wcw SEPT 2023

feature
The 2024 Forks &
Corks Food and
Wine Festival is back
The five-day epicurean event now runs Jan. 25-28
The 2024 Forks & Corks
Food and Wine Festival,
hosted by the Sarasota-Manatee
Originals,
will take place January
25-29. Grand Tasting tickets
go on sale in October.
A full five-day slate of food-andwine
themed fun is planned, including
the always-popular University Master
Classes (January 27), a bountiful selection
of wine dinners at area restaurants (January
25-28), oodles of wine shop tasting events
(January 25-27), a trade tasting (January 29)
and the much-anticipated Grand Tasting at
The Ringling Museum of Art (January 28).
“We are thrilled to announce that due to
survey responses, guest comments and popular
demand, Forks and Corks Food & Wine
Festival is moving to January in 2024,” said
Sarasota-Manatee Originals Board President
and Café Gabbiano Owner Marc Grimaud.
“This year will mark the 17th anniversary of
Forks & Corks, which has become one of the
top food and wine events in the Southeastern
United States.”
“We are excited to be registering 60+ owners
and winemakers from across the globe to
participate in our 2024 events. Over fifteen
of the world’s most famous wine producing
countries will be represented at the event,
along with delicious tastings from the Gulf
Coast’s Sarasota-Manatee Originals Members,”
said Sarasota-Manatee Originals Winery
Chair and Co-Proprietor of Michael’s On
East - Michael Klauber.
Forks & Corks’ most sought-after event
is the Grand Tasting which will take place
on Sunday in the historic courtyard of The
Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. Guests
will savor delicious dishes presented by over
50 Members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals,
while sampling from a collection of
more than 300 unique wines from around the
world. There will be live, local musical entertainment,
and a wine shop is also available,
where patrons can purchase the various
wines, making Forks & Corks one of only a
few festivals in the Southeast to provide the
opportunity to purchase their favorite wines
onsite during the event.
Due to the unprecedented demand for
tickets, ticket sales for The Grand Tasting
launch on two consecutive Tuesdays:
On October 10 at 9 a.m. there is a pre-sale
of the VIP and Early Access tickets
• VIP ticket holders ($450+ each) receive
a variety of perks including a $150 wine
voucher for the onsite wine shop and
complimentary valet parking, as well as
entry into the Forks & Corks VIP Tent
presented by The Scout Guide Sarasota
with covered seating, and exclusive VIP
tastings and engaging demonstrations
• Early Access tickets ($350+ each) include
a $50 wine voucher
• Both VIP and Early Access Ticket
holders will enjoy expedited early access
to the Forks & Corks wine shop with a
Champagne Reception as well as early
event entrance into the Grand Tasting in
the Ringling Courtyard
On October 17 at 7 p.m. General Admission
tickets ($175+ each) will be available and
historically have sold out in a matter of minutes.
All Forks & Corks Grand Tasting tickets
will be available online only. For more
information, visit www.eatlikealocal.com
The Online Food and Wine Auction will
include a collection of lots featuring rare and
exquisite wines, travel, and one-of-a-kind dining
and party experiences. The Auction opens
for bidding on Monday, January 22 at 8am and
ending on Sunday, January 28 at 3pm.
About Sarasota-Manatee Originals
The Sarasota-Manatee Originals (SMO)
is a community collaborative
of over 60 independently
owned and operated restaurants
in the Sarasota and
Manatee Counties on the
central Gulf Coast of Florida.
Their mission is to promote
the community's local,
unique, independent dining
establishments. SMO supports our Member
Restaurants who help define the Suncoast,
give it character and make it a memorable
region to visit and live. SMO urges the community
to support our local independent
restaurants here and across the country and
we encourage the general public to always
“Eat Like A Local.”
SEPTEMBER 2023 WEST COAST WOMAN 13