The most exciting times in the Miami area are the spring food festivals. That is if you have a fancy for some mouthwatering fresh produce, catch of the day seafood, divine wine and top choice meats. Add to that the most beautiful weather of South Florida a perfect combo. Actually, the best part is that many of the festivals help to raise awareness for good causes. Now that is 100% in good taste.
Here are some top food festivals taking place in Miami-Dade County offering VIP experiences that you don’t want to miss out on.
Coral Gables Wine and Food Festival
Discover new restaurants and exciting wines at the eighth annual festival, presented by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
This year’s festival has a new location, in the 100 block of Giralda Avenue at Ponce de Leon Boulevard. It will run from 7:30-10 p.m. March 26 and will feature cuisine from Anacapri on Ponce, Barrio Latino on Sunset, Benihana, Blue Martini, BonBon Café and Patisserie, Chilorio’s Very Mexican, Donut Divas & Fun Foods, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. New to the festival is the DEWAR’S Momento D Lounge.
The man behind the festival is Marc A. Buoniconti, who sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury in 1985 while playing football for The Citadel. He is working with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the American Lung Association of Florida to raise money for pulmonary research through the festival.
“We hope to deliver a festival that will give them the quality and quantity,” said Paula Prendergast, a regional director at the American Lung Association Florida.
Festival profits will also go to the International Bronchitis Center at The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Admission is $65 for general entry, which includes sampling from over 30 of restaurants paired with wines at more than 25 tables. A $150 VIP ticket option is available, which includes early access.
The Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay
The Seventh Annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay, taking place March 27, is a full day of family-friendly fun with scrumptious seafood at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Ave.
Guests can take historic house and trail tours with the Estate’s naturalists, stroll through the Artist Village, or relax on the lawn.
“The Deering Seafood Festival has morphed from what was originally started as an intimate seaside clam bake on the lawn back in the early 90’s before Hurricane Andrew to what it is today designed to draw guests to the Estate using the allure of freshly prepared Florida seafood,” said Mary Petit, executive director of the Deering Estate Foundation.
There will be a “Seafood Alley” featuring some of Miami’s top chefs. There will be cooking demonstrations presented by Whole Foods Market paired with wine courtesy of Crown Wine & Spirits.
Also, new this year is the Deering Discovery Cove, a simulated underwater archaeological adventure, created by the Estate’s educational staff in partnership with Palmer Trinity School.
Admission tickets include park entrance and all activities from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., excluding food, drink, boat rides and rock-climbing wall. Adult tickets are $15 online and $20 at the gate, Children, ages 4-14, will pay $5 a ticket, and Deering Foundation members are Free. Proceeds benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.
United Way Wine and Food Festival
The 16th Annual United Way Miami Wine and Food Festival expands its schedule to a four-day event, with notable chefs, top wineries and winemakers, and celebrity mixologists.
Taking place April 14-April 17, the festival is presented by American Express, and all proceeds will benefit United Way of Miami-Dade’s work in education, income and health.
“We have a lot of local talent and all the chefs give of their time and talent for free,” said Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the United Way Miami. “Proceeds from this event allows us to really look into the community to see where we can better education and help families make the right choices.”
Festivities begin on April 14, with the “Taste & Toast – Fine Wine Tasting” presented by Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, at the Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables. The VIP tasting begins at 6 p.m., general admission begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $150 per VIP admission; $75 per general admission.
Other activities include a Food, Friends & Fun Interactive Dinner on April 15 at the InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza. Dewey LoSasso, executive chef of The Forge Restaurant and Wine Bar, will headline the dinner, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $300 per person and $2,400 per table of eight.
The festival culminates on April 17 with Brews & Bites – Craft Beer Tasting, presented by CBIZ and taking place at Mary Brickell Village, 901 South Miami Ave. The event will feature bites from area restaurants, live entertainment, craft beers and micro-brews. The VIP tasting begins at 1 pm, general admission begins at 2 pm; tickets are $75 per VIP admission and $55 per general admission.
Fairchild Tropical Food and Garden Festival
Gather new recipes and tips from local chefs using local produce and shop at the farmers’ market at the third annual festival, April 30-May 1 at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd.
From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy lectures on growing your own edible garden, sustainability, and cooking demonstrations while also taking part in the 32nd Annual Spring Plant Sale.
“With childhood obesity on the rise, and the general decline of healthy eating across much of the U.S., focus has been put on a return to healthful living,” said Nannette Zapata, Fairchild’s chief operating officer.
The Garden will also have the Green Mobility Network on hand throughout the festival, offering a bike valet service at their South Gate. If visitors walk or ride their bikes to Fairchild, they will receive $5 off the admission price for adults and $2 for children.
Admission is free to Fairchild members and children 5 and under. Non-member tickets are $25for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children6-17.
Coconut Grove Food, Wine and Music Festival
Celebrating its first year, The Coconut Grove Food, Wine and Music Festival will be held on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Rd., from 4-9:30 p.m., May 7.
Guests can sample dishes from 20 of Miami’s chefs, while tasting wines and spirits.
Sponsored by Los Ranchos Steakhouse and The Grove Isle Hotel and Spa, amongst other local businesses, the event will by hosted by the Florida Marlins Community Foundation and will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.
Ticket options include a general admission pass for $20, which will give visitors access to the seminars and activities, not including food or wine sampling. A $60 ticket includes a complimentary wine glass and access to all food sampling from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A VIP pass for $125 includes all the amenities offered to festival goers, plus a gift bag, which contains a bottle of wine. Kids ages 12 and under are free.