Wine Enthusiasts and Food Aficionados Alike Are Drawn to Popular Two-Day Festival
This summer, many visitors descended on picturesque Panama City Beach, Florida for its premier two-day culinary festival called UNwineD. Held at Aaron Bessant Park, attendees enjoyed the pairing of delectable appetizers created by regional chefs with world-class wine and spirits at this upscale affair. They leisurely strolled through Art & Vendor Row to peruse and purchase novelties from local boutiques as well as the Southern Living tent featuring home décor and cookbooks. Guests were able to lounge in lawn chairs or on blankets on the sprawling 70 acres of green space while listening to the musical stylings of guitarist Ayron Jones. The host city of Panama City Beach indeed hosted an exciting, palate-pleasing event to remember.
Exclusive VIP Party Hosted by Southern Living Magazine
The weekend event commenced with a classy garden party hosted by Southern Living Magazine on Friday night. Custom cocktails and delightful bites were served as guests listened to live music under a beautifully decorated tent with chic sofas, fabulous floral arrangements, and a special gifts display. Covering homes, gardens, food, and travel, Southern Living has a circulation of more than 23 million with its print, digital, mobile, and special event platforms.
The Grand Tasting of Cuisine Featuring Top Regional Chefs
Chefs were specially selected to curate samples of distinctive dishes for the Grand Tasting on Saturday afternoon. Top Chef winner and Southern Grit cookbook author Kelsey Barnard Clark kicked off the day by creating tantalizing tasters. Chef David from Charcuterie Brothers created Charcuterie Boards. Chef Chris Enfinger of Beau’s created Chick Chick and Smoked Grouper Rolls. Chef John Trubia of Paparazzi Gourmet Delit created Tortellini Pasta with Pink Sauce. Chef Laurie of Dreamers created Shrimp and Grits. Chef Chrissy Brady of Temperly’s British Eatery created Fish and Chips. Chef Pamela Billing of Montego Bay created Jerk Shrimp Ceviche. Chef Pamela Billing of Resort Collection Weddings and Events created Hawaiian Ahi Tuna with Crispy Wonton. Chef July Gunn of Buttermilk Sky Pies created a variety of pies. Chef Anna Patronis of Captain Anderson’s created She Crab Soup and Seafood Gumbo.
The Grand Tasting of Global Wines, Spirits, Selters, and Beers
Great wines, craft beers, and spirits from around the world were sampled as guests strolled from tent to tent. Beer brands included Terrapin, New Belgium, Goat Island, Parish, Good People, Coppertail, Cigar City, Lagunitas, Sweetwater, Dogfish Head, Southern Fields Brewing, and Abita. Selter fans tasted Truly, White Claw, and Corona. Spirit shots from Sugerlands Distilling, Dulce Vida, American Born, Timber Creek, and Blue Ridge Spirits were served. Wine connoisseurs enjoyed flights from Dupline Winery, Andis Wines, Santa Margherita, J Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Anecoop Bodegas, Avelino Vegas Winery, Monte Quieto Wines, Bodegas Vinicola Real, Santa Elvira, Selva Volpina Winery, Chateau Saint Nabor, and Etcetera Wine.
Extraordinary Panama City Beach Restaurants
When guests were not onsite at the UNwineD event, they were able to visit some of these upscale establishments and trendy eateries with delicious cuisine. Saltwater Grill is an elegant seafood and steak restaurant with a 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium. While listening to live music, customers can enjoy smoked tuna dip, Diver Scallops & Shrimp, and Snapper Pontchartrain. Located on the waterfront, Sisters of the Sea & Dive Bar features a Mermaid Meet & Greet, an onsite pool, and children’s birthday parties. Everyone likes the all-you-can-eat alternative. Captain Jack’s Family Buffet serves breakfast lunch and dinner. Endless crab legs, steak, shrimp, fish, oysters, chicken, desserts, and the 50-item salad bar are served.
The Angry Tuna Seafood Company presents dishes such as Angry Ahi Oysters, DJ’s Famous Smoked Tuna Dip, and the Seafood Platter for Two. Welcome home to Paula Dean’s Family Kitchen and enjoy the likes of Best Ever Southern Fried Chicken, Ol’ Fashioned Southern Meatloaf, and Baked Mac & Cheese. Shuckum’s Oyster Pub & Seafood Grill is one of the hottest nightspots in Panama City Beach. Plan to go on Karaoke Night and dine on Crab Bisque, a Baked Oyster Sampler, and the Seafood Clipper. Paparazzi Gourmet Deli will wow you with 15-inch stone-baked thin-crust pizzas like the Tree Hugger, Grand Lagoon, or Papa Supreme. Complement your meal with the Italian Wedding soup, Papa Salad, and The Godfather sub.
To purchase tickets to UNwineD 2022 which will be held March 18-19, 2022, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined. One of the premier foodie events of the season, you will have an opportunity to partake in two days of exceptional food, drinks, and music. For accommodations, click the link for Panama City Beach hotels and resorts. Wonderful beachside resorts include Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort, Grand Panama Beach Resort, and Holiday Inn Resort Panama City Beach. Feel free to view the UNwined Video.
Upscale Living Contributor Leslie E. Royal is a global travel writer, author, micro-influencer, and multi-media journalist. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications including ESSENCE, AAA Midwest Traveler, Black Enterprise, The Ashro Blog, FORTUNE.com, Medium, and AAA Southern Traveler. She is an Ashro Brand Ambassador and the host of their popular video series called Onward and Upward with Leslie E. Royal. The creator of the Leslie’s Lane consumer information blog, she has two books: Leslie Lane The Book!: Your One-Stop Internet Resource Guide to Links for Jobs, Inspiration, Discounts, FREE Stuff, Scholarships, Travel & More ( $14.95), and How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book for FREE with Amazon’s KDP: An Easy Way to Complete Your Manuscript in Seven Stress-Free Steps ($9.95). Follow Leslie on Instagram @LesliesLane and see her Amazon Author Page.
