The courtyard at the Ringling Museum is the where foodies and oenophiles gather annually during the capstone of the weeklong Forks & Corks event. The Grand Tasting rounds out the week of celebration centered around food, wine and the people who revel in pairing the two.
The 18th annual event boasted some 1,800 guests, who also enjoyed a break in the weather, with temperatures jumping to 72 degrees by 1 p.m. after a chilly 52-degree Sarasota morning.
With over 40 local restaurants participating, guests mingled and enjoyed unique recipes and delicious dishes. Forks & Corks brings out samples of more than 350 wines from across the world. Each is hand-selected, tasted, judged and recognized as a winner. Guests are also kept busy with live music, a beer garden and shopping.
Forks & Corks is presented by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant group, whose mission is to champion local eateries. The focus of the day is food, fun and wine — not necessarily in that order.
Michael Klauber, Gabriel Garcia, Emma Kate Silvestri and Joe Farrell
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael Harb, Marc Grimaud, Dean Donnelly and Becky Souflis
Photo by Janet Combs
The 18th annual Forks & Corks was held at the Ringling Museum on Jan. 26.
Photo by Janet Combs
Board member Marc Grimaud pours some bubbly for VIP guest Bob Knudtson as he enters Forks & Corks at Ringling Museum.
Photo by Janet Combs
Forks & Corks sponsor Clive Daniel's Emily Roma pours Champagne at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mark Viso and Kate Gibson toast to Forks & Corks 2025.
Photo by Janet Combs
Cindy Black and Amy Warren volunteer at the Forks & Corks wine store tent.
Photo by Janet Combs
Melissa and Ron Gindling have a lot of fun wine shopping together.
Photo by Janet Combs
Renee Roggow and Harold Balink shop for a variety of wines.
Photo by Janet Combs
Kathy Gilkey, Brad Bryan and Gana Gilkey grab their selfie at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Renae and Geir Fjugstad purchase Pouilly Fuissé.
Photo by Janet Combs
Marci Boland, Jeanne Nelson, Tatiana Roe and Sandra Casullo
Photo by Janet Combs
The Breakfast Company's Terri Syros-King, Patti Corcoran and Liza Pappas.
Photo by Janet Combs
Hita Prayojana and Joseph Rogers prepare snow crab cocktail claws for the Beachside Hospitality Events.
Photo by Janet Combs
Cassie Goodman and Madison Marie Michalina Magazino from the Marmalade Salon check their look in the mirror.
Photo by Janet Combs
Karen Barnacle takes a break from the momentum for a moment.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michelangelo's David is the centerpiece of the Ringling Museum courtyard and he keeps watch over Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael Lease with wife, Jessica Lease, and Kelly and Ryan Cathcart.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mimi Carlin, Melissa Howard and Scott Moore
Photo by Janet Combs
Christina Chartrand and Courtney Bonacuse
Photo by Janet Combs
Genesys Blevins, Stephanie Gill and Jerry Martinez serve meatballs from the Ringling Grillroom.
Photo by Janet Combs
Lana and Irina Zub
Photo by Janet Combs
Dana Lawrence and Kettle of Fish provide live music.
Photo by Janet Combs
Kim and Ron Police give a wave from the top shelf.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jeff Tushar takes a shade break with his wine.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mark Hahn takes it all in from the top shelf over looking the courtyard where some 1800 guests are enjoying Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Colleen Shoemaker, Dilip Mathew, Kiley and Carson Turner, Cindy Adams and Brad Shoemaker enjoy a day at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sima Powers, Meghan Medeiros, Caroline Yoder and Shea Joseph show off their brilliant smiles at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Donna and Scott Westermeier
Photo by Janet Combs
David Young, Georgia Kopelousos, Melissa Blanco and Michelle Young enjoy a day at the Ringling for Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jennifer Simms runs the silent auction for Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jeremy Padilla and Robert Limehouse
Photo by Janet Combs
Corey Woods, Cindy McCollum and Cory Gendreau
Photo by Janet Combs
Annamaria Laszlo enjoys her wine in the shade.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jodie Mench of Ringling Museum tends to the gate under her sun-brella.
Photo by Janet Combs
Trey Jones takes a break in the shade at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Guest began lining up an hour before Forks & Corks opened the iron gates at Ringling Museum.
Photo by Janet Combs
Beatriz Alvarez passes out churros in chocolate sauce at Forks & Corks.
Photo by Janet Combs
From Mattison's 41 are Laura Villarreal and Louis Rivera who serve Confit Tandoori Duck.
Photo by Janet Combs
Brian Briones from the Crow's Nest.
Photo by Janet Combs
Pop's Sunset Grill Catering crew are Marcos Vasquez, Hector Juarez, Kiva, Matthew Slattery, June Moore and Emilly Balon.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sammy Coleman and Sean Cotter prepare Crepés Suzette.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sean Cotter adds Gran Gala liqueur to flame up his flambe.
Photo by Janet Combs
Event crew are Michael Farhaat and Oliver Schroer from Gaston Productions.
