There are many reasons for people to celebrate New Orleans as their home. Our unique culture includes a passion for food and an insatiable need to find occasions to celebrate. We have festivals for each of our major local food groups: alligator, strawberries, catfish, and gumbo - you name it. We consume and name festivals after anything that isn’t poisonous or endangered, and even these we’re probably working on recipes for. We find joy in food and celebrations! That’s why it should not surprise anyone to learn that we are home to one of the nation’s most prestigious culinary festivals, The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE).
People travel from around the nation to attend this event, and we’re so fortunate to have it in our own backyard. This annual tribute to great wine and food is celebrating its 18th anniversary this spring with a four-day extravaganza. Every year, NOWFE is tweaked to add fun events to keep it fresh. This year is no exception, with more than 250 wineries represented at a series of indoor and outdoor events. Following is the schedule of 2009 events:
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Vintner Dinners are held at venues all over town. Typically, a wine maker or other winery principal is paired with famous local restaurants. The dinners are usually a very special menu matched to selected wines. The result is an exceptional culinary experience, mingled with fun and education. Take a look at the www.nowfe.com website to find out who the participants are this year. Make your reservations in advance, because a lot of the dinners will sell out.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Royal Street Experience is a lively stroll down one of the city’s most famous streets, armed only with a map and a wine glass. Wineries man “filling stations” among the many antique shops, art galleries, and fun places along the way, and musicians and food stations are also set up to entertain and feed ticketed strollers. Again, buy tickets in advance, for this event tends to sell out quickly.
The Vinola Tasting and Auction is an event that debuted in 2007. It is a super-premium tasting with once-in-a-lifetime wine-related items and experiences up for bid. All wines that are sampled at this exclusive tasting retail for over $75 a bottle. Wineries and other generous contributors donate wine trips and special cuvees which are featured in a silent auction.
FEASTiVAL is this year’s new premier event. This gala brings together America’s favorite celebrity chefs for a “feast” of signature dishes paired with exclusive wines. This is hosted by New Orleans’ own John Besh, and other celebrity chefs participating include Paul Kahan of Chicago, Michel Richard of Washington D.C., Marc Vetri of Philadelphia, Neal Frasier of Los Angeles and Rick Brown, the King of Barbeque.
Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23
Each of the Seminar Series sessions for 2009 includes food from celebrated local chefs and exciting discussions about what is “hot” in the wine world. Topics range from “Tete de Cuvee”champagnes from top producers, to the 1999 vintage of Napa Cabernets, to the sweet-tooth lover ports served with pastries. The seminars are educational and entertaining, and you can check out the website to find topics that may interest you.
Grand Tastings are held on Friday from 5-8 PM and on Saturday from 1-4PM at the New Orleans Superdome. Over 75 Chefs and more than 1000 wines will be featured. This is the ultimate wine tasting. Typically a representative from each winery participating will be present to help guide you through the different nuances of the wines being poured. The wonderfully prepared local food favorites are delicious and plentiful. Mardi Gras floats and bands parade throughout the dome to provide a fun backdrop for the event. Plenty of seating is available if you need to take a break from the action.
The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is an event that captures the heart and soul of our city. It is a non-profit event which donates over $125,000 to support local programs and foundations. Take a look at the NOWFE website for specific event times and pricing so you can plan your days in advance. Many local hotels offer special rates for the festival, and it’s a good idea to take advantage of these deals in light of the amount of imbibing going on. If you want to take a spring break from the weekly grind, try being a tourist in your own interesting town. NOWFE is a very special, fun event that you don’t want to miss.