Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, Beer Events, and Other Food & Drink Happenings This Week in South Florida

Drink up: Both PBC World of Beer locations are hosting special events this week.

​In some ways, this is a relatively quiet week in terms of events, but with a few big names on the bill -- the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival and Steve Martorano's battle of the meatball, to name a few -- there's still choices for food and booze hounds who need to get out and enjoy the awesome "winter" weather we're experiencing.  

Here is a look at a few of the food and truck events taking place this week and weekend in Broward and Palm Beach Counties:

Monday:

Food truck rally in Hollywood -- The lineup for this week's food truck invasion in Arts Park at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood has 25 trucks scheduled to appear, with everything from sweet treats courtesy of the likes of Dolce Gourmet Cupcakes and Sugar Rush, to main fare like healthy options from Veggie Xpress and hearty bites from Ms. Cheezious and Che Grill. The rally is 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Tuesday:

NY Tap Takeover -- Considering the number of Empire State denizens who call this area home for at least part of the year, it makes perfect sense that World of Beer in Coconut Creek would cede the taps to New York craft brews for at least one evening out of the year. That time is 7 to 9 p.m. when New York labels like Blue Point, Brooklyn Brewery, Ommegang, Southern Tier, and several others are the stars of the show at WOB. 

Thursday:

Marky's Caviar Tasting -- Learn all about those tiny, expensive little fish eggs -- specifically the sustainable, farm-raised variety offered by Marky's Caviar -- at this tasting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton. The cost is $5 per person and registration is recommended; 561-447-0000.

Winter Solstice Pairing at World of Beer on Clematis -- Shocolaate will join with World of Beer in West Palm Beach for a beer and chocolate pairing at 6 p.m. Ten specialty truffles (e.g. Pumpkin Pie, Peppermint Patty, and Gingerbread Man) will pair with appropriate beers, and admission also entitles you to a Loyalty Card, in the event you plan on becoming a WOB regular. The bar is located at 101 N. Clematis Street. Space is limited and admission is $25 per person. RSVP to lisa.weatherston@wobusa.com.

Friday:

Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival -- Friday evening marks the kick-off to five days of extravagant food and wine celebration in Palm Beach with individual tickets to Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival events ranging in price from $75 to $250. Rub elbows with culinary celebs (Michelle Bernstein, Scott Conant, Ingrid Hoffman, and Michael Schwartz, to name a few) and various other movers and shakers at the swanky affairs. Some of the proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation's Educational programs. 

Saturday:

Martorano's Master Meatball Eating Championship -- Yo, Cuz! Steve Martorano will host his third annual meatball eating contest from 4 to 6 p.m. at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Previous contests were hosted in Las Vegas and this is the first year for the battle to occur on Sunshine State soil. Admission is free, but if you want to dine from any of the Miami Food Trucks that will be at the event, you'll want to bring cash.

Beer School 101 -- World of Beer in West Palm Beach is hosting a special beer class for beginners at 3 p.m. For $15, you can sample craft beers and learn what sets various brews apart from one another. RSVP to james.retzler@worldofbeerusa.com.

Down the Line:

Want to be the first to know about upcoming events and specials? Sign up to receive New Times' weekly dining newsletter, Cafe Bites. Other specialty newsletters focus on music, arts and culture events, and free stuff. Check them out and sign up here.

---

Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Facebook and on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.