A Month of Fabulous Food and Wine Events

May is packed full of delicious dining events. So now’s the time to hang out with your favorite chefs, stuff yourself silly with the most amazing flavors and live the luxurious life. How many will you be attending?

Tuna Salad at Tonino Lamborghini

May 5th is the perfect day to kick things off this month with spicy Mexican flavors, live Mariachi bands and frozen margaritas. We have a great list of what’s taking place all over South Florida.

A Tasteful Affair takes place on May 6, 2010 at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale. This food and wine fundraiser brings together 10 of the area’s top restaurants, with complementing wine and spirits from Premier. The event includes a roof top champagne and sparkling wine reception, followed by unlimited food and wine. Proceeds will go to benefit the United Way of Broward County, and tickets cost $60 for general admission (in advance), $75 at the door and $100 for VIP. To purchase tickets, contact Dianne Maddalena at 954.462.4850 ext. 119 or visit United Way Broward online.

Move up the coast to Jupiter Beach for the inaugural Jupiter Beach Wine & Food Festival on May 8, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. taking place on the Intracoastal Waterway. All are welcome to attend and indulge on gourmet bites from the talented local chefs from Cafe Boulud, Leftovers, Rockstar Catering, Buonasera and more. Guests will also imbibe on samples from Southern Wine & Spirits. Tickets are extremely reasonable, and priced at just $25.00 a ticket, $10.00 for children 12 and under and free for your furry pets. The event will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. rain or shine.

Taste of the Nation Fort Lauderdale comes to The Fort Lauderdale Convention Center on May 13, 2010. This year’s event is  chaired by Chef James Dean Maxx from 3030, and Celebrity Chefs Ingrid Hoffman and Ralph Pagini will also be making an appearance. This event raises money for Share Our Strength, and features many of the area’s newest restaurants (like Tonino Lamborghini, Taste in Delray and III Forks in Gulfstream) combined with some mainstays. Tickets start at $90. The Fort Lauderdale Convention Center is located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. Buy your tickets. You can save 10% by entering code: WEBFTL at check-out.

The annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival returns on Saturday, May 15 to benefit the American Lung Association. This street festival combines preview party on May 6, a Bonterra VIP reception on the 15th, followed by the street festival and a spectacular after party at Riverside Hotel. Participating restaurants include Steak 954, 3030 Ocean, Valentino’s, Tonino Lamborghini, Morton’s and more. Premier will be the alcohol sponsor, and will provide both wine and spirit tastings.  Tickets are $25 to the preview party, $75 for the street festival, $225 for the VIP reception and it is free to attend the after party. Tickets to all of the associated events can be purchased online, and proceeds benefit the American Lung Association.

Have you always wondered where you can get fresh, local ingredients? Join Slow Food Glades to Coast for a Slow Sunday Supper highlighting the best ingredients from the local community. This event will help raise money for the Slow Food Glades to Coast Convivum. This sumptuous family-style menu features freshly pulled mozzarella; Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey Vinaigrette; Cioppino of Floridian Bounty Fregola; and more. Cost is $59 (all-inclusive), and reservations can be made my calling 954-226-5002. da Campo Osteria by Todd English is located at the Il Lugano Hotel, 3333 Northeast 32nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

Photo from personal collections.

A group of Miami’s top chefs will join forces on Sunday, May 16 to raise funds for Temple Israel’s community projects. Cooking with the Stars, a 5-course wine pairing dinner will take place at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, 137 NE 19 Street in Miami, with the VIP reception starting at 5:00 p.m. It will be prepared by your favorite chefs including Michelle Bernstein, Allen Susser, Dewey LaSosso, Sean Brasel and more. Tickets are $180, or $250 if you’d like to go to the VIP reception. Purchase your tickets online.

It’s back up to West Palm Beach on May 17, 2010, for the 11th Annual Culinary Creations event to benefit Quantum House.  Guests will enjoy 4 round robin-style courses beginning with a champagne reception from the area’s greatest chefs and restaurants including Riverhouse, the Sailfish Club of Florida, Top of the Point, the Breakers and Café L’ Europe with 100% of the proceed benefiting the charity. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with the reception and dinner begins at 7:30 p.m., and will take place at The Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $125/person or $1000 per table of 10, and can be purchased either online or by calling 561- 494-0515