Sarasota-Manatee Originals toastedto its most successful year of Forks & Corks, a multi-day festival of epicurean exploratory events. The John and Mable Ringling Museum courtyard rose to the occasion for the world-class weekend this past May, hosting as the festival grounds for participating vendors and thousands of hungry/thirsty attendees. Foodies and winos came from far and wide to enjoy an international cast of wines, celebrity winemakers and winery owners, as well as the organization’s top independently owned restaurants and culinary innovators in the region. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

Guests swirled, sipped, savored and, at one point, sought shelter from the peppering rain while touring the lineup of tents. But the Grand Tasting prevailed and ponchos were handed out. “While we did experience a rain shower that quickly cleared up,” says Sarah Firstenberger, executive director of Sarasota-Manatee Originals, “our team was fully prepared and, along with the amazing Ringling staff, we decided that when it rains, we pour!”  Quality wines from a collection of more than 350 vintages from around the world were sampled–each hand-selected and professionally tasted, judged and some recognized as medal winners. This year’s “Best in Show wines” declared 2014 Rombauer “Diamond Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Paul Cluver “Estate” Chardonnay as top winners. Mingled in with the imbibing, attendees explored culinary creations from 60 local restaurant members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

Small plate samplings of elevated cuisine from the finest chefs in the region committed to uniting the energies of local ingredients and celebrating food that is indigenous to the Gulf Coast lifestyle. Among the prolific feast on foot, gourmet grab-and-go bites included house-made churros from Mi Pueblo, lobster sliders from Riverhouse Reef & Grill, bacon burnt ends in a sugar cone from Brick’s, paella de pollo from Mattison’s, sushi hand rolls from JPan, ham and gruyere profiteroles from Bijou Cafe, Thai pork tacos with sesame cilantro slaw from enRich Bistro, house-smoked fish spread on hemp crostinis from Beach House, smoked brisket on jalapeño polenta from Grove, seafood gazpacho from Crow’s Nest, Gator cookies from Oasis Cafe & Bakery, Bolognese lasagne from Cafe Gabbiano and grouper cakes from Pier 22. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

“I’m thrilled with the overall success of the 2019 Forks & Corks Grand Tasting,” says Firstenberger. “Our member restaurants truly shined, and the participating wineries showcased an amazing array of wines from around the world. We’re already looking forward to 2020.”