One of Bradenton-Sarasota’s biggest food events is back in 2023 after a 2-year hiatus
One of the Bradenton and Sarasota area’s most popular food and drink events is back in 2023 after a two-year break.
At the Forks and Corks Grand Tasting, guests get to try food from over 40 local restaurants and sample among over 350 award-winning international wines.
The culinary bash is slated for April 23 in the courtyard of The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. It also includes live music and a market of featured wines for sale.
The event is a fundraiser for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a coalition of more than 60 local and independent restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Just how coveted are tickets? General admission usually sells out within minutes.
Regular admission tickets are $175 a pop this year and will go on sale at 7 p.m. January 19. Early access tickets ($350) and VIP tickets ($450) will go on sale at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Grand Tasting is part of the larger Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival, a five-day event that showcases special menus and wine dinners at local restaurants.
Other festival events include educational (and tasty) wine seminars and an online food and wine auction.
COVID-19 travel and supply issues caused organizers to nix The Grand Tasting from the festival’s lineup in 2021 and 2022, but they now promise a sweet and savory return.
- Details: Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival is April 20-24; The Grand Tasting will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 23 at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. $175-$450.
- Info: eatlikealocal.com/forksandcorks/the-grand-tasting
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 5:53 PM.