Showcasing diverse cuisine from the independent restaurants known as The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, the event will highlight Originals’ restaurant dinners, vintner dinners with renowned winemakers, Forks & Corks University educational seminars and The Grand Tasting celebration. Held on January 31st, 2010 in the picturesque courtyard of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, The Grand Tasting will feature food samples from over 35 member restaurants, wine tastings from up to 75 esteemed wineries from around the globe, live entertainment and a charity auction to benefit a local food bank.



Designed to raise awareness of the positive economic impact of supporting local, independent restaurants and the nutritional importance of eating the freshest ingredients available, Forks & Corks 2009 silent auction raised funds to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee. The event was well attended by over 100 “students” at Forks & Corks University and nearly 1000 food and wine lovers at The Grand Tasting.



Details on the festival’s events, special guests, seminars, wine dinners and charity partners will appear online at www.FreshOriginals.com/forksandcorks. Tickets will be sold online.



The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a not-for-profit organization consisting of 50+ independent-owned restaurants dedicated to preserving the culinary heritage of the Sun Coast. They promise to serve only the freshest food available and aspire to instill the idea of “thinking globally and eating locally” in the minds of the people of the greater The Sarasota-Manatee area and beyond.

DESTINATION

EXPERIENCE