The 11th annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival will roll out the culinary red carpet in December as it welcomes a star-studded lineup of remarkable, award-winning chefs.
Over the span of four days, from Dec. 14 – 17, foodies can expect nothing short of astounding dinners, tastings and cooking demonstrations brought to you by more than 40 of the most renowned culinary experts in the world and involving more than 50 of South Florida’s most popular restaurants.
The 11th annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival will roll out the culinary red carpet in December as it welcomes a star-studded lineup of remarkable, award-winning chefs.
Festival goers can encounter the likes of Food Network stars Robert Irvine, Marc Murphy, Elizabeth Falkner and Duff Goldman.
Other high-profile chefs include Timon Balloo, Michelle Bernstein, Daniel Boulud, Julie Franceschini, Brad Kilgore, Mike Lata, Anita Lo, Beau MacMillan, Jeff Mauro, Dean Max, Ken Oringer, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Jonathon Sawyer, Daniel Serfer, Stephen Stryjewski and Virginia Willis.
Palm Beach County favorites include Lindsay Autry, Aaron Black, Sean Brasel, Clay Conley, Tim Lipman, Julien Gremaud, Tory Martindale, Jeff Simms, Rick Mace and Michael Hackman.
New chefs at the festival this year include Matthew Jennings, Ben Ford, Donald Link, Timothy Hollingsworth, Tony Mantuano, David Viviano, Harold Moore and Fabrizio Giorgi.
The culinary talent pool also includes wine experts and Master Sommeliers Virginia Philip and Andrew McNamara.
Here are some event highlights:
December 14
The festival opens Thursday, Dec. 14 with four simultaneous sit-down dinners, each focused on a different theme and hosted at Palm Beach’s hottest restaurants ($185 per person; 7-10 p.m.):
- Sustain will feature a seafood-inspired, five-course meal at PB CATCH Seafood & Raw Bar with chefs Michelle Bernstein, Beau MacMillan, Dean Max and Aaron Black.
- A Rustic Root will offer the chance to enjoy healthy, fresh food inspired by vegetables at the Avocado Grill with chefs Timon Balloo, Brad Kilgore, Anita Lo and Julien Gremaud.
- Gravy celebrates the best of Italian food with chefs Tony Mantuano, Marc Murphy and Fabrizio Giorgi at Café Sapori.
- The First Bite is sold out but those who attend can expect the unexpected from chefs Timothy Hollingsworth, Matthew Jennings and Clay Conley at his open-kitchen concept restaurant, Būccan.
December 15
On Friday, Dec. 15, the festival’s kick-off party, nicknamed “Fire,” will be outdoors at The Breakers Palm Beach. Presented by Cheney Brothers, the resort’s executive chef Jeff Simms, along with Master Sommelier Virginia Philip will welcome fellow chefs, industry leaders and other guests to the sold out event. Expect a unique theme for the many food stations, passed bites, delicious wines and specialty cocktails.
December 16
Saturday, Dec. 16 is scheduled to be filled with fun activities, like Kids Kitchen, hosted by chefs Robert Irvine and Virginia Willis, to encourage children to become next generation top chefs ($50 per child, includes adult, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m, 10:30 a.m.-noon) and Street Food: Battle Royal presented by SYSCO, a street friendly food competition, held in front of the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach (Sold out, 7-10 p.m.) Also at night will be a new event, Daniel by Night presented by Old School Bakery, will feature a walk-around tasting in the garden of Café Boulud, hosted by chef-owner Daniel Boulud and the restaurant’s top talent, Executive Chef Rick Mace and Executive Pastry Chef Julie Franceschini. ($140 per person; 8-11 p.m.).
December 17
Another new event on Sunday, Dec. 17, will be Brunch in Paradise, which takes this culinary eating pastime to another level at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, featuring a casual walk-around brunch with tables of mid-morning dishes presented in collaboration with chefs Anita Lo, Dean Max, Daniel Serfer and David Viviano. ($115 per person; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.).
Tickets are selling fast for this once-in-a-lifetime culinary extravaganza. Go to Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival to purchase tickets or call 877.503.9463. ■
