Forks & Corks. Food, Wine, and Sarasota Sunshine!
This annual food and wine fest really shines!
It’s “That” Time of Year. Yes, the official start to “season” is still a couple of weeks off. But MY very unofficial start to season has just taken place.
For the past 18 years (minus a few weather hiccups and schedule changes), the last Sunday of January brings local food and wine appreciators face-to-face with wine and food purveyors from our area and around the world.
The Forks & Corks Grand Tasting is more than just a fun afternoon of wining and dining in the beautiful John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art courtyard. It’s also a time for some of our best Sarasota area chefs, along with winemakers worldwide, to show us what they’ve got.
For the participating wineries, it’s a juried affair. That means bragging rights are at stake in multiple wine style categories. This is serious business, to be sure. Winning a F&C medal just might put your vintage on someone’s radar.
For the restaurants, it’s an opportunity to showcase a creative new dish that might be a newcomer to the menu. Or remind us of an established old favorite that maybe we haven’t sampled in a while. Also serious business, just no medals. 🥇
🍴 🍷 Delicious food and drink is the order of the day! The lucky folks who were fortunate enough to score a ticket to this year’s event were treated to a seemingly never-ending array of small plates with big flavors and wines that delighted the palate.
Sometimes, words are enough to describe a scene. In this case, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Words are great and all (and I love to write them), but pictures are infinitely better. They might not be as great as tasting these creations, but it’s the best we can do at the moment.
Some Sights From The Day 😎
I think this goes without saying: “You can’t have a food and wine event without people.” There, I said it. And I feel pretty good about it. 😊
And it’s not just the people doing the eating and drinking. It’s EVERYBODY!
There are folks showing off their style…
There are ladies out for a Sunday outing…
There are discussions of what’s in the glass and on the plate…
Yes, there are Chefs… 🧑🍳
And Sous Chefs…
Things need to be plated…
And served…
Of course, things need to be poured…
And tasted…
Sometimes, a plan really comes together. As you would imagine, this calls for an impromptu celebration!
Yes, as you can see, people are a BIG part of this day. This huge annual undertaking seems to come off with the utmost ease (at least to us attendees). But we all know it may look easy, but… The Sarasota-Manatee Originals have invested months and months of planning and sweat equity to make this wonderful day a reality. And it shows! (Applause Here! 👏👏)
I know you’ve really come for the food, and trust me, we haven’t forgotten. With over 45+ options to choose from, I think it’s fair to say that every taste bud can find something to celebrate here.
Let’s Look at a Few of the Dishes!
Let’s have dessert first! These Mini Cinnamon Rolls from The Breakfast Company will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Each restaurant brought their A Game. I mean, why wouldn’t they, right?
I’m not sure if we can break these down into courses, so let’s just say it’s one big continuous feast. Here we go…
A Whole Lot From the Sea This Year! 🐠
Yeah, of course, Adeline brought the most popular cold small plate on their regular restaurant menu, the Scallop Crudo!
These Fresh Shucked Oysters from Element were a real crowd-pleaser.
Fins at Sharky’s used oysters in a different way. Have a peek at their Oysters Rockefeller.
The Gulf Fish Ceviche from Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. was light and bright.
The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant went all out with this Snow Crab Cocktail. It was an absolute showstopper. (I could have pulled up a chair right here!) 🦀
Presentation might not be everything, but The Bistro at the Sarasota Art Museum put on quite the display showing off their Truffled Salmon Tartare.
There were a few things not from the big, blue water.
Cafe Venice took the seemingly ordinary Chicken Salad Sandwich and made it extraordinary.
The Ringling Grillroom made their House Made Meatballs really shine!
Going Global 🌍
The Edible Magazine Global Market returned for another year. They showed off the sights, sounds, and tastes of Epic Asia! It featured demos on sushi rolling, hibachi cooking, AND, in what very well may be a Sarasota first, Dragon Dancers! 🐉
😎 An afternoon strolling in the Sarasota sun, sipping wine and feasting on some of the best that our local culinary community has to offer. Not a horrible way to spend any Sunday. If this was any indication, I would say that “season” is off to an impressive start!
~ LH
📌 ODDS & ENDS
🧘 Yoga + Wine? Sure, it seems like an odd combo. But, hey, I’ll give most anything a try once. Ortygia in Bradenton is the place where you can be a part of a one-hour yoga session and then enjoy a wine tasting! Sunday, February 2nd at 3PM. Limited availability. TEXT APRIL @ 941-587-5678 for a res. 🍷
🥃 A New Kind of Pairing. This is a love it or hate it or kind of thing. We know that cigars and bourbon are natural companions. But what about tequila? (I’ll admit I like tequila with just about anything!) Agave + Embers: An Evening with Nosotros Tequila. Tuesday, February 4th, hosted by Kolucan. TICKETS HERE!
🍕 Attention Pizza Loving Teachers! Are you a Sarasota area teacher? Do you love pizza? If you’ve answered YES to both of those questions, then we’ve got a great solution for your pizza fix. Every Tuesday, Pie on Main hosts Teacher Tuesdays! Get ½ off any pie with your school ID. – MORE INFO!
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️
Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – FRANCE🌍
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS
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