By Rachel Galvin
The Museum of Discovery & Science was abuzz with activity March 8 as they held their 27th Annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration. Those who loved all things food and drink relished this night to sip more than 50 different wines, beers and other spirits and sink their teeth into some tasty tidbits provided by more than 30 of the area’s top restaurants. Guests could try unique items like a sweet potato topped with chicken salad and toasted marshmallow or a crepe with nutella, or a dumpling filled with pepperoni, or grab a philly cheesesteak or some sushi or a tuna taquito, to name a few choices. Brewlihan had mead available. There were also whiskey drinks, margaritas, palomas, wine and more. There was more than enough to choose from.
Participating was the American Fine Wine Competition, Arc Culinary, Boatyard, Fresh Kitchen, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, Hellenic Republic, JC Beans Café, JDCH, L & E Fine Cooking, La Mexicana Taco Bar, Original Fat Cats, Pubbelly Sushi, Red Chair Catering, S3, Seasons 52, Tarpon River Brewing, Tasteful Thoughts, Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Another Fare to Remember, CrepeMaker, Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, John Knox Village, Nikki’s Foods, Ann Marie’s Pizza and Wine, Baoshi Food Hall + Bar, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ten Palms Restaurant at Gulfstream Park, Zona Fresca and more. The craft beer sponsor was Gold Coast Beverage and the excusive beverage sponsor was Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.
Guests could vote on their favorite food and drinks. The top winner for culinary was Another Fare to Remember. Second place was a tie between S3 and Original Fat Cats. For drinks, first place was Fifth Generation. Second place was Copper-Cane Wines and Provisions and third place was Rock N Roll Tequila.
People could also peruse the long line of silent auction items, including entertainment packages, memorabilia and more. The top prize, however, was winning the raffle and getting up to a two-year pre-paid lease on a Lexus NX350. Only 500 tickets were available.
Those who were VIP could come in an hour early and hang out in the VIP lounge. The party was both downstairs and upstairs and people had access to the museum, where they could create photo opps in a boat, submarine, planes, with dinosaurs and more. Outside in the courtyard, the after party continued with people dancing to DJ’d beats.
Major event sponsors were Bank of America (Presenting Sponsor); Doubletime Digital (Exclusive Print Sponsor); Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Exclusive Beverage Sponsor); JM Lexus (Grand Arrival Sponsor); Gold Coast Beverage (Beer Sponsor); John Knox Village (Platinum Lounge Sponsor); Centuric (VIP Wristbands Sponsor); JetBlue (Entertainment Sponsor), BankUnited (Auction Sponsor); M. Austin & Christine Forman and R2 Squared (Valet Sponsors); Berkowitz Pollack Brant; Blue Compass; CTS Engines; FPL; Greenberg Traurig; Gunster; JM Family Enterprises; Joe Cox & Jeremy Collette; Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Northern Trust; Stiles; Truist; UKG and WSVN Channel 7 (Platinum Sponsors); 5/3 Bank, Andrew Migliorini; Broward Health; Debra Hixon; Grant Thornton; Gray Robinson; Greenspoon Marder; Kari Sutter; Lochrie & Chakas, P.A.; M & T Bank; Michael Kimmey; PNC Bank and Truly Nolen (Grand Tasting Hosts).
If you missed this year, there is always next year. In the meantime, take your whole family to check out the museum or catch a film at IMAX all year long. The Museum of Discovery & Science is located at 401 SW 2nd St. in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information, visit www.mods.org.