Food and Wine Festival this month

The St. Augustine Independent Restaurants Association, composed of independent restaurant operators in the city, has grown from primarily serving a unified marketing function for its members into an ambassador; promoting St Augustine as a dining destination and raising thousands of dollars for local charitable organizations.

On Sunday September 19th, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. all 16 restaurants will come together and, with 8 regional and national distributors, present St Augustine’s first “Food and Wine Festival” to highlight just how great a dining experience the oldest city can offer.

This inaugural festival will be held at the River House located at 180 Marine Street.

In addition to over 30 dishes, dessert samples and more than 100 wines to taste, there will be cooking and ice carving demonstrations and a silent auction of select fine wines. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door, and are available at any of the 16 member restaurants or may be ordered online at staugustinerestaurants.com.

This event will benefit the building fund for Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. The organization is close to completing their new facility on West King Street that will promote the health and well-being of underprivileged children.

Lorna MacDonald, President of the St.Augustine Independent Restaurants Association, wanted to recognize their generous sponsors St. Johns Food Service, Sysco Food Service, K.P.A. – CPA, Garden Wholesale Produce, The Bailey Group and in-kind sponsors, The Buzz Entertainment Magazine, Sight & Sound Engineering, Simply Linens, Music by Heartstrings, Cheney Bros, The Print Shop, American Culinary Federation, Fazzini Coffee, Republic National Distribution Co, Southern Wine & Spirits, Coastal Wines, Transatlantic Wines, Opici Wine Co., Premier Beverage Co, Augustin Wines, Stacole, Selected Brands, Andy’s Taylor Rental and more.

“We in the Association are proud of the fine foods and wines we serve; we are proud of our city and proud to partner with such a fine charity,” MacDonald said. “Please join us to celebrate the best of the best St Augustine has to offer.”