendar, then plan the rest of your week around them. These are the highlights where you’ll see celebrity chefs, big crowds, and the most food options in one place or on an afternoon.
Wok 'n Roll starts the festival’s main events on January 22, with Asian street food and live rock music at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park (LOOP). James Beard Award-nominated chef Clarice Lam hosts the night, which features dishes from top local Asian restaurants and lively music.
BBQ at the Beach returns January 23, with Food Network star chef Jason Smith leading a pitmaster competition at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade. Sample barbecue from local pitmasters and help crown this year's champion. Last year's winner, Ron “Captain Ron” Dimpflmaier, joins as a special guest.
The Grand Tasting on January 24 at the LOOP is the festival’s main event. You’ll enjoy unlimited food and drink tastings, cooking demos by Richard Blais, and appearances by Eddie Jackson and Dimpflmaier. Live DJs keep the energy going between tastings. General admission and VIP tickets are available for guests 21 and older.
January 25 brings two very different ways to close out the week. Beachside Brunch, hosted by Food Network star Nancy Fuller and special guest Eddie Jackson, offers a relaxing morning at The Lawn at Las Olas Oceanside Park, featuring farm-to-table fare and stunning ocean views. Later that afternoon, Picnic in the Park welcomes families for a free event featuring food trucks, kid-friendly cooking demos, and live music.
One Night Only: Collab Dinners
The main events attract big crowds, but the collaborative dinners let chefs try new things. This year’s series features 10 one-night-only dinners across Greater Fort Lauderdale, each pairing Michelin-recognized restaurants or James Beard-nominated chefs for unique menus you won’t find anywhere else.
Heritage, a popular Italian spot, starts things off on January 19 with chef Rino Cerbone, whose restaurant just received a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Next is Japanese-Italian fusion at Ukiah x Macchialina on January 20, a French-Latin dinner at Michelin-starred MAASS with Asador Bastian’s chef Doug Psaltis, whose steakhouse is ranked No. 13 in the world, and an Asian-themed night with Wan’s, Kaya, and Temple Street Eatery on January 21.
January 22 brings Italian-French dishes at Calusso x Mamani, complete with cocktails by Bar Colette, plus a Darioush wine dinner at Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse. These intimate, chef-driven nights are where the talent steps outside their usual playbook.
Get Hands-On
You can choose from over a dozen classes and seminars led by celebrity chefs and local experts. Nancy Fuller and Jason Smith teach Cooking with Bourbon, which covers bourbon-infused dishes and cocktails at Sistrunk Marketplace. Clarice Lam, a James Beard Award-nominated chef, leads Breaking Bao, based on her cookbook. Chef Jorge Montes offers two sessions: The Art of Pasta and Flavors of Peru, which starts with a pisco sour. Try Cake Decorating with chef Lee Mazor and take home a coastal-themed cake.
On the beverage side, Libations Exotica: The Cult of Tiki will have you mixing Mai Tais and Zombies at Cocktail Uncultured. Whisk(e)y: The Spirit of Life covers four styles and classic cocktails like the whiskey sour and Boulevardier. The Sparkling Wine Experience with sommelier Roberto Colombi spans Champagne to Japanese Awa sake, Natty by Nature explores natural wines at Sidewalk Bottleshop downtown, and Master of the Mix at ChainBridge Distillery in Oakland Park combines a tour, blending session, and cocktail class. Families can sample ice cream delights and Ohana at Sweet Aloha Ice Cream in Davie.
Give Back 
Need another reason to indulge? A portion of all festival proceeds benefits Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Broward County's top children's hospital. The funds help connect children with pediatric specialists, expand facilities, and support programs for families who need them.
Plan your trip
Whether you live nearby or are coming for the week, most main events are just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, so getting there is easy. The festival also partnered with Delta Airlines to offer discounted flights for visitors.
Because many events are near the water at the LOOP and Intracoastal Promenade, staying by the beach is a good idea. The festival’s main hotel is B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale. Other partners include Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale, and the new Omni Fort Lauderdale, all within easy reach of the main action and steps from the water.
New this year is an official Water Taxi stop (Stop F7/Las Olas Landing), which is right where the event’s registration takes place. The iconic Water Taxi is a safe and smart way to get around the city—hop on and hop off at one of the many stops around town. Purchase a pass for a hassle-free way to experience all the events without sacrificing any of the fun.
Tickets for the seventh annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival are available now. Many events sell out quickly, so it’s best to book early. You won’t want to miss this season’s top food event.