Over a thousand guests raised their forks and popped corks as they reveled in the Sun Coast's premier food and wine festival - Forks & Corks.
In June 2008, the first annual Sarasota-Manatee Originals Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival showcased deliciously diverse cuisine from the independent restaurants known as The Sarasota-Manatee Originals. This inaugural epicurean event was set amidst event partner the University of South Florida, and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - featuring the spectacular Ca d'Zan historic mansion and magnificent courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
All in all, Forks & Corks world-class weekend of food & wine was a smashing success! Participants were invited to dine, drink and delight at vintner dinners, a late night soiree, interactive seminars and The Grand Tasting with over 80 visiting wineries, food demonstrations, scrumptious samples and live entertainment. Over $4,000 was raised at a silent charity auction benefitting Meals On Wheels in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art also benefited from all events held on museum grounds.
The celebration was the finale of a week of restaurant festivities during The Sarasota Visitors and Convention Bureau's Savor Sarasota Week. The week long destination event brought food and wine lovers to Sarasota to imbibe in the best of the region's restaurants.
Take a look at last year's Forks & Corks celebration photo gallery!