A Bounty On The Beach Awaits
Photo Courtesy of Palm Beach Food And Wine Festival
The much-anticipated Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival is raising a glass to 10 years with a star-studded lineup of chefs and sommeliers. The city‘s event is even bigger than before with an expanded program of tastings, dinners and new happenings set to take place December 8 through 11. As is the annual tradition, this year’s four-day celebration is set to bring back world-renowned chefs and more opportunities to mix and mingle. With so much to see, taste and do at the gastro gathering, we wanted to give you a sampling of the weekend’s best bets.
What to taste
While some events are sold out, you can still snag tickets for some old favorites and debuts. On December 8, vegetarians will want to check out the new Rustic Root, a five-course vegetable-based dinner at Avocado Grill. Seafood lovers should opt for Sustain at PB Catch for a five-course meal helmed by acclaimed chefs Anita Lo, George Mendes and Ken Oringer. The menu features the best in sustainable seafood with wine pairings.
The December 9 events are already sold out, but that gives you time to rest up for the weekend. On December 10, festivities start at the Rise and Dine event, a beachside breakfast at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa with the resort’s executive chef, Josh Thomsen, and James Beard Award nominees Brad Kilgore and Giorgio Rapicavoli.
A Glitzy Gastro Gathering, Photo Courtesy of Palm Beach Food And Wine Festival
In the afternoon, make your way to the iconic Palm Beach Grill for Lunch at the Grill, where chef Andrew Schor will be your host for a four-course meal with wine pairings.
After a day of feasting, you’ll be ready to unwind at the After Hours event at Imoto for late-night light bites and a cocktail party featuring a rock ’n’ roll jam with Miami chef Richard Hales and James Beard nominee Clay Conley.
If you’re able stick around until the very end of the fest (and you certainly should), organizers have pulled out all the stops for its Grand Tasting on December 11. Expect a helping of chef book signings, live bands and DJs, a fashion runway show, food and wine samples and the always-popular Grand Chef Throwdown Finale. Plus, it’s all being cooked up at the festive Palm Beach Gardens Mall. Maybe you can squeeze in some high-end shopping in between bites.
As you’re noshing the weekend away, keep an eye out for the likes of Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Daniel Boulud; Food Network stars Robert Irvine and Jeff Maura; James Beard-recognized chefs Michelle Bernstein, Lee Wolen and Jose Mendin; and Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford of The Miami Beach Edition’s Matador Room. It wouldn’t shock anyone if the familiar faces showed up unexpectedly to other toques’ tables to nibble a bit.
Chillin’ and Grillin’ by the Sand, Photo Courtesy of Palm Beach Food And Wine Festival
Where to stay
Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach will once again play host to the festival. The ultra-luxurious destination is offering a special package that gives you access to some of the festival’s highlights, including tickets for two to Chef Talks, Chillin’ n Grillin’ and Street Food Fest.
For an idyllic stay, park your fork at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, located in Manalapan, sitting just south of Palm Beach. If you check out the aforementioned Rise and Dine event, you’ll get a taste of the new oceanfront eatery, Breeze Ocean Kitchen.