Westchester Magazine’s Third Annual Wine & Food Weekend will be held June 6-9, 2013 at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester in White Plains, NY. As the premiere wine and food experience in the county, the Wine & Food Weekend will feature some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, critically acclaimed restaurants, hottest specialty food products and some of the wine world’s most sought-after vintages.
Foodies and oenophiles alike will enjoy four days of pure heaven savoring some of the area’s finest food and the world’s best wines. Experience restaurants and gourmet/specialty products; Celebrity Chef demonstrations; wine, beer and spirit tastings; wine seminars; a Winemakers Dinner; and a Burger & Beer Bash. The Wine & Food Weekend, whose title sponsors are The Journal News and The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, is not to be missed. New this year to the event is Zachys as Wine Partner.
Some of the events planned are as follows:
BURGERS, BBQ & BEER BASH – On Thursday evening, June 6 from 6-10pm, 30 local restaurants will serve up their signature burgers at this opening event at the Kensico Dam Plaza. Complementary beer pairings by Manhattan Beer Distributors and cocktails by Pernod Ricard will enhance the foods, and live music by Mary C and The Stellars will set the tone for an exciting weekend to come. Proceeds from the Burger Bash will benefit Friends of Westchester County Parks.
THE GRAND TASTING – On Saturday, June 8 (11:30 am-3:30 pm) and Sunday, June 9 (noon-4 pm), a gastronomic showcase will give attendees the opportunity to sample the best of Westchester’s restaurants, one bite at a time. A gathering of 60 of Westchester’s best restaurants (30 per day) will present their finest foods. In addition, more than 220 wines from across the world and select top-shelf spirits will be available for sampling in the beautiful Grand Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester.
EXPERT WINE SEMINARS & COCKTAIL CLINICS – Wine expert Kevin Zraly, who was Wine Director at Windows on the World in the World Trade Center from 1976-2001, will be returning to the event to teach three exciting seminars: Kevin Zraly’s Best Wines Under $30, Grand Cru Vineyards of New York, Oregon and Washington, and new, this year, Zraly will offer a Connoisseurs/Master Tasting of Brunello Di Montalcino. Spirits seminars will be announced shortly. Wine seminars will take place during Grand Tasting sessions.
SPARKLING SUNDAY BRUNCH – A Sparkling Sunday Brunch will be held on Sunday, June 9 (11:00 am – 2:00 pm) at 42 The Restaurant, Westchester’s stunning restaurant perched atop The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester.
CELEBRITY CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS – Food TV comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester! Enjoy a rolling program of live cooking demonstrations by famous chefs preparing some of their signature dishes in person. Learn cooking secrets directly from the masters and sample their freshly cooked food, get cookbooks signed and more. Chef demonstrations will also take place during Grand Tasting sessions and are accessible to guests who have purchased a Grand Tasting ticket. Confirmed demo chefs include Eric Gabrynowicz and Stephen Paul Mancini of Restaurant North, David DiBari of The Cookery Restaurant and Michael Psilakis of MP Taverna.
THE WINEMAKERS DINNER – A formal, sit-down dinner catered by Westchester’s best chefs will honor The Livanos Family of Livanos Restaurant Group and Adam Strum, founder of Wine Enthusiast Companies. Set amidst the luxury of the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, attendees will enjoy a rare, fine dining experience of food and wine pairings created and prepared by five of the Hudson Valley’s most distinguished chefs and led by Honorary Dinner Chair, Chef Peter X. Kelly. Seating will be limited for this very special occasion.
Tickets and additional details for the event are available online at www.westchestermagazine.com/wineweekend and will be announced as they become available. For more information about Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Weekend, or to become a sponsor, please call 914.345.0601 at ext. 112 or email pr@westchestermagazine.com.
