As most of the U.S. plunges into freezing temperatures, the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival returns at the time of year when South Florida is experiencing its best, balmy weather. Following eight successful years, this year’s festival—from Dec. 10–Dec. 13—features a dozen events, with a star-studded lineup of culinary masters, food trendsetters, and wine lovers. The festival includes something for everyone: intimate and lively dinners, wine and cocktail tastings, cooking demos, and book signings. Headquartered at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, there are also events that take place in other locations throughout the Palm Beaches.

Highlights include:

Thursday, Dec. 10, Festival Kickoff Dinners

Sustain: Ocean sustainability is at the forefront in this seafood-inspired dinner at PB CATCH Seafood & Raw Bar. Chefs include Johnny Iuzzini, Mike Lata, Jonathon Sawyer, Stephen Stryjewski and Aaron Black. 7 pm, $160 per person.
The First Bite: Expect the unexpected as chef Clay Conley is joined by chefs Hugh Acheson, Gavin Kaysen and George Mendes at Conley’s Palm Beach restaurant, Būccan. 7 pm, $160 per person.

Friday, Dec. 11

Miami Takeover: Chef Sean Brasel welcomes Miami chefs Daniel Serfer, Dena Marino, Brad Kilgore and Giorgio Rapicavoli to serve up lunch specials at Meat Market Palm Beach, Brasel’s spinoff of his South Beach flagship. 12 pm, $95 per person.
Get Served! Chefs battle it out in the annual chef volleyball championship at the Four Seasons Resort. Teams are made up of sommeliers, chefs, and other festival friends, proving that being a star chef doesn’t necessarily make you a net star. 2 pm, free.
Chef Welcome Party: This soiree presented by the Cheney brothers features executive chef Jeff Simms heading up the evening at the Breakers Resort Palm Beach. Expect a unique theme for food stations, passed bites, wines, and specialty cocktails. 7 pm, $125 per person.
Late Night Rock: Hosted by Food Network’s Jeff Mauro— karaoke extraordinaire—with chefs and guests, this evening at the Four Seasons Resort is a party with cocktails and karaoke gone wild. 11:30 pm, $75 per person.

Saturday, Dec. 12

Chillin ’N’ Grillin’ presented by the Gardens Mall challenges top chefs such as Robert Irvine, Hugh Acheson, and Timon Balloo to reimagine how to grill up some of their favorites. Held at the Four Seasons Resort’s poolside terrace. 12:30 pm; $125 per person.
Street Food presented by SYSCO is a street-food competition in which top NYC chefs take on Palm Beach chefs at the Four Seasons Resort. There are People’s Choice prizes as well as Judge’s Best Bite. 7 pm, $125 per person.

Sunday, Dec. 13

At Daniel & Friends, celebrity chef Daniel Boulud takes brunch to a new level at Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court Hotel, with chef Rick Mace dishing up table after table of brunch dishes, and sommelier Mariya Kovacheva encouraging Champagne indulgences. 11 am $125 per person.
The 9th Annual Grand Tasting presented by Stoli welcomes 60 of South Florida’s hottest restaurants at the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, offering a variety of food tastings and wines. There is live music, celebrity chef book signings, a fashion show and much more. 5 pm, $75 per person.

To purchase tickets, visit pbfoodwinefest.com, or call 561-389-1222. ■