Photo courtesy of Sarasota-Manatee Originals

Celebrating its 13^th year in 2020, Sarasota-Manatee Originals, organizers of Florida’s premier food and wine festival, recently announced details for its Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival this coming January. The multi-day epicurean event attracts foodies and winos from all over the state, to experience the showcase of top notch talents of locally-owned, independent restaurants of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, as well as an esteemed international cast of visiting winery owners and winemakers. “It’s time to get your taste buds ready,” says Sarah Firstenberger, Executive Director of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals. “The 2020 event will once again bring the Who’s-Who of the wine world to our sparkling Gulf Coast as we are assembling a stellar group of wine professionals from across the globe to spotlight alongside our area’s most passionate culinary professionals and restaurateurs.”

The festival is scheduled for January 23-27, and offers a world-class weekend of winemaker dinners, educational cooking classes, interactive wine seminars and wine tastings that culminates with the alfresco Grand Tasting event at the Ringling Museum Courtyard. The Grand Tasting is set to take place on Sunday, January 26, again in the historic courtyard and greenspace of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. Guests will be ablet to explore the grounds and try small dishes presented by over 40 Members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant group, and sample from a collection of more than 350 wines from across the globe—all hand-selected and professionally tasted, then judged and recognized as medal winners. “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 varietals onsite that were showcased during the event,” added Firstenberger.

A limited number of Grand Tasting tickets are available each year and have historically sold out quite quickly. Tickets for the sought-after Grand Tasting, as well as the University Master Classes—three themed seminars, each led by a panel of winemakers and owners—went on sale to the public last night and will be available till the likely sell out.

Photo courtesy of Sarasota-Manatee Originals

All ticket sales will take place online at EatLikeALocal.com