FE ATURES
FE ATURES
SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN
2019, THE VISIT LAUDERDALE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL HAS GROWN IN SCALE AND SCOPE, DRAWING TICKET BUYERS FROM ALL 50 STATES AND MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES.
hands-on classes spread across the week. Signature moments include The Grand Tasting, where dozens of local restaurants and visiting chefs come together for a beachside celebration, and Beachside Brunch, which closes the weekend with a more relaxed, coastal sensibility. “We work with people who really know those worlds,” Reed says. “We let them lead the curation. That’s important.” As Fort Lauderdale’s culinary reputation grows, so does the festival’s role in shaping it. “Chefs from out of town come here and say, ‘I didn’t know this is what Broward County was about,’” Marro says. “It opens their eyes.” Beyond the plates and pairings, the festival has a deeply personal philanthropic component. Since 2019, it has partnered with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, donating a portion of proceeds and supporting the hospital throughout the year. “Our connection is very personal,” Reed says. “Phil was born there. Our daughter received care there. They stepped up for our family.” That sense of responsibility grounds the celebration. “Everything we do, we try to give back,” Reed says. “It matters.” As January 2026 approaches, Reed notes a shift in who is attending. “We’re seeing more people traveling from within Florida,” she says. “Miami, Orlando, even Palm Beach. People are coming here for food now.” Marro smiles at the memory of early skepticism. “We were told it wouldn’t happen,” he says. “They were wrong.” u
Since its launch in 2019, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival has grown in scale and scope, drawing ticket buyers from all 50 states and more than 20 countries. The 2026 festival, scheduled for January 19 through 25, will once again bring Michelin-recognized restaurants, nationally known chefs and Fort Lauderdale favorites together across tastings, dinners, classes and beachside events. For Reed, the Grand Tasting remains the emotional center of the week. “It’s always my favorite,” she says. “From a logistics standpoint, there’s so much happening, but we’re really proud that we now have more restaurants participating in our Grand Tasting than any food and wine festival in the country.” Marro agrees. “That was exactly what I was going to say,” he adds. “It shows how much the restaurants believe in this.” The balance between national talent and local voices is intentional. “When we first started bringing in celebrity chefs, we saw how it helped draw people who might not otherwise come,” Marro says. “They want to meet that chef, but then they’re exposed to the local restaurants. That’s really the goal.” Reed echoes that sentiment. “Our focus has always been to give restaurants a platform to show what they can do,” she says. “If they feel successful, they want to come back. About 95 percent of participants do.” The festival’s events reflect the breadth of the region’s culinary identity, from Asian-inspired nights like Wok ’n Roll to crowd-pleasing favorites such as BBQ at the Beach, along with intimate collaborative dinners and
Vlfoodwine.com
2026 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY
LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES
48
49
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online