May 2012 Food & Wine Events Calendar
Seasonal
Tip:
HARICOTS
VERTS (French green beans) are their best
this month. Also, look for these spring items
in markets and on restaurant menus: red onions,
sweet basil, mangoes and fresh goat cheeses. |
May
2-5
Washington, DC — 12th Annual Heart's Delight Wine Tasting & Auction |
Master winemakers and top chefs such as David Myers, Adam Sobel, Stephanie Izard and Graham Elliot gather to play and bid at the yearly wine tasting and
auction that benefits The American Heart Association. The event kicks off on Wednesday with an evening featuring the best American wines. Thursday will offer intimate
wine dinners with an international flair all over the city. On Friday, folks can enjoy an
exclusive Vintners Dinner at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, while on Saturday you can take a virtual tour of Bordeaux. The wine weekend then rounds out with a seated tasting, seminars, food, and live and silent auctions. Participating wineries include Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Opus One, Château Lafon-Rochet, D.R. Stephens Estate and many others. Tickets range from $250-$2,000. For more information, call 703-248-1720 or visit www.heartsdelightwineauction.org
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May 3
Lexington, KY — Sixth Annual Kentucky Bluegrass Wine Auction
The Kentucky Bluegrass Wine Auction & Derby Gala is a unique event held during one
of the most exciting weeks of the year in Kentucky — Derby Week! The auction is held
at the beautiful Donamire Farm. In six short years, this event has raised over 4 million
dollars in support of the Foundation's mission in the fight against cancer. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with an exclusive vintner pouring and silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction. Participating
vintners include Blackbird Vineyards, Charles Krug, Domaine Serene, Kendall-Jackson Estate Wines, Reynolds Family Vineyards, Revana Family Vineyards, Rombauer Vineyards, Roy Estate, Silver Oak Cellars, Tor Kenward Family Wines and Twomey Cellars. Tickets are $700 per couple. For more information, call 888-388-2620 or visit www.lexingtonfoundation.org |
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Covering all aspects of the industry — from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors
and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects — the James Beard Awards
are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America.
The awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Nominees
and winners are fêted at a weekend of events in New York City that has become the
social and gastronomic highlight of the year. For more information and tickets, visit www.jbfawards.com |
May 5
Ka'anapali, HI — 23rd
Annual Maui Onion Festival
Once again, Whalers Village will celebrate all things onion at the 23rd annual Maui
Onion Festival. Guests enjoy gourmet delights in the food booths, chef demonstrations
and recipe contests. Local chefs will demonstrate their unique recipes using the Sweet
Maui Kula Onion, said to be the sweetest onion in the world. The Maui Onion Festival
has been a signature event at Whalers Village since 1990. Each year, it is enjoyed
by thousands of visitors and residents fascinated by the cultivation and preparation
of the world-famous Sweet Maui Kula Onion. Enjoy live performances throughout
the day. Admission is free, and guests who spend $150 receive a free Maui Onion
Festival gift. For more information, contact Whalers Village at 808-661-4567 or visit www.whalersvillage.com |
May
5-6
Mountain View, CA — A La
Carte & Art |
The Bay
Area's bustling festival season kicks off in Mountain View at this vibrant
springtime celebration featuring savory ethnic and classic American foods, premium
wines and microbrews, cooking demonstrations, a juried art show, lots of music and fun
for kids. Downtown will be transformed into a moveable feast of strolling people and
colorful tents. Get your fill of gourmet sausages, crêpes, marinated artichokes, barbecue
chicken, fresh fruits, organic produce and more. Located on Castro Street between
Church Street and Evelyn Avenue, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Admission is free. For more
information, call 650-964-3395 or visit www.miramarevents.com |
May
16-20
Nantucket, MA — Nantucket Wine
Festival |
Over the past 15 years the Nantucket Wine Festival has blossomed into one of the
nation's most celebrated wine and food events. With the help of Nantucket landmark
hotel, The White Elephant, most of this year's festival will be staged entirely in the heart
of downtown Nantucket. Events include The Grand Tasting taking place in the newly
renovated Nantucket Yacht Club, The Harbor Gala dinner event at The
White Elephant and seminars led by cheese experts Ihsan Gurdal and Matt Jennings. For
more information, visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com |
May
16-20
San
Antonio, TX — Culinaria Wine and Culinary Arts Festival
Set against the backdrop of San Antonio's unique Spanish Colonial architecture and celebrated River Walk, the Festival explores the city's Latin and European culinary and cultural roots in the company of wines with world-class credentials. On Wednesday, take part in Sip, Savor and Walk at The Shops at La Cantera, enjoy winemaker dinners at restaurants across the city on Thursday, taste the Best of Mexico on Friday night, be dazzled at The Grand Tasting on Saturday night and kick back with Burgers, BBQ and Beer at The Pearl on Sunday at noon. Tickets range from $35 to $125 per event. For more information, visit www.culinariasa.com |
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More than a dozen noted chefs from every region of the United States will act as ambassadors of sustainable dining at Cooking for Solutions. The focus will be on great cuisine from sources that protect the health of the oceans and the land. Celebrity chefs will create memorable gourmet dishes, host one-of-a-kind food and wine adventures and present cooking demonstrations that feature sustainable seafood. More than 60 chefs and 70 wineries will be present, including Rick Bayless, Michael Chiarello and Sam Choy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.montereybayaquarium.org |
May
18-20
Paso Robles, CA — 30th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival |
The Paso Robles Wine Festival celebrates wine country by bringing nearly 80 wineries to
the Downtown City Park. In addition, local artisans and chefs will be found throughout
the weekend engaging their cuisine in a dance that highlights the best of both food and
wine. Taste award-winning wines from Paso Robles wineries pouring their top bottles at
this 30th annual event. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com |
May
19
Los Angeles, CA — 23rd Annual Culinary Evening with
the California Winemasters |
Benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, this 23rd annual celebration — which draws
esteemed wineries and chefs each year — takes place at the "Midwest Street" backlot of
Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank. Craig Strong (Studio Restaurant at Montage Laguna
Beach — one of our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.) is this year's Honorary Chairman,
along with the Schweiger Family of Schweiger Vineyards. More than 65 California
wineries and 45 celebrity chefs across the nation will tantalize the over 1,200 expected
guests. Individual tickets cost $375 each (of which $250 is tax-deductible) and table
packages range from $2,000 to $10,000. The event is held from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For
more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.californiawinemasters.org |
May
22-26
New Orleans, LA — 20th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience |
Experience the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans through its local cuisine paired with
wines from around the world. This five-day vinicultural and culinary experience kicks off
with the Ella Brennan Award Dinner & Auction. At the
center of the 20th edition are the Grand Tastings, featuring 175 wineries (Bernardus Winery, Sonoma Cutrer, Markham Vineyards, Michael David Winery, Miner Family Winery, Wilson Daniels Roth and Lancaster Estate) and 75 chefs, as well as a cooking demonstration
stage. A variety of seminars will be offered, and not to be missed is the
Royal Street Stroll on Thursday, an evening outdoor event showcasing the lively city's art scene and
architecture alongside live jazz and wine offerings. Event tickets can be purchased
individually; or take in most everything with the 2012 "Grand Taster" package. For
tickets and more information, call 504-583-5550 or visit www.nowfe.com
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Main Calendar
(Updated:
02/06/12 BH) |
