February 6, 2026

Forks & Corks 2026 – Wine, Food, and People Share the Spotlight!

Let’s take a look at a beautiful Sunday in the sun.

It’s a Sunday. Just like any other “normal” Sunday. That is, if your definition of a “normal” Sunday includes hosting 1,500+ of your nearest and dearest for a little wine and dine.

Yes, it’s that time of year once again. The very unofficial kickoff to season here in Sarasota. The Sunday when the Ringling Museum courtyard feels like one giant afternoon cocktail party. Of course, we are talking about the 2026 edition of Forks & Corks.

Over the years, we’ve concentrated on all of the delicious dishes that our local Sarasota restaurants prepare and serve for this fantastic event. And, we’ve given some space to the world-class wines that are being poured. But honestly, Forks & Corks is really just as much about the people as it is about the food and wine.

We are talking about the people who got lucky enough to snatch up a ticket when they went on sale this past fall. But we’re also talking about the people who make this giant undertaking happen each and every year. And it takes A LOT of people to make it happen.

From the moment you step onto the Ringling grounds, you know you’re in for something special.

Champagne and wine will be poured. And LOTS of it! 🥂

There are plenty of wine experts excited to walk you through exactly what you’re sipping.

There’s even a little free advice if you’re feeling anxious about your choices.

As you can imagine, there are lots of people sipping this afternoon.

Sampling all of those great vintages can be more than a little overwhelming. Sometimes it’s OK to stop, take a breath, and compare notes.

Wine not your thing? If you can peddle a bike, you can make a margarita!

Or even grab a beer.

Just like over on the wine side of things, there are lots of folks involved in the food part of this day.

It takes skilled people to prepare, serve, and explain each delicious dish to the seemingly endless line of hungry samplers.

And then there is the food itself. OH – we didn’t forget that part! 😀

We had some favorites (I’m sure if you were there, you had some favorites too!).

📝 ** Apology in advance ** Food at this event is really hard to photograph. At least for an amateur like me. It’s sunny in some parts of the Ringling courtyard and shady in others. It’s all served on black serving-ware. And it’s a mini mob scene. I think I’ve gotten WAY better over the years at the whole food photo thing, but honestly, I’m much more comfortable with the words. 😉

That said, here goes…

There were lots and lots of great dishes served on this beautiful Sarasota Sunday.

The Lasagne Bolognese from Cafe Gabbiano is always delicious.

Marcel’s from downtown’s Main Street brought some classic Cacio e Pepe to the celebration. That was a hit!

You know it’s a party when Pacific Rim busts out this hard-to-resist GIANT sushi boat! 🍣🍥

We weren’t done with the standout Asian cuisine just yet. Tsunami’s Snow Mountain Rolls were pretty spectacular.

Chef Gino Calleja of Kolucan sure knows how to sear a panful of scallops. They used these beauties with sweet corn, mezcal cream, and huitlacoche risotto.

Michael’s On East Flank Steak Sliders are always a super popular item on the Forks & Corks Sunday menu.

This is how you slice up flank steak for 1,500 people!

NO! We did not forget dessert! 🍰

Miguel’s rolled out their Crepe Suzette just for the occasion. Always a crowd pleaser.

And the Breakfast Company always comes through with their Mini Cinnamon Rolls!

Of course, every great party needs a soundtrack. And like most years, Kettle of Fish kept the masses swaying to the beat. 🎶

⭐ OH – One last thing before we go. Forks & Corks tickets are notoriously difficult to come by. But they do have an “easy” lane. You can purchase VIP tix a little bit ahead of the general on-sale date.

The Scout Guide Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande rolls out a special red-carpet section for you to eat, drink, and relax! 📝 We’ll give you a heads-up before next year’s VIP tickets go on sale!

That’s a wrap! Forks & Corks 2026 is in the books. I’m sure the planning for 2027 will start as soon as the Sarasota Manatee-Originals folks wake up from their well-deserved nap! Congrats on a job well done! 👏

📌 ODDS & ENDS

You didn’t think you were getting out of here without at least one extra thing. Well, here it is…

Hopefully, you’re not the last person in the Sarasota area to hear about this, but if you are, that just means you have other things to do besides waiting on local food news to break.

The Hob Nob Drive-In will soon be flipping burgers and serving milkshakes once again! They intend to reopen this spring under new ownership.

Longtime Sarasota resident Troy King, along with business partner (and stepson) Dimitri Syros, will take charge of this Sarasota treasure. We’re all hoping things remain “kind of” the same. Fingers crossed the semi-addictive Onion Rings make a return as well.

Good luck to Troy and Dimitri!

📝 END NOTES –

(a) If Dimitri’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he and his family are the force behind the popular Breakfast Company restaurants.

(b) We wrote a piece about the Hob Nob Burger for our A Burger A Week series back in July of 2023. You can READ THAT HERE. Of course we’ll do an update when they re-open! 🍔

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🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️ 

Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. 

📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2026 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖 

📋 MENU OF THE MONTH!! – Mirna’s Cuban Cuisine – MENU HERE! 

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🧑‍🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO ‍🌾 

EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS 

EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS 

EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS 

EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS 

EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS  

EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS 

EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Florida Farmer’s Market – DETAILS 

THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS 

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