Tickets are now on sale for the 8th Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival, Friday, April 1 – Sunday, April 3, 2016, at the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ.
Over the past eight years, the Festival has become one of New Jersey’s premier food and wine events, attracting top chefs from around the United States, the world’s best winemakers, and craft spirits producers. This year, the Festival will be highlighting chefs from the Northeast, including two Top Chef winners from the hit Bravo TV series, Michelin-starred chefs from New York and, of course, the best of the Garden State. The 2016 Festival will benefit both the James Beard Foundation and Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.
The schedule of events is noted below…
Friday, April 1st…
Top Chefs & Top Wines Dinner: The dinner will feature five chefs, each preparing one course that is paired with a highly rated boutique wine. Two Bravo Top Chef winners will headline: Kevin Sbraga (winner Season 7, formerly of Rat’s) and Nicholas Elmi (winner Season 11), both now in Philadelphia, Joining will be another Top Chef alum, Dale Talde, who recently expanded from Brooklyn to Jersey City, NJ; Acclaimed Michelin star pastry chef Marc Aumont of NYC’s Gabriel Kreuther; and Restaurant Latour Chef de Cuisine, Martyna Krowicka. The dinner will take place at 8:00 p.m. and is priced at $225.00 per person (plus tax & gratuity).
Also on Friday Evening, Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wine Cellar will welcome Sebastiano Rosa of renowned Tuscan winery Sassicaia & Biserno, which produces some of the finest wines in Italy. Chef Anthony Bucco will be partnering with guest chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto (NYC) to create a unique six-course menu, which will also include a Krug Champagne reception with the chefs and winemaker. The reception is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.; dinner at 8:00 p.m. The cost is $375.00 per person (plus tax & gratuity).
Saturday, April 2nd…
Prosecco & Pancakes Breakfast ($10:00 a.m.; $35.00)… A Taste of Italy (12:00 noon; $35.00): Highlighting charcuterie, olive oils and wines from Castello di Gabbiano
Wine Maker Seminars… From Sassicaia to Biserno: Italy’s Finest Wines (1:00 p.m.; $65) with Sebastiano Rosa and Sassicaia wines; The Creation of an Award-Winning Winery (2:00 p.m.; $45) with Frank & Julie Husic of Napa Valley; Gruner Veltliner: The Hidden Gem of White Wines (12:00 noon; $35)
New Event: Chef & Farmer Culinary Showcase (1:00 p.m.; $50) will highlight the state’s agricultural diversity by pairing top New Jersey chefs, including Francesco Palmieri (The Orange Squirrel) and Bryan Gregg (Escape), with local farmers and purveyors, such as Bobolink Dairy, Happy harvest Hydroponics, and Resotration Agriculture.
Also new this year is an edition of New Jersey’s popular Iron Shaker (3:00 p.m.; $35) where four local bartenders will compete in two rounds with judges and the audience voting for their favorites.
Secrets of the Crystal Springs Cellar (3:00 p.m.; $150) returns with a tasting of rare wines from the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning Wine Cellar led by VP of Hospitality & Wine Director Robby Younes and Chef Bucco.
Additional seminars will premiere rosé wines of the 2015 vintage paired with sorbets and artisanal gelato (4:00 p.m.; $40) and feature George Dickel Whiskeys with hand-rolled cigars (4:00 p.m.; $40).
The Grand Tasting (7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) is the Festival’s centerpiece, a walk-around tasting with 25 top New Jersey and New York chefs and more than 30 wineries. Confirmed restaurants include Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Mistral, Maritime Parc, the Bernards Inn, Ninety Acres at Natirar, the Orange Squirrel, Osteria Morini, Terre á Terre, Hamilton Park, the Kitchen Step, Escape, Redux, Pig & Prince, Hotel du Village, Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Spuntino Wine Bar, BURG, Villalobos, Axia Taverna, Crystal Tavern, Lunello Andre’s, and more. VIP ticket holders gain access to the VIP lounge with exclusive Champagnes, wines, and restaurants, including tasting from Restaurant Latour, Michelin-starred Piora (NYC), and more. The cost is $135; VIP admission at 6:30 p.m., $250.
Meet the Chefs & Winemakers After Party: This extravagant annual party features live performances, a DJ, dancing, open bar, and delicious bites from Resort chefs. This year’s theme is inspired by Rio de Janeiro, the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The cost is $150.
Sunday, April 3rd: The Festival concludes with a Champagne Brunch, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., in the Crystal Ballroom. The cost is $50.00 (plus tax & gratuity).
For more information, or to purchase tickets, please click on www.njwinefoodfest.com or call (844) 207-3203.
Bon Appétit!
TAD
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