SMALL BITES: S. Florida to savor 2 culinary events this weekend — Feast of Little Italy & Taste of Recovery

Rod Stafford Hagwood, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·3 min read

Sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article, you want a little news brief instead — an amuse bouche of information, if you will. That’s why we have Small Bites, a new feature at the South Florida Sun Sentinel with tiny tidbits on the food and beverage scene.

Feast of Little Italy

WHAT: Right up front, we want to tell you that admission and parking are free. Yup, FREE. That alone is reason to check out the Feast of Little Italy when the three-day festival returns to the Abacoa enclave in Jupiter for the 21st time.

In addition to Italian food vendors, the Nov. 4-6 event will feature The Peroni Bar, Aperol Spritz Piazza and Voga Prosecco Lounge. Also, check out the free Voga Wine seminars throughout the weekend by wine connoisseur Anthony Acampa.

And, on La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage, there will be demonstrations from national and local chefs. Showing you how it’s done will be the likes of chef Marco Sciortino of “Come Dine with Me WNY!” as well as locals such as:

  • Erik Pettersen from Evo Italian

  • Anthony Acampa from “Fats Where the Flavors At”

  • Nina Tomasik from Nina’s Fresh Bakery

  • Chef Thomas Op’t Holt from Tavern Pi

  • Elena Alfano from Pasta by Pollio

WHEN: 4-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Abacoa Town Center, 1267 Main St., Jupiter

COST: Free admission and parking

EXTRA TIDBIT: Event founders Jerry Somma and Bill Fagnano have lined up a roster of entertainers taking the stage that will include: Tre Bella, Austin Giorgio, the Atlantic City Boys, Marc Turo and Franco Corso.

INFORMATION: FeastOfLittleItaly.com

Taste of Recovery

WHAT: It takes a boss to get 19 food and beverage concepts to pool their talents for one cause. Luckily, the 4th annual Taste of Recovery festival has Louie Bossi, the chef/restaurateur whose eponymous eateries in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale are packed with both locals and visitors.

Bossi founded the culinary event as a benefit for The Crossroads Club, a Delray Beach nonprofit that provides a safe haven for people trying to kick the use of addictive substances. Crossroads has served the SoFlo community for more than 40 years, and its services are free.

Bob Higginbotham, a well-known, food-and-beverage executive in the Palm Beach County hospitality scene, will serve as the event’s honorary chair.

“I am so grateful to the Delray Beach recovery community, which has been instrumental in my own recovery,” Higginbotham says. “I’m honored and humbled ... and can only hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to seek recovery.”

Guests will enjoy savory and sweet bites from a variety of leading area food service venues, along with live entertainment from Florida’s own Damon Fowler, a singer/songwriter/guitarist.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach

COST: $50 in advance; $60 at the gate

EXTRA TIDBITS: In addition to Louie Bossi’s Ristorante, Bar & Pizzeria, 17 other participants include: Elisabetta’s Ristorante, Bar & Pizzeria; City Oyster & Sushi Bar; Rocco’s Tacos; Josie’s Ristorante; J&J Seafood; Driftwood; Space of Mind Community Classroom Kitchen; Eat Thai; Tim Finnegans; Rogie Pierogies; New Orleans Pralines; Windy City Pizza; Sexz Chef; Nature’s Corner Café; Catering CC; Sub-Culture Group and Proper Ice Cream.

INFORMATION: Go.TheCrossroadsClub.com/taste-of-recovery