The 14th Annual ROTARY KEY BISCAYNE WINE & FOOD FEST was held on Thursday, November 15th 2018, at The Rusty Pelican. The evening’s proceeds benefitted the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation (RCKBF) and its affiliated charities for adults and children.
In this year’s showdown, five judges tasted some of the finest wines produced worldwide. This was not a competition between the new world vs the old world – here every bottle of wine was judged by its own attributes!
The evening began with a tasty Prosecco upon arrival to “season the palate” for the wonderful wines which followed. More than 30 wines were offered including the wines participating in the competition.
Shari Gherman, president of the American Fine Wine Competition & Gala, served as wine director and five noted wine professionals judged the exciting wines: Patrick Sullivan, Wine Educator and professional Wine Judge; Wendy Rosano, Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine; Roberto Colombi, Sommelier and GM of The Blue in the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton Resort, Delius Shirley, owner of Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables and Jacqueline Coleman, wine columnist for Biscayne Times Newspaper, Let’s Eat Magazine and South Florida Luxury Guide rounded off the professional Judging panel.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by DJ Mister Q who kept everyone dancing all night.
In addition, Rotary’s collaboration continues with The Arc of South Florida. Rather than each organization holding an independent fundraising event, The Arc of South Florida works together with the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation to offer attendees a wonderful evening and an opportunity to support charitable efforts in our community.
This year, Rotary announced its collaboration with The Key Biscayne Community Foundation to further its support of the Chief Press Youth Project in Liberty City. In 2013, the Village of Key Biscayne partnered with the Miami Children’s Initiative to create a Sister City partnership with Liberty City. By sharing cultural ideas and differences and learning from each other, both communities aim to provide better outcomes for children in under-served communities and opportunities for neighbors of different communities to learn and care about each other.
The proceeds from this event qualify for multiple matching grants. Over the past four years, the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne has successfully obtained matching grants from local Rotary District 6990 and The Rotary International Foundation in Evanston, IL exceeding $400,000 to maximize the charitable impact of this fundraiser.
