Forks & Corks moves to January 2024

It's not too early to get out your 2024 calendars. Local restaurant association Sarasota-Manatee Originals has announced that the annual Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival will be held from Jan. 24-29. Tickets will go on sale in October. 

The popular event, which culminates in the Grand Tasting at the Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard, moved to April in 2020 from its traditional December/January dates.

The last January Forks & Corks was in 2020. The event wasn't held in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic. It moved to April this year, which some festgoers found uncomfortably hot for the outdoor affair.

The shift back to January was due to popular demand, said Marc Grimaud, Sarasota-Manatee Originals board president and Café Gabbiano owner, in a news release. 

Sarasota-Manatee Originals, founded 20 years ago by local restaurateurs, hosted its first Forks & Corks festival in 2008. The event has been growing in popularity ever since.

This year's fest will include University Master Classes on Jan. 27, wine dinners at area restaurants from Jan. 25-28, wine shop tastings from Jan. 25-27 and the Grand Tasting at the Ringling on Jan. 28.

“We are excited to be registering 60-plus owners and winemakers from across the globe to participate in our 2024 events," said Sarasota-Manatee Originals Winery Chair Michael Klauber, co-proprietor of Michael’s On East.

Klauber noted that more than 15 of the world’s most famous wine-producing countries will be represented.

Forks & Corks tickets will be sold in two separate tranches. 

At 9 a.m. Oct. 10, VIP tickets will go on sale for $450 and up each as well as early access tickets for $350 and up each. Both include special perks.

At 7 p.m. Oct. 17, general admission tickets will go on sale for $175 and up each. 

A Sarasota-Manatee Originals release noted that tickets to the Grand Tasting typically sell out in a matter of minutes. 

An online auction will feature rare wines, travel, and unique dining and party experiences. The auction starts at 8 a.m. on Jan. 22 and ends at 3 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Forks & Corks is Sarasota-Manatee Originals' main annual fundraiser. Proceeds help the organization to promote dining in local, independently owned restaurants and to encourage locals and tourists alike to "Eat Like A Local."

For more information about the 2024 Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival, visit EatLikeALocal.com.