Making it to 25 is a huge milestone–while I was pretty sure I’d see 25, I had some friends I was worried about. The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with some really cool events and a really cool deal–tix to Sunday Faire are only $25!
If you’re a Wine and Food newbie, here are the top five events (check the site for all the others):
THURSDAY APRIL 15 Texas Culinary Masters 6:30pm – 9:30pm BUY NOW – $150
The Four Seasons Hotel – Lakeside Lawn
The grandaddy of events always features masterful chefs and multiple courses. This year, nationally-acclaimed chef Kent Rathbun (of Abacus and Jaspers in Dallas), Stephan Pyles (of Stephan Pyles Restaurant in Dallas) and Brian Caswell (of Reef restaurant in Houston) will join TRIO’s Elmar Prambs and Naomi Gallego to create an amazing dinner under the stars. If you’ve got the dough, go. Sells out quickly.
THURSDAY APRIL 15 Texas25 7:00pm – 9:00pm BUY NOW – $25
Whole Foods Market – Rooftop Plaza
A brand new event this year, the brainchild of a new executive director is a $25 event featuring 25+ reasons we love Texas—all related to food and drink. The perfect intro to the Texas Wine & Food festival!
FRIDAY APRIL 16 Stars Across Texas Grand Tasting 7:00pm – 10:00pm BUY NOW – $100
Stars Across Texas VIP Lounge
Long Center for the Performing Arts
Like the Culinary Masters dinner, this is an amazing feast from celeb chefs. But unlike the more intimate dinner, Stars Across Texas is a gala affair on the patio of the Long Center, with sweeping vistas of downtown and sweeping gowns all around. Also … it gets lively once the wine starts flowing!
SATURDAY APRIL 17 Local Focus: Texas Wine & Cheese Pairing – $50
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Whole Foods Market Culinary Center
For cheese lovers, this is a can’t-miss event. World-renowned cheese expert Cathy Strange of Whole Foods will teach you the synergy and sense in pairing Texas wines with Texas cheeses. It’s art, so learn it.
SUNDAY APRIL 18TH
Sunday Fair 12noon – 5:00pm BUY NOW – $25
The Vineyards at The Salt Lick
Everybody’s favorite low-key wine and food event is the cheapest it’s been in years–just $25! Head out to Driftwood for booths filled with wine, food, and goodies from local wineries, restaurants, companies, and more. It’s a grown-up festival that’s fun rain or shine (trust me, last year was rain and it was still a muddy blast!)
Go here to order tix or check out any of the other events: http://www.texaswineandfood.org/