Grand Tasting to Highlight Key Largo and Islamorada ‘Uncorked’ Festival, Now Through Jan. 14

Florida Keys — Wine and food lovers can stimulate their taste buds at the annual “Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food and Wine Festival,” an 11-day culinary and cocktail extravaganza, happening now through Sunday, Jan. 14.

Attendees can discover the flavors of these two Upper Keys regions during the food, wine and spirits celebration that boasts scores of tantalizing events at venues from mile marker (MM) 107.9 to 80.

Highlights are to include complimentary wine, beer and spirits tastings; a new “Bayside Street Party” with local artists, food, beer and libations; the back-by-popular-demand “Dine Around Town” multicourse dining experience; a grape stomping contest; Key Largo Fisheries’ “Lobsterfest”; and much more.

Friday, Jan. 12, Miami chefs Phil Bryant and Veronica Valdivia from The Local Craft Food and Drink in Coral Gables, along with Michael Bertram of Coconut Grove’s Ariete, are to highlight a “Pop-Up-Miami” gourmet dinner.

The festival’s largest event, the “Grand Tasting,” is set for Saturday, Jan. 13, from noon to 4 p.m., spanning the outdoor lawns and inside the Keys History & Discovery Center beside the Atlantic Ocean at Islander Resort, located at MM 82. Attendees can sample signature dishes from numerous area restaurants complemented by an impressive selection of wines. Live music, cooking and mixology demonstrations and cocktail tastings round out the afternoon.

The Grand Tasting’s general admission tickets are $65, plus tax, per person in advance and $75 at the gate. VIP tickets are available for $90, plus tax, which allow early entry at 11 a.m. to enjoy a VIP hour until noon. The VIP package includes a souvenir T-shirt, tasting glass and gift bag with a cookbook featuring Keys chefs’ recipes.

Multiple Sunday brunches also are planned as part of Uncorked’s culinary festivities.

Event information: floridakeysuncorked.com

Key Largo visitor information: fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088

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