In its nearly three-decade existence, Bern’s Winefest has established itself as one of Tampa’s most anticipated annual food and wine events. Running April 12-19, the 29th annual lineup presented by the Laxer Family Foundation featured a champagne brunch, seminars, wine dinners, and culminated with a Grand Tasting Experience. This year’s finale felt extra significant as it marks the last time the event will take place at Haven before its upcoming closure, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s return.
The entire Bern’s team – from Bern’s Steak House, Haven, Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits, the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, and more – takes pride in showcasing their skills at this extravaganza of food, wine, and hospitality. Guests range from longtime patrons of Bern’s to serious wine enthusiasts and hospitality insiders, to people just out having the ultimate Sunday Funday in South Tampa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Everywhere you look, there are wine stations featuring close to 300 world-class wines hand-selected by the Bern’s Wine & Spirits team. At each station, you will find designated pourers sharing the knowledge and history of the accompanying wines. At a certain point, you have no choice but to give in to the abundance, or to get strategic about the wines you’re trying.
Servers circulate the rooms continuously, offering some of the most spectacular bites in town alongside unprompted-but-welcome pairing suggestions. It was fun to see some familiar faces from Bern’s behind the trays, reminding you that this is a family business.
The food alone would be enough to keep you coming back year after year: oysters topped with caviar and mignonette, wagyu tartare, fried chicken finished with hot honey, salmon sashimi with roe, the list goes on… and we haven’t even mentioned the iconic Haven cheese display.
Food and wine for a cause
This year’s theme was Spring in Italy, and the decor as well as the guests looked the part. There was a live band, dance floor, plenty of seating, and even a Spritz Bar and staff hand-piping fresh cannoli. Plus, Chill Bros. was on-site serving up Olive Oil ice cream and their latest flavor, Holy Cannoli.
Bern’s is a Tampa institution that goes above and beyond to give back to the community. Funds raised during Bern’s Winefest benefit the Laxer Family Foundation and Culinary Careers Program. The silent auction also funds culinary and hospitality scholarships for students based in Florida through the James Beard Foundation gifting 33 scholarships so far.
Every moment of the Grand Tasting Experience was special from the photo ops to the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Veranda to the pop-up Bern’s Fine Wine Shop, the iconic Haven cheese display, and of course, the tasting garden. Next year is sure to be bigger and better, as it always is. Tickets always go fast, so keep an eye out next year for the return of Bern’s Winefest.
