Vintners Dinner and Taste of Key West 2018, to benefit AIDS Help

It was so successful last year, ‘Taste of Key West’ rolls again into Mallory Square, the famous “Home of the Key West Sunset, on Monday, April 16th, from 6 to 9 p.m.

“The unavailability of Truman Waterfront, our traditional venue, last year was a blessing in disguise,” noted Scott Pridgen, Executive Director of AIDS Help, which benefits from the 3-hour festival of food and drink. “It forced us to re-invent the event, now in its 23rd year…and a fresh start for something so full of fresh, created-on-the-spot offerings is always good!”

The open-air event promises a bounty of beverage and palate-pleasing plates.  ‘Taste of Key West’ gates open at 6 p.m. for FREE general admission. Foodies can stroll edibles and drinkables, including seafood, tropical and Caribbean flavors, European dishes, vegetarian offerings and more and buy tickets based upon what looks best!

Food/beverage tickets and packages are now available for purchase at https://tinyurl.com/TasteofKW2018. There, for $25, you can obtain a voucher to be redeemed for a souvenir wine glass and $20 in food/beverage tickets. Other specially-priced packages are also available, including Foodie, Sipper and Date Night options.

At the event itself, you can also buy a collectible beer pint glass, which will benefit the 2018 SMART Ride (the annual Miami-to-Key West ride November 16th and 17th).

Helping underwrite the 2018 event is Gulfstream Insurance Group, Inc. and Lower Keys Medical Center, whose sponsorship helps defray the cost of staging ‘Taste of Key West’.

Biking or walking is strongly suggested…for both convenience and to work off those calories!

Tickets are also on sale now for the April 15th Vintners Dinner at Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, at 1500 Reynolds Street at https://tinyurl.com/Vintners2018.  There are no last-minute discounts or walk-ins…so if you’re thinking about attending the annual event, it’s time to buy.

This 6-10 p.m. Tour of the Senses  “is a 9-course passport to the palate,” Pridgen notes. “The landscape of taste has changed. What was once considered exotic can be found in any supermarket produce aisle. So we especially challenged our participating Chefs to make a dining impact.”

In the Flagler Ballroom there will be of course, flowing grape, too. Representatives from Republic National Distributing Company and winemakers from some of the top wineries and vineyards will be on-hand to pour and discuss their best labels in-depth.

During this 2-day cavalcade of delicacies, every fork lifted, every plate cleared, is due to the generosity of donating food service owners and managers, Pridgen commented.

“Participating restaurants give us their time, staffs and product…the chefs create gourmet food influenced by the island’s seafaring heritage, subtropical climate and multicultural atmosphere.…vintages from 100 wineries and vineyards are provided by Republic National Distributing Company, with a larger beer selection than ever.”

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