On April 6, the
Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair returns for its 14th year with four days of dinners, events, seminars, a Grand Tasting and a two-day Sip & Stroll with loads of notable chefs from around the country already on board.
Some of the big names heading to town include Andrew Curren (
Food & Wine's “People’s Best New Chef” nominee and
Top Chef: Texas contestant), Greg Baker (Beard semifinalist for Best Chef South and Best New Restaurant), Edward Lee (
Mind of a Chef host and
Top Chef: Texas contestant) and Master Sommeliers Craig Collins and Drew Hendricks. They'll join highly regarded local chefs, including Bryan Caswell, Antoine Ware and Richard Knight, to name a few.
Located in Fort Bend County, regarded as the most ethnically diverse county in America, this year's Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will focus on the area's many African, Asian, Latino, European and Southwestern influences. The event has partnered with UK-based events company IWSC Group North, who've also planned Atlanta Food & Wine, Cochon555 and more major events, to bring this year's festivities to life. So what's in store, you ask?
click to enlarge Photo courtesy of Sugar Land Food And Wine Affair
Dinners
On Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m.,
The Boiling Point dinner puts a creative spin on a seafood boil at Duhacsek Park hosted by big-name chefs David Bancroft, Bryan Caswell and Edward Lee, with a menu including Texan BBQ blue crabs, booze, confections from Rebecca Masson and much more. Proceeds benefit the Southern Salt Foundation. $150/person.
Also on April 6 at 7:30 p.m,
The Italian Invasion: Italy and the Rest of the World mixes a fun blind judging/battle of wines with a coursed, alfresco Italian meal in the Sugar Land Town Square, prepared by chef Andrew Curren (TX) and master somms Craig Collins and Drew Hendricks. $200/person.
A
Cured & Fermented Lunch at Bacon Bros. Public House happens on Friday, April 7, from noon to 2 p.m. with a deep dive into curing and fermentation processes and a family-style lunch from Georgia chef Kevin Ouzts and Texas chef Joseph Zerwas showcasing all things salted, brined and smoked, from salumi to pickles, with author and somm Jason Tesauro in charge of beverage pairings. $100/person.
click to enlarge Tastings galore
Photo courtesy of Sugar Land Food and Wine Affair
Learning Experiences
From fermentation to all things rosé, this year's seminars cover a bit of culinary ground and are included in Friday, Saturday and three-day passes.
Grand Tasting
On Friday, April 7, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square's ballroom with dishes by top culinary talent and wine, beer and cocktail pairings. Held in the elegant ballroom of the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. The night also includes a Grand Auction to benefit the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management. $125/person.
Sip & Stroll
This leisurely booze- and food-fueled stroll hits the streets on Saturday, April 8, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with tastings from area restaurants, cocktails and wine, and a new beer garden. $65/person for either day.
Three-day passes are also available for $325, or you can snag a Friday or Saturday pass for $150. All tickets are
available for purchase online.