Flavorful Things are Happening on Florida's Historic Coast
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (August 13, 2014) - September through November is the tastiest time of year for food lovers to visit Florida's Historic Coast - - especially when it comes to celebrating St. Augustine's culinary heritage. Food and wine are the focus of several special events this fall.
Sept. 9 to 13: St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival - The third annual St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival features five events in four days, each benefiting a local charity organization. The festival starts on September 9 with a Kick-Off Luncheon at First Coast Technical College. Members of the Fresh Starts in the Culinary Arts program serve a four-course, authentic Spanish lunch. Tickets are $25. On September 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Vino Veritas at The Treasury on the Plaza features Spanish wine pairing and preparation of authentic Spanish cuisine presented by Spanish winemakers and chefs from local restaurants. Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. On September 12, a special Cava Reception & Dinner featuring authentic Spanish food, music, dance and wine will take place at The Treasury on the Plaza from 6-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $125. On September 13, the final day of the Festival, aGrand Tasting with more than 125 Spanish wines available in the U.S. will take place from 2- 5 p.m. at the Promenade at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center. The fun and funky Batalla de Vino, literally translated as wine battle, takes place from 4-6 p.m. at Francis Field, located behind the Visitors Information Center. Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $35 in advance online or $45 at the event. Team registration for the Batalla de Vino is $250, and individual registration is $10 online or $20 at the event. For additional information about each event and to register online, visit
www.SpanishWineFestival.com. For more information, call 904.209.4227.
September 28: 5th Annual SAiRA Food & Wine Fest - The St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association will host this popular food and wine sampling in a flavorfully fun atmosphere at The River House, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine. Each of these 17 independently-owned restaurants offer a sampling of their most popular menu items while local wine purveyors provide samples of the perfect wines to pair with the fare. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Tickets are $55 per person.
www.StAugustineRestaurants.com.
October 1 - 31: Flavors of Florida's Historic Coast - Chefs in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches will add a lot of zest to dining in Northeast Florida during the 5th Annual Flavors of Florida's Historic Coast month long dining event. Flavors showcases the signature and heritage-inspired dishes that are the hallmark of the area's culinary offerings with prix fix dining options at more than 30 participating restaurants. For a list of participating restaurants, featured menus and information about chefs, visit www.HistoricCoastFlavors.com
October 2, 2014: St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum "An Evening with the Harns" - At 7 p.m.,the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum hosts an evening of Victorian culture at the grand opening of their newest exhibit "At Home with the Harns." Indulge in a delicious meal re-created from the January 1888 menu at the Hotel Ponce de Leon. History comes alive with keynote speaker Ed Bearss along with a silent auction. Tickets $125 non members; $100 members and can be purchased on the Lighthouse website. 81 Lighthouse Ave., St. Augustine. 904-829-0745www.StAugustineLighthouse.org
October 4 & 5: Datil Pepper Festival and Cook Off with Home and Garden Show - The annual Datil Pepper Festival includes a variety of events and delicious datil pepper tastings. This annual celebration serves to recognize the importance of the pepper in its relation to St. Augustine's history. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., local chefs will compete in the annual Datil Pepper Cook-Off! Creating new dishes for patrons of the event to taste, the competitors must use the datil pepper as one of the main ingredients of their dish. Guests of the festival may purchase tasting coupons, allowing them to sample and vote on People's Choice Awards. In addition to the cook-off, there will be a wide selection of datil pepper products, plants, and decor for sale at the Home and Garden Show open till 4 p.m.each day. It all takes place at the St. Augustine Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. For more information, call 904-209-0430 or visit http://augustine.com/event/datil-pepper-festival-cook
October 10 - 12 - 17th Annual St. Augustine Greek Festival - Opa! Greek food and pastries await visitors at the 17th Annual St. Augustine Greek Festival. This annual festival celebrates the Greek heritage that began when the first Greek settlers arrived in Florida in 1768. Enjoy Greek food, live music, traditionally-costumed folk dancers, arts and crafts vendors, a kid's center with games, rides, and more! The festival is open Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for those 12 and under. Free admission for active military and their immediate family with ID. 29 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. 904-829-0504.
