It was 20 years ago that the Sarasota-Manatee Originals was founded: a collaborative of independently owned and operated restaurants and culinary innovators committed to celebrating the food and friendship that’s indigenous to our Gulfcoast lifestyle. Today The Originals are over 60 restaurants strong and provide diners with unique local flavor from the north shore of Anna Maria Island down to the southern beaches of Venice and every neighborhood in between. We urge the community to support our local independent restaurants and to always “Eat Like A Local.”
In 2008, Forks & Corks was designed as a fun and engaging showcase of the enormous talents of our area’s locally-owned restaurants, highlighted by an esteemed cast of visiting winery owners and winemakers from literally all over the world. It is considered one of the area’s biggest social celebrations of the year.
Now in its 17th season, the multi-day Forks & Corks epicurean event is well established as the area’s premier food and wine festival and tickets will sell out fast.
We hope to see you here!
The Celebration will include:
MONDAY, JAN 22 - SUNDAY JAN 28
Forks & Corks Online Food and Wine Auction
A high-end collection of lots featuring rare and exquisite wines, travel, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences made possible by generous donations from friends of Sarasota-Manatee Originals.
THURSDAY, JAN 25 - SATURDAY, JAN 27
Forks & Corks Wine Dinners
Wine and food pairing dinners thoughtfully presented by our Member Restaurants in creative collaboration with our visiting Winemakers
FRIDAY, JAN 26 & SATURDAY, JAN 27
Forks & Corks Retail Tastings
Sip and shop while mingling with visiting Winemakers and Winery Principals at some of our area’s favorite wine stores.
SATURDAY, JAN 27
University Master Classes
A highlight of the Festival each year! Led by a panel of worldrenowned industry experts, these engaging wine seminars are designed for those who want an educational experience accompanied by guided tastings. The classes present a rare opportunity to learn about wine from those instrumental in crafting them
SUNDAY, JAN 28
The Grand Tasting
Oenophiles and foodies converge in one of the most spectacular outdoor venues in Sarasota: the courtyard of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. With showcased food specialties from more than 40 local restaurants and a collection of more than 300 unique wines from across the globe, live entertainment, photobooths, a beer garden and wine shop to purchase your favorite vintage. Food, wine and fun are the focused activities for the day
MONDAY, JAN 29
The Trade Tasting (Invitation Only)
An exclusive opportunity for Hospitality Industry Professionals to sample the selection of wines from the 60+ distinguished visiting wineries
Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival is hosted by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals and is our organization’s primary annual fundraiser, bringing critical marketing dollars to promote dining in local, independently-owned restaurants and encouraging locals and visitors to our area to always “Eat Like A Local.”
