Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival
Now in its sixth year, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF) will take place from January 13-19, 2025, welcoming everyone under the sun to enjoy a week-long series of indulgent and hands-on experiences and innovative culinary concepts. With live cooking demonstrations at The Grand Tasting, curated cooking classes and seminars, and elevated Signature Events, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival celebrates the ever-evolving epicurean scene in South Florida and beyond.
To aid in that mission, this year’s festival boasts an exciting lineup of celebrity chefs, each bringing their unique flair to the culinary scene. Headliners include Chef Fabio Viviani, celebrated for his Italian cuisine and appearances on Top Chef; Chef Alex Belew, winner of Hell's Kitchen Season 21; Chef Nancy Fuller, host of Food Network’s Farmhouse Rules; Chef Jason Smith, known for his whimsical Southern style and victory on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship; and Chef Alexa Santos, known for her viral at-home recipes on social media.
Plus, festival goers will be dining, drinking and vibing for a cause, as a portion of all proceeds from the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, one of the region’s leading pediatric hospitals.
A Taste of What's to Come
The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is serving up a mouthwatering lineup of Signature Events that promise to satisfy your tastebuds. Plus, don't miss out on the fest’s Culinary Education classes and exclusive dining series—guaranteed to elevate your food and wine knowledge. Here's a glimpse into the Signature Events that are absolute musts for any food and wine enthusiast. Trust us, you won't want to miss these!
Classes and Seminars
When: January 13 - 16, 2025
Where: Various locations throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale
Details: Learn from the pros and celebrity chefs at the Visit Lauderdale Food and Wine Festival’s exclusive cooking classes and seminars. Explore a variety of hands-on and engaging experiences, including the art of ice cream making, immersive wine seminars, the craft of Prohibition-era cocktails, and mastering the secrets of authentic ramen. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious, these sessions offer a delicious way to sharpen your skills and indulge in the best of Greater Fort Lauderdale's vibrant culinary scene..’
Tickets: Click here.
#VLFWF Dining Series
When: January 13 - 16, 2025
Where: Various locations throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale
Details: Experience the #VLFWF Dining Series, a remarkable lineup of exclusive, chef-led dinners featuring both Greater Fort Lauderdale’s brightest culinary talents and world-renowned guest chefs. These intimate gatherings showcase bold flavors, inventive dishes, and perfectly paired wines and cocktails. Each event is a celebration of creativity and collaboration, offering guests an unforgettable culinary adventure. Best of all, proceeds benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, making each bite even more meaningful.
Tickets: Click here.
Bar Fight! A Spirited Competition
When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Rooftop @ 1WLO
Details: Bar Fight! A Spirited Competition at Rooftop @1WLO will feature local mixologists battling to create the Official Cocktail of the 2025 Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival. Judged on presentation, flavor, and concept, competitors will present samples for fan voting before finalists face the judges. The winner will be crowned in this ultimate craft cocktail showdown.
Tickets: Click here.
Wok 'n Roll
When: Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Backyard Fort Lauderdale
Details: Celebrate the flavors of Asia paired with rock ‘n roll at this Asian street food and music experience. In partnership with Two Happy Buddha’s, this cultural experience will highlight Asian cuisine and culinary artistry found throughout Broward County.
Tickets: Click here.
BBQ at the Beach
When: Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Where: Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park
Details: Smoky flavors, waterfront views, and live music come together at BBQ at the Beach, making its debut at an all-new waterfront location, Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Hosted by celebrity chef Jason Smith, this ultimate foodie experience features top pitmasters from local and nationally renowned BBQ joints competing for the title of ‘BBQ Champion.’
Tickets: Click here.
The Grand Tasting
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025 at noon
Where: Las Olas Oceanside Park
Details: Feast your eyes (and fill your stomachs) at this beachside culinary celebration featuring four hours of unlimited bites and sips, cooking shows, live music, and more. Adding to the excitement, enjoy live cooking demos from Chef Fabio Viviani, Chef Alex Belew, and Chef Alexa Santos, making this event a must-attend for food lovers!
Tickets: Click here.
Beachside Brunch
When: Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Where: Las Olas Oceanside Park
Details: Savor coastal flavors at Beachside Brunch with Chef Nancy Fuller, known for her farm-to-table expertise. Indulge in exquisite brunch dishes by Greater Fort Lauderdale’s top chefs in a relaxed, beachside setting.
Tickets: Click here.
Picnic in the Park Presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
When: Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Where: Las Olas Oceanside Park
Details: Concluding the week-long epicurean excitement is Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Future foodies (a.k.a. kiddos) and parents alike will enjoy a curated lineup of food trucks, hands-on culinary classes, kid-friendly cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, the JDCH Kid’s Zone and local artisan vendors. Admission is free.
