For over twenty years, the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival (May 15-19) has brought distinguished chefs and winemakers together for a world-class epicurean celebration. Over the course of five days, the island comes alive with prestigious tastings, lunches, dinners and educational seminars.
“We are thrilled with the culinary star power for this year’s festival. The new faces and diverse styles keep our programming fresh and exciting.” – Nancy Bean, Executive Director.
Celebrating Women in Food – Featured Events
This year’s festival has a strong focus on celebrating women in the food and wine industry. Signature events Dames Déjeuner honoring women chefs, vintners and sommeliers and La Fête with the theme Women in Whites both include an all-star female cast. These much anticipated events will feature chefs Tracy Chang, (PAGU), Renae Connolly (Benedetto), Silvia Barban (LaRina), Elizabeth Falkner (Chef/Author),Maura Kilpatrick (Sofra Bakery & Cafe), Anita Lo (Chef/Author) and Cassie Piuma (Sarma). Honorees include chefs Karen Akunowicz(Fox & the Knife) and Lydia Shire (Scampo).
The excitement is on-going in the Culinary Tent at The White Elephant Village with two days of non-stop culinary action. Enjoy chef demos on the culinary stage, restaurant samplings from guest chefs Jamie Bissonnette (Little Donkey), Thai Dang (HaiSous), Will Gilson (Puritan & Company) and many more!
Great Wines in Grand Houses: Wine Dinners
Hosted in private Nantucket homes and historical landmarks, guests will break bread with renowned winemakers and world-class chefs. These elegant dinners include:
o Vintage Bordeaux Wine Dinner with Acker Merrall and Chef Tyler Kinnett (Harvest)
o Tenuta di Trinoro Wine Dinner with Chef Karen Akunowicz (Fox & the Knife)
o Château Talbot Wine Dinner with Chef Sebastien Pourrat (Cocotte)
o Ceretto Wine Dinner with Chef Michael Scelfo (Alden & Harlow)
An extravagant soirée featuring 40 renowned chefs and 40 winemakers from around the world. This elegant walk-around event takes place at the White Elephant overlooking Nantucket Harbor. After the Gala, switch your formal shoes for your cowboy boots and head to the official Southern-Style After Party with TexansKatherine Clapner (Dude, Sweet Chocolate), Felix Florez (Black Hill Ranch), Felipe Riccio (Goodnight Hospitality), John Tesar (Knife, Dallas) and Kevin Williamson (Ranch 616).
Special Wine Dinners
o Ken Freeman Wine Dinner with Chefs Ken Tominaga and Ben Steigers (PABU)
o Mangia! Italian Wine Dinner with Santa Margherita and Chef Colin Lynch (Bar Mezzana)
Seminars and Special Events
o Rustic Elegance: Oregon Wine Luncheon
An afternoon of fine-dining and iconic Oregon wines with chefs Aaron Meneghelli (FARM at Carneros), Jeff Michaud (Osteria) and Michael Scelfo (Alden & Harlow).
It started in Provence and is now a global phenomenon. Learn how Provence put rosé on the map. French-inspired dishes by chefs Brian Alberg (The Red Lion Inn) and Terence Feury (Forty 1° North).
Take off for the rolling hills of Tuscany for a leisurely afternoon tasting experience. Explore legendary wines of Tuscany and Italian fare from guest chefs Silvia Barban (LaRina), Cesare Casella (Salumi Casella), Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Donnell (SRV), Brian Mercury (Oak + Rowan), Marc Orfaly(ReelHouse), and more!
This signature tasting event includes over 150 prominent wineries from around the world, along with special tastes from New England favorites Talulla, Deadhorse Hill, Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, Fat Baby, The Reluctant Panther and the culinary team behind Longwood Venues.
