Gotta admit that I am a food geek who has been anxiously awaiting the opening of Whole Foods in Coral Gables. I loved shopping at Whole Foods in California and though I wouldn’t trek to the Aventura store, I did trek all the way to Fairfax, Virginia to visit the store there. Actually, I was visiting family and we just made this a side trip to plan dinner.
Geek that I am I signed up for the pre-opening behind the scenes tour today and enjoyed eating my way through the isles. In addition to fresh squeezed orange juice, bananas, cookies, cake, a turkey empanada with mango chutney, and Parmesan cheese, we were treated to a wine tasting in their Whole Lifestyle Center, a community-hall style room for cooking demonstrations and wine tastings.
They have several tastings coming up: Sangria on Thursday, September 27 from 7-8:30, Intro to Organic Wined Friday, September 28 from 7-8:30, Caviar and Moet Champagne Tasting on Saturday, September 29 from 7-8 and a Cheese and Wine Pairing on Sunday, September 30 from 4-5. The Cheese and Wine Pairing is a fundraiser for The Pet Project, which helps individuals with disabling illnesses keep their pets.
I am looking forward to the lifestyle center offerings as much as I am to the store opening. I don’t like to shop and find grocery shopping especially tedious, but I like cruising (and tasting my way) through the isles at Whole Foods. It can bring out the cook in anyone. And if you don’t like to cook, take home their delicious meals. A nice change from rotisserie chicken!