KEY LARGO — Each summer, the gateway to the Florida Keys transforms into a food and wine lover’s paradise. Key Largo’s culinary experts are stepping up to the plate to present nearly 30 tasty food, wine and spirits events Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 9.

A festival kickoff is set for July 31 with four refreshment-filled TGIF events: a happy hour and wine extravaganza, seminar about the history and preparation methods of the modern-day martini, fajita and margarita fiesta, and a “crustacean creations” event featuring wine paired with king crab and snow crab.

Subsequent highlights of the 10-day festival are to include themed, “how-to” and wine pairing events such as a “whodunit” murder mystery night, champagne brunch, all-American barbecue with summertime wines, five-course authentic Greek dinner with European wines, sushi with a sous chef, everyday wines with lobster prepared every which way, cooking demonstrations with seafood in the shell and more.

Capping off the event is a festival finale Sunday, Aug. 9, complete with music, brunch and bubbly.

For a complete schedule of event times, venues and reservation information, visit www.KeyLargoFoodandWineFestival.com.

For Key Largo area accommodations, contact the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (800) 822-1088, e-mail info@keylargochamber.org or visit the official Web site of the Florida Keys & Key West at www.fla-keys.com.

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