Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival Extravaganza Is Set For October 17-18
Maggie White, president of The Edgartown Board of Trade, today announced the schedule of events for the 2008 Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival. From October 17 – 19, visitors and residents are invited to attend cooking demonstrations, food & wine tastings, culinary seminars, and wine dinners featuring the area’s finest chefs, farmers, and specialty food purveyors. This distinguished group of professionals will host more than 13 events all highlighting fresh, local ingredients.
Festival Opening Reception – Friday, October 17
The Food & Wine Festival will begin on Friday, October 17, at 5:00 p.m. with a reception at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum – Small Plates from the Grill Grates. BBQ masters Andy Husbands, chef/owner of Tremont 647 in Boston, and Dante de Magistris, chef/owner of dante in Cambridge and the soon-to-open Il Casale in Belmont, will grill island-raised meats, seafood, and produce for guests to sample. Wine historian Nina Wemyss will pour a selection of vintages chosen to accompany the smoky, subtle flavors of BBQ. Guests can place bids on cases of rare wines during a silent auction while listening to live jazz music by Jeremy Berlin. Tickets are $100 and proceeds will benefit the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
Following the cocktail party, Festival attendees can choose from one of the
pre fixé wine dinners offered by Edgartown restaurants at 7:30 p.m. Participating restaurants to date include Atria, Détente, and l’Etoile. Sharkey’s Cantina will host a Southwestern-themed dinner with pairings of Casa Noble Tequilas.
Culinary Seminars – Saturday, Oct. 18
Culinary experts will present seminars in Edgartown galleries and restaurants on Saturday, October 18. Seminar tickets range from to and include:
· Chocolate and Dessert Wine Pairings, by Lee Napoli of Chocolee Chocolates–2008 Best of Boston “Best Chocolates,” and Jonathan Alsop of The Boston Wine School
· Beer and Cheese, by The Vineyard’s own Offshore Ale and a selection of cheeses from Shy Brothers Farm, Westport, Mass.
· Bread and Olive Oil, by Joanne Chang, owner, Boston’s Flour Bakery, and Emmanuel Daskalakis of Aralia
· Classic Cocktails, by Lauren Clark of DrinkBoston
· Adventure with an Affineur, wine and cheese tasting, by Russo’s of Watertown resident wine & cheese expertMark Trumble
Children’s Camp at The Farm Institute – Saturday, October 18
The Food & Wine Festival has arranged a half-day camp for the children of Festival attendees. Participants will tour the farm and help care for the animals.
The camp is open to children ages 6 – 12 years of age and will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost per attendee is and the registration deadline is October 4. Camp reservations can be made on the Festival Website at www.mvfoodandwine.com.
Corn Maze – Saturday, Oct. 18 & Sunday, Oct. 19
For families to explore together, the famous corn maze at The Farm Institute will be open throughout the weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is for children under 13 and for guests over the age of 14. Tickets are available for purchase at The Farm Institute.
Grand Tasting, Oct. 18 – Chefs, Vintners, and Cookbook Authors
On Saturday, October 18, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host the Grand Tasting. Distinguished island chefs, including Kevin Crowell of Detente, Christian Thornton of Atria, Anthony Saccoccia of The Grill on Main,will demonstrate dishes prepared with local, in-season produce, meats, and seafood, highlighting each chef’s distinctive style. Noted vintners will pour wines for guests including Rombauer Vineyards, Duckhorn Wine Company, Liberty School Wine, and C. Donatiello Winery. Acclaimed cookbook authors,including Cathy Walthers and Chef Andy Husbands, will conduct a book signing. Tickets are $100.
Two Gourmand Dinners – Saturday, Oct.18
These dinners will be held at a private residence from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy flavorful fall menus while engaging in conversations with chefs and culinary experts on the benefits – and challenges – of eating locally in New England.
Food, Art, and Wine
Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table in Cambridge will prepare an island-grown masterpiece while noted Wine Historian Nina Wymess pairs each course with a selected vintage. With literary anecdotes and illustrations, Nina will explain the historical relationship between wine and art as well as its cultural significance. Margarit Mondavi of the Mondavi Winery will discuss her interest in uniting wine with the arts and the winery’s dedication to cultural programs. Tickets are $500.
Sustainable Seafood
Chef/Owner Jeremy Sewall of Lineage in Brookline, Mass. will walk diners through the process of preparing sustainable fish and shellfish. Heather Tausig, coordinator of the New England Aquarium’s Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series, will lead a discussion on the importance of shopping for and eating sustainable seafood. Chefs Collaborative’s new Sustainable Solutions seafood guide will be provided for guests. Tickets are $500.
Farmers’ Market and Brunch – Sunday, Oct. 19
The Festival will close on Sunday, October 19, with a Farmers’ Market and Brunch from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Local farmers will offer their fall harvest for sale. Guests can also purchase prepared brunch foods a la carte.
The Museum will be open for children to enjoy a complimentary craft activity while museum guides engage young festival attendees outdoors with historic games.
Ticket Information:
For more detailed information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mvfoodandwine.com. Tickets may also be purchased in Edgartown at The Christina Gallery and at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Please note: schedule subject to change.
