Culinary stars, top chefs rock local food fests celebrating garlic, bacon, bourbon, more
Calling all foodies! With the South Florida fall/winter/spring season fully kicking into gear, it's nice to get outside (or inside) and enjoy some of the many food festivals the area has to offer. From the Feast of Little Italy in the North, Bacon & Bourbon Fest in the West or Palm Beach Food and Wine throughout the county, there's plenty of world-class foods to sample.
So if you've got a palate that shuns the ordinary, wants to explore, run wild and be free — then set it free, let go of the reins and explore one, two or all of these four incredible events this season in Palm Beach County.
Feast of Little Italy
This three-day celebration of Italian heritage, culture and music will be held at Abacoa Town Center and will feature national entertainment, authentic Italian food, festival rides, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, great shopping and more. With WRMF's KVJ Morning Show host Virginia Sinicki presiding as Mistress of Ceremonies, there will performances by Maria DeCrescenzo, Studio 54, Angelo Venuto, the Bon Jovi tribute band Livin On A Prayer, and many more.
What: Feast of Little Italy
Where: Abacoa Town Center, 1267 Main St., Jupiter
When: 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Cost: free
Information:feastoflittleitaly.co
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The 15th Annual Dining in the Dark
Presented by Florida Outreach Center for the Blind, this will feature a decadent three-course meal served in a darkened ballroom. It will be served by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office SWAT team members, wearing night vision goggles. There will also be music, inspiring speakers, a silent auction and a cash bar. The event raises awareness for all and funding for educating blind and visually impaired individuals in the community.
What: 15th Annual Dining in the Dark
Where: West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
Cost: $125 per person, $1,000 for a table of 10
Information: 561-642-0005; floridaoutreachcenter.org
Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival, various locations
Once again featuring pretty much the who's who of culinary rock stars (including plenty of locals), this year's festival will span the course of four days. Among them will be Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine, Daniel Boulud, Lindsay Autry, Clay Conley, Tim Lipman and many, many more. More than two dozen events will be held at different restaurants including Okeechobee Prime Event Hall, Buccan, Oceano Kitchen, The Breakers, Coolinary, Aioli and more.
What: Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival
Where: various locations throughout Palm Beach County
When: Thursday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 10
Cost: see website for ticket information
Information:pbfoodwinefest.com
South Florida Garlic Fest, Wellington
In addition to honoring those perfectly pungent bulbs, this year marks the event's 25th anniversary. Once again it will feature pretty much every dish that could possibly include garlic and several you never thought possible. This two-day party will also have multiple music acts including Ryan Montgomery, the Fabulous Fleetwoods, the Bon Jovi tribute group Shot Through the Heart Band, Dirty Work, Mike Garulli, The Dave Matthews Tribute Band and the incredible, hard rocking group The Resilient, made up of mostly combat-wounded veterans. There will also be rides, drinks, craft vendors and much more.
What: South Florida Garlic Fest
Where: Village of Wellington Town Center & Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
Cost: $15, children under 10 free; Sunday free admission for active or retired military personnel and veterans
Information:garlicfestfl.com
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Wellington Bacon & Bourbon Festival
There are certain universal truths. One of these is that bacon is good, the other is that bourbon is good. There are probably more universal truths out there, but after bacon and bourbon who can concentrate?
Welcome to the event dedicated to the love and consumption of these taste-bud essentials where attendees can enjoy bacon-infused culinary delights and have the opportunity to sample from a selection of more that 30 bourbons. There will also be pairing seminars, seminars with distillers on the art of distillation and more.
In addition to that cured, smoked, fried delicacy (that has been breaking vegetarians' will since time began) and the magical elixir known as bourbon, this party will feature one great musical act after another. On Saturday Taylor Road will take the stage first, followed by Eric Hansen, Tim Charron and then Stryder. On Sunday, it will be Sarah Hadeka and then another shot of Taylor Road.
What: The 10th annual Bacon & Bourbon Festival
Where: Village of Wellington Promenade, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 24
Cost: Free
Information:baconbourbonfest.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County food fests celebrate bacon, bourbon, garlic and more
