20th Annual Wines of the World Dinner & Auction

The Symphony of the Americas 20th Annual Wines of the World Dinner and Auction, on October 23, 2015, was the “toast of the town.”This hugely popular event encompassed a Vintners Tasting Tour, featuring wine samplings from many of the world’s finest vintners,coordinated by Founding Sponsor of Wines of the World, Andrew Lampasone, of The Wine Watch. A gourmet dinner spotlighting our area’s top chefs was followed by a live auction, dance band and cigar bar. The event raised an estimated $120,000.

 

This upscale event, attended by approximately 300 guests, was held at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in Fort Lauderdale, and Chaired by Jim LaBonte and Jerry Rosenthal.The Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, an international food and wine group, participated in the event because both groups share the same aspirations of mastering the art of living well, through the appreciation of music, fine wine and food.

 
The 2015 Tribute Celebrity Chef honored was Angelo Elia of Casa D’Angelo. The 2015 Celebrity Vintner was Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estate &Antinori Family Wines. Other participating Chefs were Per Jacobsen and Courtney Burks of the Vienna Café & Wine Bar in Davie, Gregory McGowan of the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six, Oliver Saucy of Café Maxx, and Marco Pindo of Ristorante Sapori in Boca Raton.

Hors d’oeuvres and appetizers were prepared by Chef Wes Bonner of Publix Aprons Cooking School, Chef Tom Azar of Lauderdale Yacht Club, Chef Christopher Nealon of Aruba Beach Café, and students from The International Culinary Institute in Fort Lauderdale.Gran Forno Bakery donated the breads.

Proceeds from Wines of the World benefit the Symphony of the Americas Outreach Programs, which touch the lives of over 35,000 people annually. Now in its 28th season, the Symphony of the Americas, Broward’s own professional orchestra, has been designated as a Broward County Major Cultural Institution. Since it was founded in 1987, the orchestra has brought the best of classical music to South Florida. Its focus is enriching the lives of the people it reaches through the wonderful power of music.

For more information about the Symphony of the Americas, visit its website www.symphonyoftheamericas.org.