From Napa to Bordeaux : MOSI Celebrates 19th Annual Einstein on Food & Wine Festival

Einstein on Food and Wine

The Museum of Science & Industry will host its 19th annual Einstein on Food & Wine festival, Jan. 31 - Feb. 1. This celebration of the senses showcases the delicious and diverse cuisine of Tampa Bay, alongside the palate pleasers of winemakers from around the country. The weekend is ideal for anyone who enjoys wine, food, music and supporting a worthy cause through a silent auction.

The weekend kicks off with the 2nd annual Annus Mirabilis dinner on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for those wishing to enjoy an intimate dinner, culinary demonstrations and a customized menu by Alex Thomopoulos, comedian-turned-chef of HUNGRY’s Bites & Booze, in a private home on Bayshore Boulevard. A regular recipe and content contributor for KitchenAid and Chalkboard magazine, Thomopoulos is also a recurring guest and guest co-host of Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show. Thomopoulos' appearance is made possible by the generous donation of Bay Area Medical Resources, Inc.

The celebration continues with Einstein on Food & Wine on Saturday, Feb. 1. The event begins at 7 p.m., but those with VIP tickets have early access beginning at 6 p.m. and can rub elbows with Thomopoulos in the VIP lounge. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, the host sponsor, will feature more than 120 vintners with a variety of wines, including reds, whites, champagnes, domestic and imported. Delicious food and desserts from more than 30 different local restaurants will be featured including Capital Grille, Texas de Brazil, Shells, Cigar City Brewery, BJ’s and Blue Bell ice cream, along with a variety of food trucks like Not Your Ordinary Food Truck and Lizzy Cakes. In addition to the array of food and wine, a silent auction, including tickets to the Emmy® awards, will be held with proceeds to benefit MOSI’s educational programs.

This year MOSI is adding new and exciting elements to Einstein on Food & Wine, including the MOSI STEAMpunks performing random acts of science throughout the event, roaming Einsteins, Ghostbusters, Roller Derby girls, the Tampa Bay Squad of the 501st Legion – the Star Wars Imperial costuming organization, and much more.

Additionally, restaurants who participate will have their food judged by Thomopoulos and MOSI guests in a quest to find the best food at Einstein on Food & Wine. Guests will vote for their favorite restaurant by dropping a dollar in their ballot box. The restaurant with the most dollars at the end of the night wins "Fan Favorite." All proceeds benefit MOSI's education and scholarship programs. Winners will be announced in MOSI’s Grand Lobby prior to the closing of our silent auction. The restaurant competition is sponsored by Raymond James Financial.

Prize categories are as follows:
-First Place will receive $1,000 and a plaque
-Second Place will receive $750 and a plaque
-Third Place will receive $250 and a plaque
-Fan Favorite will receive a plaque and bragging rights

Einstein on Food & Wine tickets are $60 for members, $75 for non-members and $85 when purchased the week of the event. The event begins at 7 p.m. and guests must be 21 years or older to attend. VIP tickets can be purchased for $125, which includes early access to Einstein on Food & Wine at 6 p.m. and a round-trip chartered bus service from the Capital Grille at International Plaza, where complimentary appetizers will be served from 4 - 6 p.m.

Tickets for the 2nd annual Annus Mirabilis dinner, which include an intimate dinner, culinary demonstrations and a customized menu by Thomopoulos, are $200 per person or $350 per couple.

Einstein on Food & Wine is sponsored in part by Bay Area Medical Resources, Inc.; Service Systems Associates; Raymond James Financial; Macy's; Art Lipo; KPMG; the Law Offices of Jeanne Coleman; Phelps Dunbar, LLP; Hanna, Lemar & Morris, CPA's, PA; Rivero Gordimer & Company; Wit Ostrenko; and Molly Demeulenaere. Both evenings benefit the education programs at MOSI. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 813-987-6000 or visit MOSI.org.