Food and Dining 6th Annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival Tickets Now On Sale

SARASOTA -- Tickets go on sale November 12, 2012, for the much anticipated sixth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival, January 25-28, 2013. Presented by The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, the four-day culinary festival features the anchor event, the Grand Tasting (January 27), in the courtyard of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Forks & Corks University's food and wine and seminars (January 26) in Michael’s Wine Cellar and Ballroom; and various winemaker events at area restaurants (January 25, 26).

Tickets for the Grand Tasting and Forks & Corks University can only be purchased online. The Grand Tasting tickets are $85 (plus service charge) for general admission; $150 (plus service charge) for VIP admission. Tickets include free admission to the museum’s art galleries on the day of the event. Forks & Corks University tickets are $125 (plus service charge) for the full-day session; $75 (plus service charge) for the half-day session. A four-course gourmet lunch prepared by top Originals member restaurants is included with Forks & Corks University ticket price. For information and tickets, visit www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks.

photo of 2012 Grand Tasting by Brian David Braun

"As Southwest Florida's premier wine and food festival, Forks & Corks is attracting people from around the country," says Kate Atkin, executive director of SMO. "We recommend that people buy their tickets early because we sold out a week after tickets went on sale last year. We predict we'll sell even faster this year—in the first three days. So, buy your tickets as soon as you can. They make great holiday gifts!"

The Grand Tasting features signature dishes from the area’s top chefs, along with a vast array of wines and beers presented by guest vintners and breweries. “More than 100 wineries—and about 75 individual winemakers—are participating this year," says Michael Klauber, chair of the event. "We're thrilled with the response from the international and national winemaking industry. This has become a major showcase event for them."

Klauber says that this year's winemakers hail from France, Italy, Spain, South America, South Africa, New Zealand, California, Oregon and Washington. “The great news is that guests will be able to purchase their favorite wines after sampling them at the Grand Tasting. We set up a special retail tent and have the wine loaded in their cars to take with them that day. Many of the wines available at the Grand Tasting aren’t available readily for purchase, so we always suggest that people buy that day," he says.

This year’s Grand Tasting charitable partner is The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Tickets for Forks & Corks winemaker events will be available at the individual participating restaurants. For a complete listing of special events, and for more information about the sixth annual Forks & Corks food and wine festival, visit www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks or call 941-955-3663.