Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, taking place Jan. 19-25, showcases Broward County’s renowned and emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and local food & beverage establishments. Featuring everything from outdoor food tastings and festivals to private collaborative dinners, it is a week of Bacchanalian delight. BBQ on the Beach, Beachside Brunch, and The Grand Tasting are big splashy affairs, but there are quieter moments, too.

Those quieter moments can be savored, along with the delightful food at the collaboration dinners, where chefs from two or more restaurants join forces to create a once-in-a-lifetime tasting menu. The collaborative dinners include: 

• Wan's, Temple Street Eatery, and Kaya, with Chef Alex Kuk, Chef Clarice Lam, Chef Lordfer Lalicon, and Chef Diego Ng on Jan. 21 at Wan’s.
• Ukiah and Macchialina, featuring Chef Michael Lewis and Chef Michael Pirolo on Jan. 20 at Ukiah.
• Familiar faces will be seen at the collaboration between Union Kitchen + Bar with Apt. 9f, featuring Chef Christie Tenaud, Roberto Colombi, and Chef Nathalie Robinson on Jan. 21 at Union Kitchen + Bar.

There will also be many classes and seminars held, led by celebrity chefs, sommeliers, and pastry chefs. Among some of the topics being covered are: 

• Pairing Pizza & Beer with Chef Tom Magaddino on Jan. 20 at Gulf Stream Brewery.
• The Art of Pasta with Chef Jorge Montes, on Jan. 20 at Sistrunk Marketplace.
• Whisk(e)y: The Spirit of Life with Cocktail Uncultured on Jan. 20 at Cocktail Uncultured.
• The Sparkling Wine Experience with Sommelier Roberto Colombi, on Jan. 20 at Union Kitchen + Bar.
• Ice Cream and Ohana with Chef Jimmy Anderson, on Jan. 20 at Sweet Aloha Ice Cream.
• Flavors of Peru with Chef Jorge Montes, on Jan. 21 at Sistrunk Marketplace.
• Master of the Mix: Distillery Tour and Mixology Session with Bootleg Greg, on Jan. 21 at Chainbridge Distillery.
• Allergen-Free Pairings with Sommelier Tal Cohen, Chef Toon, and Chef Maya Izquierdo, Jan. 22 at The Vintage on Harrison.
• Cooking with Bourbon with celebrity chefs Nancy Fuller and Jason Smith, on Jan. 22 at Sistrunk Marketplace.

And then, of course, there are the mega-events: 

• Wok 'n Roll on Jan. 22 is an Asian street food and music experience at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. 
• BBQ at the Beach on Jan. 23 brings together pitmasters from local and nationally renowned BBQ joints. This VIP affair takes place at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park. Enjoy BBQ bites and sips throughout the evening, with live music. Hosted by celebrity Chef Jason Smith.
• The Grand Tasting at Las Olas Oceanside Park on Jan. 24, featuring unlimited food and beverage tastings, and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Eddie Jackson and Richard Blais, solidifies itself as the festival’s signature event. 
• Beachside Brunch on The Lawn at Las Olas Oceanside Park on Jan. 25 is hosted by the beloved Food Network Star Chef Nancy Fuller, known for her warm hospitality and farm-to-table expertise. This exquisite culinary experience allows attendees to indulge in delectable brunch fare expertly prepared by some of the top culinary talent in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

Winding up the event is a free event, Picnic in the Park, on Jan. 25, at noon. The family-centric event includes curated food trucks, cooking demos, live entertainment, local artisan vendors, and adult beverages and takes place at Las Olas Oceanside Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to VLFoodWine.com.