Southwest Florida Children’s Charities Inc. announced three additional Chef Vintner Dinners as part of the 2026 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, a multiday culinary fundraiser benefiting pediatric health care and scholarships in the medical field. The festival begins Feb. 27, and events will be held at luxury homes, acclaimed restaurants and special venues across Southwest Florida.
The Chef Vintner Dinners are among the signature experiences of the Wine & Food Fest weekend, pairing celebrated chefs with premium wineries in intimate, themed settings. Proceeds from the dinners, along with the festival’s Grand Tasting and live auction events, support Golisano Children’s Hospital and health care education initiatives.
One of the newly announced events, Oh the Places You’ll Go, is a Dr. Seuss-inspired dinner scheduled for Feb. 27 in Fort Myers. The evening will be hosted by Jeremy and Jessica King, along with Chris and Pam Simoneu, and will feature cuisine by Chef Taryn Gamble of Paradise Hospitality Group. Wines will be paired from Anomaly Vineyards and AXR Napa Valley.
Guests attend a Chef Vintner Dinner during the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, where themed, intimate dining experiences help raise funds for Golisano Children’s Hospital and pediatric health care initiatives.
Another dinner, Passport to Purpose: Around the World in 1960s Style,”will take place at a private home in Cape Coral. Hosted by John and Tammy Whelan, the globally themed experience will feature Chef Benjamin Voisin of Black Salt Culinary, with wine pairings from Goosecross Cellars and Denali Estate, both based in St. Helena, California.
In Naples, guests will be treated to Notte Italiana, an Italian-inspired dinner created by Chef Philipe Schroeder. The event will be hosted by Ray and Jessica Higdon, along with David and Kim Martin, and will include Italian cuisine paired with California wines from Lerner Project and Jarvis Estate.
Tickets for the Chef Vintner Dinners are available through weekend festival passes, with attendees registering in advance for their preferred dinner experiences. Additional details and ticket information are available at swflwinefest.org.
Southwest Florida Children’s Charities Inc. is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the region’s pediatric health care system. Its annual Wine & Food Fest has raised more than $32 million over the past 16 years for children’s health initiatives throughout Southwest Florida.
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