Florida Winefest & Auction holds Banquet on the Block

Florida Winefest & Auction supporters gathered at what organizers call “the longest table in Sarasota” for Banquet on the Block on April 6 across from Mattison’s City Grille and Salute! Ristorante - Enoteca.

The table — which stretched a whole city block of Lemon Avenue between 1st Avenue to the north and Main Street to the south — sat 200 guests for one of the most renowned culinary experiences in Sarasota.

This year’s participating chefs were Chef Laszlo Bevardi (Salute), Chef Chris Covelli (Founder of Culinary Creations & Entertainment), Pastry Chef Mara Cristiani (Owner of Center Ring Cakes), Executive Chef Alex Vasquez (Mattison’s Forty-One) and Chef Sam Ray (Tsunami).