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Wanderlust Weekends
It’s fall in Florida, when foodies can look forward to a number of top-notch festivals aimed at introducing a locality’s epicurean diversity from emerging and established chefs and restaurants to wine and spirits tastings for the serious sipper. Locally, you can’t miss the annual SAVOR St. Pete set for November 5-6, but if you feel like wandering, head to the Ocala Food & Wine Festival or Wine, Whiskey and Wildlife near St. Augustine. These unique festivals feature lively tastings, live concerts, chef dinners and more. Mark your calendars and plan to indulge the senses!
Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife: Food, Spirts and Coastal Beauty
St. Augustine is known for many things, in particular its history as the oldest city in the United States, making it a top destination for travelers from around the world. Deeply rooted in Spanish, French and British cultures, St. Augustine’s culinary scene is equally expansive and always a delight to discover.
Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife in neighboring Vilano Beach is a unique annual festival that combines tastings of wine and spirits with inspired cuisine from some of the area’s best chefs and restaurants. It also offers a chance to experience the coastal beauty of the nearby Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Yes, you can go wild at this weekend event which serves to raise funds and awareness for Vilano Beach Main Street and the GTM Reserve, 11,000-acres of protected land and water. Highlights include a kick-off Chef’s Wine Dinner with acclaimed Chef Michael Lugo, an A1A Sunset Street Dinner on Friday, and the Grand Tasting street festival on Sunday.
Scheduled events:
Thursday, Nov. 2: Pesca by Michael’s Wine Dinner, 6pm, elegant four-course, wine-paired dinner by Executive Chef Michael Lugo at the highly acclaimed new Pesca by Michael’s inside the new Hyatt Place Vilano Beach.
Friday, Nov. 3: Vilano A1A Soiree, 6:30pm, elegant five-course sunset street dinner showcasing some of Florida A1A’s best restaurants throughout Northeast Florida.
Master classes presented by Publix will be held Friday from 10am to 3:30pm, $65 each, with local and celebrity guest chefs, cookbook authors and beverage experts. Limited tickets available.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Grand Tasting – Block Party in Vilano Beach, 2-5pm Food and beverage tastings (spirits, wines and beers) with a souvenir glass and live music, cooking demonstrations and wildlife exhibits.
Guided Tours through the GTM Reserve/Wine & Cheese Reception, 10:30 am to noon, $45.
Sunday, Nov. 5 : Sunday Jazz Brunch, an all-inclusive culinary and drink ticket at Pesca by Michael’s with rooftop beverage tasting stations and live music after brunch.
For tickets and information, go to whiskeywineandwildlife.com
Ocala Food & Wine Festival
The third annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival, presented by Lugano Diamonds, is a three day culinary extravaganza. Returning to the World Equestrian Center on November 3-5, attendees will experience a celebrity-chef-led celebration featuring three days of culinary competition, beer, wine and spirits, education and samples of extraordinary cuisine.
Scheduled events:
Friday, Nov. 3, Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues, 6pm - 9pm Gather on the Grand Plaza for a welcome event featuring local Ocala barbecue and live-fire cuisine, bourbon tastings and blues music with the Honey Hounds.
Saturday, Nov. 4 Taste of Ocala, 11am-3pm
In Expo Center 1, attendees will enjoy grand tastings featuring celebrity-chef-led demonstrations, educational classes with masters of the industry, and samples of cuisine, wine, beer and spirits. The Junior Chef Mystery Basket competition will return on the main stage! Breakout Classes and cooking demonstrations available throughout the day.
Celebrity Chef Dinner, 7pm
Indulge in a multicourse dinner from a team of celebrity chefs. Each course is prepared and paired by a different culinary master or industry expert. Learn from the celebrity chefs as they present each course on the outdoor terrace at Stirrups Restaurant.
Sunday, Nov. 5
Jazz Brunch, 10am-1pm
Raise a glass to the end of the weekend with a Champagne brunch on The Equestrian Hotel terrace featuring live jazz music.
Looking to make it a weekend getaway? The Equestrian Hotel, situated in the heart of the complex, features 248 stylishly appointed rooms and suites. In between your culinary adventure, guests will find no shortage of activities, including relaxing poolside, indulge in the full-service Calluna Spa, dine al fresco on the outdoor terrace and browse luxury and performance retailers.
Event proceeds will support the Public Education Foundation Of Marion County ProStart Program, which helps develop youth in the culinary and hospitality industries in Marion County and beyond.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.ocalafoodandwinefest.com
