If Greater Fort Lauderdale had a flavor, it would be something bright, unexpected, and maybe just a little indulgent. This January, the seventh annual Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival serves that spirit in style, returning January 19–25, 2026, for a weeklong celebration of chefs, creativity, and community. What began as a local love letter to food and hospitality has become one of Florida’s most anticipated culinary events—equal parts star-studded spectacle and hometown showcase.
The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival was born from a simple idea: to showcase Broward County’s culinary talent. Festival co-founders Kate Reed and Phillip Marro launched the inaugural event in 2019 with just four gatherings. “The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival was created to shine a spotlight on our local restaurants, hotels, chefs, and mixologists,” Marro recalls. “Each event is designed to showcase what makes Greater Fort Lauderdale special—from our beaches to our downtown and arts districts—and to celebrate the extraordinary flavors and experiences of the region.” Reed adds that the festival also highlights the area’s hospitality professionals, bringing attention to talent that often goes under the radar.
From that humble beginning, the festival has blossomed into a full-scale celebration of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s ever-evolving food scene. Today, it brings together Michelin-recognized restaurants, James Beard-nominated chefs, and nationally acclaimed talent for seven days of flavor and fun. This year’s lineup is the most impressive yet, led by Top Chefwinner Richard Blais alongside Eddie Jackson, Nancy Fuller, Jason Smith, Clarice Lam, Ron “Captain Ron” Dimpflmaier, Remy Powell, and Dario Stephen. From household culinary names to rising regional stars, the roster reflects Fort Lauderdale’s transformation into a true dining destination.
“Each year, this event grows in size and flavor,” says Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “It’s a celebration of our culinary identity, from local favorites to global stars—and it keeps getting bigger, better, and more delicious.”
The festival opens with the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival Dining Series Presented by PNC Bank, a dynamic run of 10 one-night-only dinners that pair celebrated chefs in unexpected collaborations. Monday’s Opening Night at Heritagesets the tone, hosted by Michelin Bib Gourmand chef Rino Cerbone. From there, the week unfolds with experiences that travel the world through Fort Lauderdale’s kitchens: Ukiah × Macchialina, where chefs Michael Lewis and Michael Pirolo blend Japanese and Italian influences; Calusso × Mamani, an elegant showcase of Italian-French technique by chefs Jonathan Kaiser and Christophe De Lellis; and Wan’s × Kaya × Temple Street Eatery, an Asian-inspired collaboration featuring Clarice Lam and Diego Ng.
Among the highlights is Even Keel × Stage × DJM Restaurants, hosted by chefs David MacLennan, Brad Phillips, Pushkar Marathe, and Dean James Max. This coastal-inspired dinner at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea’s Even Keel Fish Shack celebrates Florida’s freshest bounty—sustainable seafood, locally sourced produce, and modern techniques that define the region’s culinary DNA. It’s the kind of meal that reminds diners why Fort Lauderdale’s seaside culture and food scene are inseparable.
The series continues with creative crossovers like Evelyn’s × Auro, blending coastal influences with Michelin-starred artistry; Daniel’s × Darioush Wine, where chef Daniel Ganem crafts an indulgent multi-course pairing; and Steelpan × The Rabbit Hole, a vegan Caribbean collaboration that proves plant-based dining can be every bit as bold. Beer enthusiasts can raise a glass at 26 Degree Brewing Company’s Founder’s Dinner, a casual, flavorful evening pairing chef-driven dishes with craft brews.
By Thursday, things heat up under the stars at Wok ’n Roll, hosted by Clarice Lam, where sizzling woks meet live music at the new Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade. Friday night brings BBQ at the Beach, presented by Demesmin & Dover and hosted by Jason Smith with guest pitmaster Captain Ron Dimpflmaier—a smoky showdown of brisket, bourbon, and beach views. Then comes Saturday’s showstopper: The Grand Tasting, the festival’s signature event, featuring more than 100 tastings, chef demonstrations by Richard Blais, Eddie Jackson, and Dimpflmaier, and a lively beachfront atmosphere that captures the very essence of South Florida.
Sunday is all about slowing down in style. Beachside Brunch, hosted by Nancy Fuller with special guest Eddie Jackson, serves coastal comfort with a farm-to-table twist, while Picnic in the Park, presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, invites families to enjoy kid-friendly cooking demos, food trucks, live entertainment, and local artisan vendors in a relaxed open-air setting.
Between the headline events, the festival offers a robust lineup of culinary and beverage classes designed to engage, educate, and entertain. Guests can roll up their sleeves for Cooking with Bourbon with Nancy Fuller and Jason Smith or Breaking Bao with Clarice Lam and Diego Ng. Others might explore The Art of Pasta with Chef Jorge Montes, dive into Flavors of Peru, or unwind at Flow & Feast, a yoga-and-sound-bath experience paired with organic wines and plant-based bites at MAD Arts Museum. Sommeliers lead wine journeys like The Sparkling Wine Experience and Natty by Nature, while Cocktail Uncultured shakes things up with Whisk(e)y: The Spirit of Life and the color-splashed new addition Libations Exotica: The Cult of Tiki—a hands-on class exploring rum culture, tropical flavors, and the vintage tiki revival that’s sweeping the country.
But beyond the menus and mixology, the festival’s heart remains rooted in community. “Year after year, Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival continues to grow, drawing more fans and chefs from around the world,” says Ritter. “This seventh annual celebration is our biggest yet, highlighting the incredible talent, flavors, and creativity that make the destination a premier culinary hub.” A portion of proceeds benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, ensuring that every toast and tasting contributes to something meaningful. “It’s about coming together—over food, over flavor, over community,” adds Cressman Bronson, PNC’s regional president for Southeast Florida. “When every bite helps make a difference, it adds a little extra meaning to every moment.”
For Reed and Marro, that combination of purpose and pleasure remains the soul of the festival. “We’ve worked so hard to offer literally something for everyone,” Marro once said—and he wasn’t exaggerating. From bourbon to bao, from brunch to barbecue, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival captures the joy of taste paired with the pride of place.
Whether you’re securing VIP access at The Grand Tasting or rolling up your sleeves in a hands-on class, this is one culinary week worth clearing your calendar for. Because in Greater Fort Lauderdale, the table’s set—and everyone’s invited.
Tickets and details at VLFoodWine.com
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