The Museum of Discovery and Science hosted its 18th Annual Wine, Spirits and Culinary Celebration on Friday, April 5, 2013. Visitors who paid from $150 for VIP admission to as little as $75 for general admission access were able to dine with the otters, horseshoe crabs, and all the other amazing exhibits in the museum, while supporting the work that MODS does in the community.
Last year’s Wine, Spirits, and Culinary Celebration set an attendance record with over 2,000 guests. It was the first year that spirits and craft beers were introduced. Though exact numbers are not yet available, this year’s event will surely top that record.
The evening started off with an exclusive VIP Martini Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where VIP guests enjoyed a champagne tasting with “Champagne Wayne.” Following the reception, the general admission crowd was admitted to the event, where they could wander the entire museum, sampling food and drink for some of the most amazing and eclectic restaurants in South Florida.
The evening attire was City Chic, which turned the night into almost as much of a fashion show as a culinary adventure. . THINK Magazine paparazzi were shooting the “chic-iest” for a feature in their next issue. Based on some of the fashion that was displayed, it will definitely be a magazine worth picking up!
Upon entering the event, each guest received a complimentary Reidel wine glass, as well as a specially designed plastic plate, complete with cup holder, to try and make dining in a crowd a slightly easier task.
Highlighting the evening were tastings from some of South Florida’s top restaurants, including such long standing participants as 3030 Ocean, The Capital Grille, D’Angelo’s, Ilios@ Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Johnny V’s, Market 17, Timpano's, Via Luna at the Ritz-Carlton, Grille 401, Hey Cupcake, ROK:BRGR, SoLita, Tarpon Bend, Sea Level Restaurant and Ocean Bar, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, The Melting Pot, Trulucks, Aspire Catering, Whole Foods Market, Frankie and Johnny’s, Susie’s Scrumptious Sweets, Bravo Ristorante, A Thierry’s Catering and Event Design, The Ambry, Big City Tavern, Bimini Boat Yard, Bravo, Café Ala Carte, SAIA, Mancini’s Las Olas, Rice & Dough, Michele’s Dining Lounge, Texas de Brazil, Tundra, Vienna Café, Casa Frida, Cookies by Design, Grateful Palate, Crepemaker and Sette Bello. Guests were also able to vote for their favorite restaurant, which was given the honor of the THINK Magazine’s “Peoples’ Choice Award”.
In addition to the amazing culinary samples, guests were also able to enjoy a vast array of wines and spirits from around the world, courtesy of beverage sponsor Southern Wine and Spirits. There were also an assortment of craft beers to taste.
Special features of the evening included a “molecular gastronomy” demonstration by A Thierry’s Catering followed by a wine tasting by Paul Castronovo from his own vineyard. Visitors also had an opportunity to bid on some amazing silent auction prizes.
For guests holding the more exclusive VIP tickets, the VIP evening concluded with exclusive access to the ultra chic Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort VIP Lounge to eat, drink and dance under the stars from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Co-chairs of this year’s event were Kenneth Stiles, Matt Olsen and Dev Motwani. Major sponsors of the 18th Annual Wine & Culinary Celebration included: Bank of America; Southern Wine & Spirits; Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort; JM Lexus; BB&T; Stiles Corp; Florida Community Bank; Republic Services; American Airlines; Print Dynamics; Easy 93.1 and 97.3 The Coast; Sun Sentinel; Gold Coast Magazine; BocaRaton.com and A Thierry’s Catering.
The Local Getaways Examiner wishes to thank Marlene Janetos, Samantha Cooke, and the entire staff of the Museum of Discovery and Science for all the amazing work they do in the community, and for extending their gracious invitation to attend the Wine, Spirits and Culinary Celebration. Much thanks also goes out to Katie Dressler of Go Riverwalk for her assistance with Museum information, as well as other Fort Lauderdale events.
The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs and films. Founded in 1976 as The Discovery Center, the nonprofit facility serves approximately 450,000 visitors annually. Major operational support for the Museum is provided through generous support by Leadership Guild members including: JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Broward Health, Sun Sentinel and Wells Fargo.
The Museum is open seven days a week, 365 days a year; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m. with extended IMAX® hours on most evenings. The Museum of Discovery and Science is at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information call 954.467.MODS (6637).
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