Thousands of glasses and hundreds of dollars were raised in unison to support science, education, innovation and exploration in South Florida at theMuseum of Discovery and Science’s (MODS) 29th Annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration held on October 17. A scrumptious success, Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s premier gourmet fundraiser offered up the best of South Florida’s restaurants and spirits to benefit MODS’ mission of connecting people to inspiring science.
“The 29th Annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration was an extraordinary evening that brought our community together in support of MODS’ mission of connecting people to inspiring science,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science. “We are deeply grateful to Bank of America, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, our sponsors, restaurants, spirit partners and guests whose generosity helps us expand access to STEM education and create life-changing learning experiences for families across South Florida. We look forward to celebrating the 30th Annual event next year as we continue this incredible tradition of community support and discovery.”
Guests indulged in a legendary Grand Tasting featuring wines and spirited libations courtesy of exclusive beverage sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, along with a selection of craft beers on tap in the Beer Garden from Florida’s favorite breweries and beyond, courtesy of Gold Coast Beverage. Participating partners included Aguasol Tequila, Athletic Brewing, Barrel of Monks, Barton & Gustier, Beam Suntory, Biscayne Bay Brewing, Blind Lemon Brewing, Campari America, Cigar City Brewing, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, Craft & Art Wine and Spirits, Delegat USA, Diageo, Fifth Generation, Fiji Water, Foley Family Wines, Founders Brewing, FXMUSA, Gonzalez Byass, Gulf Stream Distillery, Hampton Water, Hope Family Wines, Just Good Dudes, Long Drink, New Belgium Brewing, Oak Ridge Winery, Ole Smoky Distillery, Owens Mixers, Pernod Ricard USA, Phillips Distilling, Premium, Prestige Wine Import, Rodney Strong, Rock N Roll Tequila, Royal Wine, Sazerac, Shaw Ross, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Sophisticated Sand, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Sun Cruiser, Surfside, Tarpon River Brewing, The Tank Brewing, The Wine Group, Two Drums, Wagner Family Wine, Wes Brands and Wilson Creek.
The evening featured tantalizing small plates and decadent desserts from South Florida’s leading restaurants including Another Fare to Remember, Arc Culinary, Boatyard, Crepemaker, Coyo Taco, Eddie V’s, Exquisite Catering, Original Fat Cats (2024 People’s Choice Culinary Runner-Up), Fireman Derek’s, Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Graze & Brie, Culinary Affairs, Grateful Palate, JC Beans, Jerk Machine, Nothing Bundt Cake, Seasons 52, Shooters (2024 People’s Choice Culinary Third Place), Sunness Supper Club, Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, Union Kitchen, YOLO and Yonutz.
Part of the delectable evening included fan favorite voting. Rock N Roll Tequila maintained its position of first place as the People’s Choice Beverage Winner, with second place going to Delegat USA and third place to Shaw Ross.
Original Fat Cats took this year’s top honors as the People’s Choice Culinary Winner (moving up from second place last year) with Union Kitchen & Bar coming in second place and YOLO in third place.
“Bank of America is excited to continue its partnership with MODS for this exceptional community celebration,” said Jason Edelmann, president, Bank of America Fort Lauderdale. “By supporting MODS, we’re helping provide families and students the meaningful learning experiences that enrich lives and strengthen our communities.”
In between the voting and bites, guests bid on an array of silent auction luxury items, including travel getaways, local entertainment packages, celebrity sports memorabilia and more.
Major sponsors of MODS’ 29th Annual Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration are Bank of America (Presenting Sponsor); Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Beverage Sponsor); Gold Coast Beverage (Beer Sponsor); Doubletime Digital (Print Sponsor); JM Lexus (Grand Arrival Sponsor); JetBlue (After Party Sponsor); Centuric (VIP Wristbands Sponsor); Stiles (Bar Sponsor); Brown & Brown, DEX Imaging, M. Austin & Christine Forman, Publix Super Markets Charities, Rick Case Automotive Group and Truist (Valet Sponsors); BankUnited, Lochrie & Chakas, P.A., R2 Squared and Shiff Construction & Development (Silent Auction Sponsors); City Furniture and Yelp (Registration Sponsors); 5/3 Bank, Amazon, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, Blue Compass, Brett Hart, City of Deerfield Beach, CTS Engines, Dominick & Meike Miniaci, Florida Power and Light, Flynn Wealth Management Group, Greenberg Traurig, JM Family Enterprises, Joe Cox & Jeremy Collette, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Leo Goodwin Foundation, Marsh McLennan Agency, Northern Trust, Ron L. Book, P.A., Sysco, UKG, Wells Fargo and WSVN (Platinum Hosts); ABA Centers of Florida, Ana Benedetti, Brightstar Credit Union, Broward Health, Dawn Desrochers, Debra Hixon, Gray Robinson, Greenspoon Marder, LLP, Holman, Kit Lee, Merrill, T&S Associates, Inc., Team FootWorks, Truly Nolen and Xpress Entertainment (Grand Tasting Hosts).
# # #
Meredith Feder, Joe Cox, Elliot Borkson and Rose Pontorno
Rep. Chip LaMarca. Joe Cox and Lisa Davis
David Greenberg, Tracey Minkin, Chaz Warrington and Dyan Delfin
Juliet Roulhac and Derrick Ali
Shannon Clay, Alan Somerstein and Abigail Somerstein
Joey Masucci, Lucretia Weiner, Katie Masucci, Claudette Pagano, Bich-ly Ludwig and Beatriz Miniacci
Elliott Flynn and Dr. Katie Lozada
Ani Marderosian and Sandra Juliachs
Eric Spann and Lindsay Spann
Rick and Flo Celender
The Museum of Discovery and Science’s 29th Annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary celebration was a scrumptious success in raising funds to support science, education, innovation and exploration in South Florida
Photos credit: Michael Murphy Photography for the Museum of Discovery and Science
Editor’s Note: High-resolution photos are available upon request.
Posted: November 24, 2025
