Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival
Now in its fifth year, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF) will take place from January 8-14, 2024, 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 will be headlined by several celebrity chefs, including MasterChef judge Aarón Sánchez, Food Network's "Holiday Baking Championship" winner Jason Smith, Nancy Fuller (host of Food Network’s “Farmhouse Rules”), and Nicole Layog, a private chef who appeared on “Big Brother.”
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!
Bar Fight! A Spirited Competition
When: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Rooftop @ 1WLO
Details: Shake things up at this master mixologist showdown, presented by the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. Reigning champion Myles Robinson, a mixology influencer with @StandishCocktails, is certainly not shaken (or stirred) by this year’s stiff competition and is ready to defend his 2023 victory. This year, he’ll go up against master mixologists in a head-to-head, no-holds barred matchup that’ll declare the ‘Official Cocktail of DowntownFTL.’
Tickets: Click here.
Wok 'n Roll
When: Thursday, January 11, 2024 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.
Poolside BBQ Battle
When: Friday, January 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Where: Hyatt Centric Las Olas
Details: All smoke (but no mirrors) here, as pitmasters showcase their best BBQ creations in a quest to be crowned the 2024 Poolside BBQ Battle Champion. Returning for another shot at glory is two-time reigning champ, Ed Randolph–Food Network’s “Chopped” winner and owner of Handsome Devil BBQ. This culinary event will have you lost in the sauce!
Tickets: Click here.
The Grand Tasting
When: Saturday, January 13, 2024 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 much more. Celebrity Chef Aarón Sánchez will grace the stage with a masterful demonstration, showcasing his culinary prowess. Chefs Jason Smith and Nancy Fuller will go head-to-head in an epic North vs. South cook-off. And Chef Nicole Layog will add her own zest with a delicious cooking demo.
Tickets: Click here.
Picnic in the Park Presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
When: Sunday, January 14, 2024 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.
