The annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is scheduled for February 19-21 and the Turks & Caicos will be there in force. We’ll be showcasing our best cuisine and promoting the destination to the huge crowds that flock to South Beach each year for the largest food and wine festival in North America.

The Festival kicks off on Thursday, February 19 with a late night party at The Raleigh Hotel where celebrity chef Tyler Florence will host a rocking evening. Turks and Caicos is a co-host and will be on hand with local music and food for festival goers to sample.

Saturday night, February 21, a very special event is planned at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel – the first Surf & Turks night, hosted by Clay Conley, head chef at the Mandarin’s Azul restaurant and a long time fan of Turks and Caicos seafood. He and a team of chefs, including some of the winners from the recent TCI Conch Festival, will prepare delectable dishes on the beach at the MO property overlooking Biscayne Bay. An authentic ripsaw band will entertain the guests.

Throughout the Festival, Turks & Caicos will have an exhibit in the Grand Tasting Tent on the beach, where local fare, Bambarra Rum will be served, and the fine art of conch knocking will be demonstrated.

Resort Reservations for the Turks and Caicos Islands toll free 1-877-774-5486 or visit www.discovertci.tc