The inaugural Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival, June 5 to 8, promises to serve up a grand finale for this year's Savor Sarasota. This epicurean event by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, Forks & Corks will feature wine and food tastings, as well as seminars and food demonstrations.

"What makes us different from

More than 30 area restaurants, including the Colony, are participating in this year's Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.

other festivals in the area is that we are focusing on the educational component," says Alicia Allen, membership liaison for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a group of more than 50 independently owned area restaurants.

The Forks & Corks festivities kick off on Thursday evening at 6:30 with Winemakers Dinners at Originals member restaurants, including Harry's Continental Kitchens, Roessler's and Sun House. Each restaurant will match its cuisine with wine from international vintners who will be on hand to answer questions.

Friday night is Bubbles by the Bay at The Ringling Museum's Ca d'Zan. Starting at 9 p.m., the event will feature Moët and Hennessy champagnes, as well as dancing and a silent auction to benefit Meals on Wheels. Tickets are $75.

Take a gastronomical tour of Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants on Friday and Saturday evenings, as part of Savor Sarasota week. Restaurants will feature $25 prix-fixe menus from 6 to 9 p.m. And visiting winemakers will tempt the most discriminating oenophiles.

Allen says that Saturday's Forks & Corks University is the educational highlight of the event. With seminars in fine wine, cheese, olive oil, chocolate and more, the sessions at the University of South Florida are designed to take foodies on a scholarly journey. Lunch is hosted by Originals member restaurants, including Michael's on East, the Sarasota Olive Oil Co. and Harry's Continental Kitchens, and spotlights local farmers and winemakers. Admission to Forks & Corks University is $175 for two seminars and a lavish lunch; the seminars take place from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Grand Tasting caps off the Forks & Corks festival on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. in the Ringling Courtyard. With five 30-minute cooking demonstrations, individual food and wine stations and entertainment, the tasting will be a relaxed, family-friendly way to finish Forks & Corks, as well as Savor Sarasota. "Sunday will give people a chance to sample all of our wonderful restaurants in Manatee and Sarasota," Allen notes. "It's going to be a phenomenal world-class event." A portion of the proceeds benefit the Ringling Museum of Art's children's programs. Tickets are $35.

Additional details about participating restaurants, celebrity chefs and winemakers as well as information about VIP ticket packages are available at www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks/.