Taste of the Islands Celebrates 40 Years of Showcasing Sanibel's Culinary Gems

Annual fundraiser and 'friend-raiser' for the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife features diverse cuisine from local restaurants

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:35pm

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The 'Taste of the Islands' event, Sanibel's longest-running fundraiser, is back this year after a pandemic hiatus. The annual event allows attendees to sample dishes from local restaurants and vote for their favorites, all while supporting the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. This year's event features a diverse array of cuisine, from traditional Italian dishes to healthy Thai offerings, highlighting the culinary talents of the Sanibel community.

Why it matters

The 'Taste of the Islands' event is more than just a food festival - it's a way for the Sanibel community to come together, support a local non-profit, and showcase the diverse culinary offerings the island has to offer. In a time when many small, independent restaurants are struggling, this event provides a platform for them to connect with new customers and highlight their unique specialties.

The details

The event will feature dishes from a variety of local restaurants, including the Italian eatery Tutti Pazzi. Tutti Pazzi will be serving up items like squash and pumpkin ravioli with a brown butter sage sauce, as well as traditional Italian biscotti. The restaurant is known for its focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and accommodating dietary restrictions like gluten-free and vegetarian. Other participating restaurants will offer everything from Thai cuisine to adult beverages, providing a diverse sampling of Sanibel's culinary scene.

  • The 'Taste of the Islands' event will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2025 from 11 AM to 4 PM.
  • This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event, which is Sanibel's longest-running fundraiser.

The players

Tutti Pazzi

An Italian restaurant on Sanibel Island known for its focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and accommodating dietary restrictions like gluten-free and vegetarian.

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

The non-profit organization that hosts the 'Taste of the Islands' event, with the proceeds going towards its mission of saving wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“We really pay a lot of attention to different with different food choices. People a gluten free vegetarian. And we because we use a lot of our products imported from Italy, the very clean products, right? And so we're able to do it somewhere in all of the newts type of restaurant.”

— Pasquale Calzolaro, Co-owner, Tutti Pazzi

“Taste of the Islands. As we mentioned, longest running fundraiser, but also friend raiser for CROW. Yeah, you know, people come out to support. And our mission of saving wildlife but also get to sample all of the wonderful restaurants who have partnered with for over 40 years.”

— Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director, CROW

What’s next

Tickets for the main 'Taste of the Islands' event on August 17th are already available for purchase online at www.tasteoftheislands.org.

The takeaway

The 'Taste of the Islands' event is a beloved annual tradition in Sanibel that brings the community together to celebrate the island's diverse culinary offerings while supporting an important local non-profit. This year's 40th anniversary event promises to be a delicious and festive affair, showcasing the best of what Sanibel has to offer.