2011 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

Grab your fork and your corkscrew, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, which ranks in the Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the U.S. and fourth in the World according to the TripAdvisor Annual Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards, has announced plans are underway for the upcoming 2011 event. The five-day bacchanalia, which will take place May 24 – 28, features dozens of local chefs, many of whom are nationally known, and aims to place a spotlight on the region’s many indigenous ingredients. Thousands of wines and champagnes from over 175 wineries will be paired with food from more than 75 restaurants at various events throughout the extravaganza.

“The culinary power of our region is so outstanding that we want to showcase our chefs and our food for the world to see,” states incoming NOWFE President Kevin Kimball. “The Wine & Food Experience gives us the opportunity to do just that, while sharing a love of wine in our beloved city.” Each year NOWFE, a “perennial ‘Top Ten’ Wine and Food festival,” as noted in Wine Enthusiast, offers a wide variety of seminars and demonstrations hosted by local and visiting chefs, as well as world-renowned winemakers, allowing guests a rare opportunity to meet some of these industry insiders.

The 2011 event will kick off on Tuesday with the Ella Brennan Award Dinner & Live Auction, followed by wine dinners in some of New Orleans’ most notable restaurants on Wednesday, the traditional Royal Street Stroll and Vinola Tasting on Thursday, and culminating with Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday. “NOWFE is a major tourism attraction for our city and as such we have a responsibility to host a wine and culinary experience like no other,” remarks Jamie Peckenpaugh, NOWFE’s new Executive Director. “I am excited about the programs we have planned; I believe everyone will find something to satisfy their tastes.”

Highlights of this year’s event include Chef John Folse, with renowned Chef Rick Tramonto, who will present a revolutionary take on Creole cuisine inspired by their new local venture; and special tastings from the Chianti Region presented by the Culinary School at Badia a Coltibuono.

Other featured seminars and events of the 2011 schedule include:

Effervescence Everyday: Discover world-class sparkling wines made in the Champagne method and see how they measure up.

Eat, Stay, Love: Join local chefs as they prepare culinary delights from their unique restaurants that just happen to be situated in hotels. The lovin’ is up to you.

Kindred Ingredients: Louisiana Crawfish and Rice seminar presented by Chef Donald Link (Cochon, Herbsaint, Cochon Butcher)

Honing your Craft: Forever change the way you think about serving and enjoying craft beer presented by Spiegelau & local brewmasters.

Bubbly Personalities: A comparison look at the Champagne House’s personal style and some of the Vintages they have created.

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the 2010 event benefited the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, The University of New Orleans, School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Program, The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Program, The John Folse Culinary Institute, Delgado Culinary Arts School, Cancer Crusaders, Girls First, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), Southern Animal Foundation (SAF), Coach Sean Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation, and Fore!Kids Foundation. NOWFE 2011 will be held May 24 – 28, 2011.