As Palm Beach County’s most prominent food and wine festival, the highly-anticipated 17th annual culinary extravaganza returns to South Florida, promising a remarkable lineup of events, fresh chef talent and venues, tastings, and more.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival (PBFWF), in partnership with Wine Spectator, is set to once again captivate gastronomes and connoisseurs of fine wines and culinary artistry alike. The four-day festival, taking place from Dec. 12-15, 2024, will offer a lineup of experiences that celebrate culinary finesse and prestigious wine craftsmanship. Each event will embrace an unmatched ambiance across some of Palm Beach’s most distinguished venues.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
Festival attendees can look forward to an exclusive lineup of renowned chefs, immersive cooking demonstrations, elegant wine tastings, and intimate chef-led workshops. Under Wine Spectator’s influence, the festival’s wine program has been elevated, with over 100 elite wineries—each showcasing wines rated 90+ by Wine Spectator—making a grand appearance at the closing event, the Grand Tasting. This showcase of wines, a significant increase from previous years, speaks to the event’s dedication to excellence in enology and culinary pairing.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
The program begins on Thursday, Dec. 12, with a series of sit-down dinners held at exclusive locations across Palm Beach. Highlights include “The First Bite,” a four-course experience featuring celebrated chefs Clay Conley and Andrew Carmellini, among others, and “Beef N Bourbon,” hosted by Ralph Lewis at Okeechobee Prime with guest chef Robert Irvine, where each ticket contributes $100 to the Robert Irvine Foundation. Other events include a culturally infused five-course dinner at “Spice” with chefs like Stephanie Izard and Jose Garces and “Dinner at Florie’s” at the Four Seasons Resort, where acclaimed chef Mauro Colagreco presents his multicultural, live-fire cooking approach that has garnered his concepts Michelin stars and global recognition.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
Friday’s schedule brings three exquisite lunch experiences, including “Lunch with Friends” at Meat Market, hosted by chef Sean Brasel and joined by chefs Ashley Christensen and Ayesha Nurdjaja. A distinctive “Sunset & Swirls” event at Eau Palm Beach invites guests to a curated exploration of Spanish wines with views to match, while “Shabbat Dinner” at Michael Hackman’s restaurant welcomes distinguished chefs like Michelle Bernstein and Duff Goldman. The evening crescendos with a vibrant Festival Kickoff Party at The Boca Raton Resort and “An Evening at The Breakers,” featuring the signature culinary delights and Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning selections by chef Anthony Sicignano and Master Sommelier Virginia Philip.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
Saturday brings an extensive lineup of tastings, workshops, and family-friendly cooking sessions. Notably, “Kids Kitchen” invites young chefs to explore culinary arts with renowned chefs Maneet Chauhan and Stephanie Izard. Later, “Chillin’ N’ Grillin’” at Eau Palm Beach and the new “A Night at The Ben” present guests with walk-around tastings of curated dishes and premium wines from around the world, with select appearances from culinary figures like Sarah Grueneberg, Ashley Christensen, and David Burke.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
The festival finale on Sunday, Dec. 15, will begin with two notable brunch experiences, including the debut “Brunch at Ravish,” hosted by chef Johnny DeMartini alongside Miami favorites Brad Kilgore and Daniel Serfer. As the day progresses, the Grand Tasting will unfold at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, offering guests a culinary haven complete with exquisite food samplings, over 100 wines rated 90+, and the Grand chef Throwdown. Judged by Maneet Chauhan and Robert Irvine, this competitive showcase will culminate the weekend with an award presentation for a charitable contribution to a local charity.
Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
This year’s Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival highlights extraordinary chefs and wines and elevates its commitment to an unforgettable, sophisticated experience that resonates with both seasoned epicureans and first-time guests alike. Tickets are now available for purchase here, providing access to a schedule that promises carefully curated experiences while also supporting a remarkable cause—the Els for Autism Foundation.
Photography by: Photo courtesy of Michael Pisarri; courtesy of Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
