Get Ready for December’s Hottest Culinary Celebration: The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival!

For the 18th consecutive year, Palm Beach embraced a vibrant array of top chefs and exquisite wines, welcoming guests to enjoy a weekend of culinary delights at the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival (PBFWF) from December 11 to 14. Sponsored by Wine Spectator, this festival featured over 20 signature events across Palm Beach County’s finest hotels, restaurants, and golf courses, solidifying its reputation as one of America’s premier culinary festivals.

A Variety of Events

The festival offered a range of activities, from intimate chef dinners to lively tasting parties. The official opening night showcased multiple simultaneous events: the poolside Festival Kick-Off Party at The Belgrove Hotel, the Chef Welcome Party at SeaHawk Prime by David Burke, and the exquisite six-course Founder’s Dinner at Wine Spectator Grand Award winner Marcello’s La Sirena.

In a special collaboration, chef Marcello Fiorentino partnered with Lindsay Autry, who co-founded the festival in 2007. Guests enjoyed a delightful culinary experience featuring regional and southern-inspired courses paired with fine wines from the Terlato portfolio.

Grand Tasting Highlights

The festival peaked with the Grand Tasting, attracting more than 2,500 attendees who indulged in dishes from over 50 of South Florida’s top restaurants. Wine and food pairings were abundant, with 125 wineries presenting wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator. Notably, winemaker Greg Brewer impressed attendees with his 2024 Diatom Chardonnay, rated at 93 points.

First-time presenter chef Matteo Carboni showcased crispy octopus dish paired excellently with Champagne Gosset Brut Grande Réserve. Meanwhile, chef David Burke delighted guests with his creative dishes.

Among the highlights was Château Giscours Margaux 2018, which received acclaim as Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year for 2025. The excitement of the event was felt as attendees mingled with renowned chefs and winemakers.

Supporting a Worthy Cause

Co-founder David Sabin emphasized the festival’s commitment to philanthropy. A portion of ticket sales benefited the Els for Autism Foundation, supporting the development of educational resources for individuals with autism. During the event, it was announced that the festival had raised $125,000 for this cause.

The competitive spirit was alive during the Grand Chef Throwdown, where chef Glenn Rogers Jr. took home the title and a $10,000 reward for his chosen charity, the Community Classroom Project.

The 19th annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival is set for December 10-13, 2026, promising more extraordinary culinary experiences and celebrations.

For more information about the festival, visit the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!