Last weekend was a full of so many interesting exciting and exclusive events and parties, but so few with a purpose and promise of helping others.

The United Way has held their Wine and Food festival for the past 16 years, bringing together some the top local restaurants and chefs to the delight of all those participating. This annual event brings together food and wine lovers for a now expanded four-day festival featuring notable chefs, sommeliers, prestigious wineries and winemakers, celebrity mixologists, breweries and impressive auction lots.

This year, one of the nation’s most prolific apostles of Progressive American cuisine, Chef Dewey LoSasso, executive chef of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar headlined the Interactive Dinner.

We also enjoyed a Sunday at the Brews & Bites Craft Beer Tasting presented by CBIZ at Mary Brickell Village, featuring bites from area restaurants, live entertainment, craft beers and micro-brews from around the world including: Narraganssett Brewing, Blue Point Brewing, Shipyard/Sea Dog Brewing, Abita Brewing Company, The Boston Beer Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Sierra Nevada, Stone Brewing and many more.  Admission to the event included a commemorative tasting cup to add to my collection.

Amid all the invitations this weekend offered, it always feels good to enjoy good company, good food, good wine and help a great cause that does so much in the areas of education, income and health. Being able to taste dishes from Acqua at Four Seasons Hotel, AltaMare, Meat Market, Ortanique on the Mile, Season’s 52, Timo Restaurant, and Two Chefs while being able to contribute the United Way definitely made this a haute event to make your conscience feel good.

Follow me on Twitter @NickPBetancourt.

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