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Plenty of mint juleps for Derby Day.

The 139th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 4. Although the race could be the shortest sporting event you'll ever watch, it's been coined "the most exciting two minutes in sports" for good reason.

Just try to stay aloof when an entire roomful of people wearing giant hats are screaming out names like "Goldencents," "Palace Malice," and "Fear the Kitten" (by the way -- those are actual names of some of the thoroughbreds on the Derby leaderboard).

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All photos by Zachary Fagenson

Good setting, bad party.

It was a surprise to see Susan Arboleda of SusyPops' cake pops selling her wares at Gulfstream Park's SweetTooth Soiree Friday night. People paid anywhere from $40 and $80 and were promised all the sugary treats they could handle.

However, we couldn't blame her. The amateur confectioner who aspires to greatness has a right to be paid for work. It was the event organizers who dropped the ball here and throughout the event. Delray's Caffe Martier was dishing out Krispy Kreme Donuts. Hopefully they weren't from the North Miami Beach store recently closed for a roach infestation.

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Courtesy of Farmer Jay

Farmer Jay wants to help you grow your garden.

Farmer Jay is a public relations dream for the local locavore movement -- a smart, personable farmer who's passionate about sharing tips on healthy eating.

You would think that between running Farmer Jay Organics and writing for New Times, the man would just want to curl up with a good book or a beer and relax.

But in his spare time, Jason "Farmer Jay" McCobb is teaching a series of growing classes at Whole Foods in Plantation.

The three classes, in honor of Earth Month, all concentrate on different aspects of growing a home garden.

Take all three and you'll have the best-tasting garden in your neighborhood.

Read Also: Hot Farmer Alert: Meet Farmer Jay


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All photos by Zachary Fagenson

Ready and waiting for tasting.

The sky had just begun to clear on Friday night, saving dozens from being soaked as they waited to be banded, wineglassed, and plated before taking on a wide field of food and drink inside Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Discovery and Science.

It was the museum's 18th foodcentric fundraiser dubbed the Wine, Spirits, and Culinary Celebration. There was indeed plenty of wine to be had, though our favorite was the sweet Strongbow Cider, which was poured generously as opposed to the small sips we received from some vintners.

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Oscar Mayer

Meat the Wienermobile. Get free stuff.

We're not sure about that famous song in which we wish we were a meat tube. Seriously -- do you really want your ultimate end to happen by being laid in a roll, doused in mustard, and eaten?

No... what we really do want, however, is to trade in our used Toyota for the sweet ride that is the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Just think how cool it would be to cruise A1A in the Wienermobile, waving to the bikini-wearing crowd and imploring them to "eat our meat."



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All photos by Laine Doss

Plenty of wine was poured at the first Galt Mile Wine and Food Festival.

Wine and food enthusiasts broke out the Pashminas and sweaters this past Saturday and braved the chill to flock to the first Galt Mile Wine and Food Festival.

The event, which closed several blocks of Galt Mile, was filled with plenty of good food and drink, as area restaurants like Sunfish Grill, Tokyo Blue, and Da Campo Osteria paired food with wines.

As the sun set, a band played and the wine kept pouring -- many people switching to red to warm up as the ocean breezes blew cooler. All in all, it was a great first-time event that was well-attended.

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Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival via Facebook

The first ever Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival is this weekend!

In case you missed the overwhelming extravaganza that was the South Beach Wine & Food Festival -- or the Alka Seltzer did its trick and you're planning where to go this weekend, take note Fort Lauderdale because the inaugural Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival - A Seaside Affair! is coming your way.



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aanjhan via flickr

If you can't be here, be at St. Catherine's.

Festival season has reached South Florida's shores. This weekend, the St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach will be hosting the 38th Annual Greek Festival, open to anyone looking to get a fix of feta cheese and folk dance.

The festival will feature artwork, jewelry, Greek cuisine and performances. The youth ministry will dance in traditional garb alongside the Heart of Greece dance troupe, and for those who enjoy a hearty lamb shank, St. Catherine has "the best around," according to a church representative. While some food is ordered from local Greek bakeries, most dishes are cooked on site by church staff and chefs.

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Bummed out that this weekend's pork-a-palooza (AKA BaconFest) is sold out? Turn that frown upside down. As of Friday morning, a limited number of entertainment-only tickets will be released for a price tag of $15 a pop.

Note: these tickets are for entertainment only. They don't include the sampling of food bites from scheduled vendors, BUT there will be additional food items for sale.

So even though you have to buy food a la carte -- and you won't get the full slate of bacony goodness -- you will get to listen to the likes of the Bacon Brothers. And that's pretty appetizing in itself.

See also:
- BaconFest Announces Restaurant Lineup
- BaconFest Florida 2013: Todd Fisher, Host of United States of Bacon Says You Can't Overdose on Bacon

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Photo by Georgia Handy

For more on South Florida's food scene, check out New Times' Taste guide, hitting newsstands Thursday, February 21.

Sure, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival might be lighting up Miami-Dade this month -- but when it comes to the tricounty area, Broward and Palm Beach have way more street cred when it comes to celebrating food and booze. From casual fun like Beerfest or BaconFest to swanky shindigs like New Times' Pairings or the Boca Food & Wine Fest, with all the action happening locally, our counties would totally win a culinary smackdown.

Here's the lowdown on some of our area's best annual food- and booze-focused festivities:

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