October 18: 2nd Annual Food Truck Wars - The food battle is on! From 2 to 8 p.m., 40 Gourmet Food Trucks from around Florida will compete in 5 categories. Celebrity Chef Judges, led by Chef Jim Whaples, retired President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, will judge Casual Cuisine and Delectable Dessert, while visitors will judge the prestigious People's Choice Award. The day's activities include live music, beer garden, a kids area and lots of food. A portion of proceeds benefit Kiwanis of Historic St Augustine. Food costs range $3 to $18. Free admission. Francis Field on W. Castillo Dr. Info@FoodTruckCrazy.com 407-296-5882 www.FoodTruckWars.com
October 18 - 19: 2nd Annual St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Festival - Celebrate maritime history and a love of the sea at this two-day festival at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Events include the Quick and Dirty Boat Building Competition and Race, the Old City Bartending Challenge, educational exhibits, craft vendors, book signings, lecturers, a beer and wine tent, the Astillero de Perro Dog Agility Contest, Ponce de Leon Paddle Battle SUP Race, kids' activities, live music and the popular Saturday Night Minorcan Chowder and Pilau Party. The festival is 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets (includes admission to the Fountain of Youth) are adults $12, seniors $11, children 6-12, $8 and free for those 6 and under. Tickets for St. Johns County residents and military families with I.D. are adults $5, seniors $4, children 6-12 $3. Under 6 are free. 11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine 904-599-3800 http://staugmaritimeheritage.org
October 23:Flavors Top Chef Cook-Off, a benefit for Home Again St. Johns - Taste your way through the night and watch some of the area's favorite chefs demonstrate their amazing culinary skills. This Flavors of Florida's Coast top Chef Cook-Off event features cooking demonstrations by the area's best chefs with more than 25 area restaurants competing for the Flavors People's Choice Award, chosen by ticket holders. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance World Golf Resort. Tickets are $40 and include 10 tastings at the event (additional taste tickets will be available for $2 each). Buy-one-get-one free advance ticket sales are available August 15 - September 8, 2014, at the San Sebastian Winery, the St. Augustine Distillery and online at www.HistoricCoastFlavors.com
October 25: "OceanWise" - The Friends of the GTM Reserve will host "OceanWise," a sustainable seafood event fundraiser to support and enhance programs in environmental education, stewardship of natural and cultural resources and scientific research projects at the GTM Research Reserve. The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Road in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, visitwww.gtmnerr.org or call 904.823.4500.
November 2: 30th Annual Great St. Augustine Chowder Debate - More than 30 area restaurants compete for top honors in this tasty fundraiser for Shriners Children's Hospitals. Tastes are $1 each and winners will be selected in New England, Minorcan, conch and/or seafood categories. Sponsored by and held at The Conch House Marina Resort from 12:30 - 4 p.m. 57 Comares Ave., St. Augustine. 904-829-8646 www.conch-house.com
November 22 - Colonial Autumn in Spanish Florida - From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors to St. Augustine's Fort Mose State Park will learn about and sample the fruits and vegetables grown by Spanish residents during the 1700s. Local Farm Fare will present a farmer's market featuring vegetables, fruits and herbs from Spanish colonial times that are still grown today. Florida Living History's Los Companeros de la Cocina will present cooking demonstrations. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., independent scholar Annie Francis will present her research findings from the Spanish Archives of the Indies about foods commonly consumed in Spanish Florida and recipes for their preparation. She will also take visitors on a walking tour to observe the preparation and cooking of these foods. Samples will be available. The event is free. 15 Fort Mose Trail St. Augustine. 904-823-2232 www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose.
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches For more information on events, activities, holiday getaway and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com, become a fan, Facebook or call 1.800.653.2489.