Festival Lineup Expands with New Italian Event The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival (VLFWF) returns January 18–24, 2027, for its eighth annual celebration, introducing a new signature event and welcoming nationally recognized culinary talent to South Florida. International chef Marcus Samuelsson headlines this year's lineup, joined by first-time festival guests Bobby Hicks and Hannah Flora, alongside returning participants Jason Smith, Nancy Fuller and Eddie Jackson. The festival will feature unlimited tastings from South Florida restaurants, wine and spirits pairings, live cooking demonstrations and interactive culinary experiences across beachfront and waterfront venues.
The Feast Debuts as New Signature Event Thursday's debut event, The Feast: An Evening of Italian Culture & Flavor, will be hosted by Rino Cerbone, owner of Heritage restaurant. Set at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, the event runs 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m. and features unlimited chef tastings, handcrafted cocktails, curated wines and live entertainment. Introductory pricing of $85 is available through September 8; regular price is $150 (plus tax and fees). According to Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, "People have been discovering that Greater Fort Lauderdale has so much more to offer beyond our beaches, and our culinary scene is a big part of that story. The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival puts Broward County's restaurants, chefs and neighborhoods on a national stage while giving visitors another reason to experience our destination."
Weekly Events and Pricing Friday brings BBQ at the Beach, hosted by Food Network star Jason Smith, featuring barbecue and smoked specialties from national chefs and pitmasters paired with cocktails, craft beer and live entertainment (7 p.m.–9:30 p.m., $85 introductory / $150 regular). Saturday's Grand Tasting at Las Olas Oceanside Park marks the festival's marquee event, offering General Admission (1 p.m.–4 p.m., $90 introductory / $180 regular) and VIP access (noon–4 p.m., $175 introductory / $350 regular). VIP includes the Delta VIP Lounge with exclusive food and beverage tastings and early access. Sunday features two contrasting experiences: Beachside Brunch hosted by Nancy Fuller with Eddie Jackson (1 p.m.–3:30 p.m., $85 introductory / $150 regular), and the free, family-friendly Picnic in the Park presented by Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (noon–4 p.m.), which includes local vendors, culinary demonstrations and a kids' zone. Introductory pricing for all events expires September 8. Festival organizers plan to announce additional chef dinners and programming this fall. Kate Reed, co-founder of VLFWF, noted: "Nine years ago, we envisioned a festival that would showcase the incredible culinary talent found right here in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Today, we're proud to welcome nationally recognized chefs while continuing to celebrate the restaurants, chefs and hospitality professionals that have helped make this festival what it is. As we continue to grow, our commitment remains the same: creating unforgettable culinary experiences, supporting our local hospitality community and giving back to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital."
Why It Matters
For operators and destination marketers, VLFWF represents a growing model for regional culinary events that blend celebrity talent with local restaurant partnerships. The festival's expansion to include themed signature events like The Feast signals how food-tourism events are segmenting experiences to drive higher per-ticket spend while supporting hospital charities—a structure worth monitoring as similar markets scale their own festivals.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
