St. Augustine, FL (April 1, 2015) -- St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches is fast becoming known as a place to visit not just for its history, luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches and world-class golf, but for its flavorful events, unique restaurants and talented chefs.                                          

Along with year-round fresh seafood and locally grown produce, the cultural influences of nearly 450 years of history  - Spanish, Greek, Minorcan, British and French -  combine with traditional southern cuisine to make  St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra a “must do” for food fans. There are dozens of fine restaurants that feature fantastic flavors on their tables every day. 

FOOD & WINE TOURS

The Tasting Tours offers a variety of tours by carriage. The Vittles and Vino Tour is one of the most popular.  www.TastingTours.com

St. Augustine City Walks features the Savory Faire Tour, a walking tour whose guides combine history with delicious tastings at numerous unique eateries. From Tapas to desserts, your City Walks guide explains how certain foods made it to the New World and played a role in shaping the Nation's Oldest City.  www.staugcitywalks.com

St. Augustine Historic Walking Tours features the St. Augustine Food Tour where participants get to eat in at least five different eateries and learn the culinary influences from  the old world settlers in Nation's oldest city.  www.staugustinehistorictours.com.

FOOD AND WINE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Throughout the year, epicurean events celebrate the culinary influences and local-to-the-area seafood and produce that make Florida's Historic Coast such a tasty destination. Highlighted events include:

May 15: Great Chefs of St. Augustine: A Culinary Competition - The Treasury on the Plaza will host a culinary competition of 11 of St. Augustine's top restaurants serving the finest cocktails, entrees and desserts.  The competition is to raise funds & awareness for The Back Roads Mobile Food & Weekend Hunger Backpack Programs.  www.JacksonvilleMag.com

September 5 - 450th Landing Day Thanksgiving Feast and Celebration - The Fountain of Youth Park reenacts Menendez' Landing and throws a FEAST for the public!  The Feast of Thanksgiving and Landing celebration of 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine will take place featuring a Thanksgiving meal just like the First documented Thanksgiving Feast in what is now the US - 450 years ago! www.FountainofYouthFlorida.com

September 9 – 12 St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival - A multi-event celebration that features wines from Spain, the city's founding country, takes place in October. Spanish wine distributors as well as local and regional restaurants serve up tastings and wine and food pairing events.  http://staugustine-450.com/st-augustines-450th-anniversary-celebration/

October 1- 31:  Flavors of Florida's Historic Coast - Dozens of area restaurants offer

"Chef's Choice"  and prix fixe (fixed price) meals that celebrate the destination's rich culinary heritage of Florida's Historic Coast while showcasing their chef's talents. www.HistoricCoastFlavors.com

October 4: 6th Annual SAiRA Food & Wine Fest - A popular food and wine sampling from 17 area restaurants in a fun atmosphere at The River House, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine.  Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Tickets are $55 per person. www.StAugustineRestaurants.com

October 9 - 11  St. Augustine Greek Festival - Greek food and pastries await you at the 18th Annual St. Augustine Greek Festival. Enjoy Greek food, live Greek music, traditionally-costumed Greek folk dancers, arts & crafts vendors & more!  www.stauggreekfest.com

October 18: A Taste of the Beach: Annual 'taste-fest' with the crowd and judges selecting the coveted “Best of the Beach” restaurant at the end of the evening. http://www.thecivicassociation.org

October 24: OceanWise Sustainable Seafood Fundraiser – The 5th Annualsustainable seafood event to support and enhance programs in environmental education, stewardship of natural and cultural resources and scientific research projects at the GTM Research Reserve. www.gtmnerr.org

November 1:  31st Annual Great St. Augustine Chowder Debate - More than 30 area restaurants compete for top honors  for the best seafood, clam and conch chowder raising funds for Shriners Children's Hospitals.  www.conch-house.com

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, 42 miles of pristine, Atlantic beaches and the location of Ponce De Leon's historic discovery of Florida in 1513.  For more information on events, activities, holiday getaway and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at   www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com,  become a fan on Facebook or call 1.800.653.2489.