The Sarasota-Manatee Original's food and wine Grand Tasting event was hosted Jan 26 at The Ringling Museum.
By
Harry Sayer
| 7:31 p.m. January 26, 2020
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Sarasota's fine food and wine enthusiasts made a day of it at the annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting event Jan. 26 at The Ringling.
As opposed to last year's event — which had to be rescheduled due to heavy rain and still couldn't escape intermittent showers throughout the afternoon — the 2020 festival had clear skies and enjoyable weather. More than 1800 guests took advantage of the situation and tried out bite-sized dishes and various wines at more than 100 food and drink stations. The Grand Tasting is the signature event of a multi-day program put on by Sarasota-Manatee Originals.
Lexie Rossi, Nicole Lynn, Karen Moore and Caitlin Buchanan
More than 1,800 people attended the Grand Tasting.
Cheryl and Bill Herlihy
Michael Pleas, Zach Dauth, Jenna DiLorenzo, Vice President Nikki Logan-Curran, Sharon Carole, David Warren Curran, George Bikos and Coral Pleas
Toffer Jacob, Jessica Ruekberg and Horacio Egan
Terri and Michael Klauber
Executive Director Sarah Firstenberger
Clarice Dokko and Noriko Beardow
Scott Middleton, Dan Barr and Gordon Hunter
Mike and Kay Marshall with Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth
Sandy and Mike Thirion
Kristi Sorenson, Winn Miller and Ashley McElroy
Alyssa Simons and Nicole Christie
Darren and Christy Brucksieker with Kerri and Dave Meyer
Marielle Klein and Rina Chan
Lauren Glassman and Kathy Yu
Martina Reisky and Jill McMullen
Rick Shere with Amanda and Eric Peters
Marci Toomey and Stephanie Soffer
Mark and Denise Bette with Diana and Frank Wendt
Michael Smith, John Cloud, Sue King, Brandon Cloud, Courtney Smith, Lauren Garcia, Clay Smith and Kaylee Smith
Vern and Liliana Chalfant with David and Lynn Leach and Walter Sebring, Susan Travers, Jim Travers and Lauren Wulff
Katie LaCamera with Taylor and Lindsey Jones
There were more than 110 food and drink stations.
Kimmie Mangum and Amy Esper
Joanne Roberto, Samantha Jennen and Elizabeth Giuliani
There were more than 110 food and drink stations.
John and Deb Ayres with Sue and Tom Jackson
Robin and Stephen Valentis
Patra Rueangaram, Rochelle Nigri, Kara Saunders and David Slomak
The Evies restaurant group
Frank and Alex Allen with Amanda and Jason DeFoor
Sarah Wertheimer and Brent Greeno
Darlene and Michael Warm
Michelle Farinacci, Patty Jorgensen, Vera Seidensticker and Erin McManus
