Montclair Food & Wine Festival Bourbon + Biergarten Party

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Bourbon + Biergarten Party

Tickets are on sale for the July 15th Bourbon + Biergarten Party from the Montclair Food & Wine Festival!

WHAT: An indoor/outdoor urban BBQ and libation extravaganza featuring an array of tastings from the region’s favorite restaurants, along with wine, beer and spirits curated by the Amanti Vino team. Live music by Street Beat Brass; Barbecue Competition for $500 Grand Prize (featuring defending champion Halcyon Brasserie!), Bluff City BBQ, Gus’s Seafood Market and other local favorites. Much more to come.

WHERE: The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair, NJ

WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2016, 7.00 – 10.00 pm

“Old Fashioned” Level: $95 (access to food, wine, beer + spirits tasting, live music)

“Manhattan” Level: $135 (entry one hour earlier, at 6.00 pm) 

“Pappy” Level: $1,850 (reserved indoor tables for eight guests … only nine available! Includes 6.00 pm admission,  table service and exclusive VIP cocktails)

To buy tickets to the event and for an updated list of participating restaurants and vendors, visit

MONTCLAIRFOODANDWINEFESTIVAL.ORG

Cheers,

Veronique

The Montclair Food & Wine Festival Speakeasy

The Montclair Food & Wine Festival Speakeasy

SpeakeasyMontclair Food & Wine Festival and Amanti Vino present The Speakeasy – a clandestine affair set in the grandeur of THE WELLMONT THEATER on Saturday January 28.

Reminiscent of the Prohibition Era, the evening will intertwine illicit libations coordinated by Amanti Vino, fine culinary bites from over twenty area restaurants, and the sultry sound of Trent Armand Kendall + Brass Illusion. 

There are two types of tickets available for the evening:

THE VIP EXPERIENCE – 1 HOUR EARLY ENTRY * HI-END WINE TASTING from 6:30 PM – 10 PM. $187/person.

GENERAL ADMISSION – ALL YOU CAN EAT & DRINK ALL NIGHT LONG! 7:30 PM – 10 PM. $97/person.

For more info or to buy tickets, visit: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/the-speakeasy/

This charity tasting event benefits Intensive Therapeutics and Montclair Digs.

List of participating restaurants:

Speakeasy Restos

Cheers,

Veronique

2016 Montclair Food & Wine Festival: BBQ, Bourbon, Biergarten

2016 Montclair Food & Wine Festival: BBQ, Bourbon, Biergarten

BourbonThe BBQ, Bourbon + Biergarten is an event put forth by the folks at Montclair Food & Wine Festival. The fun-filled evening will take place on July 9th from 6PM – 10PM at the Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ) and will feature the flavors and spirits of summer with live music generously provided by The Wellmont Theater.

BBQ Competition

A spirited BBQ competition with special master of ceremonies Anne (Annie) Marie Leamy of WPLJ Morning Show with Todd & Jayde. The competition will be judged by John Holl, acclaimed beer/food writer; Veronique Deblois (me!!!), Kansas City Barbecue Society Certified Judge and regional F+B blogger; and Ed Schoenfeld, Restaurateur (Red Farm & Decoy) and Judge on Food Network shows.

BBQ Tasting Event

There will be a BBQ-themed tasting event with savory and sweet dishes from the area’s top chefs, including a wide array of bourbons and beers from local artisanal and national brands. The current list of participating vendors follows (more being added):

ANI RAMEN, ANTHONY’S CHEESECAKE, AMERICAN CUT STEAKHOUSE, ANDRES RESTAURANT, ARIANE KITCHEN & BAR, BAREBURGER, BOBOLINK FARMS, CAKEAHOLIC OBSESSION, CRYSTAL SPRINGS RESORT, CHEF RYAN DEPERSIO, ESCAPE, ESSEX JUNCTION, FITZGERALD’S 1928, GELOTTI, HALCYON, HAPPY HARVEST HYDROPONICS, JERSEY BARNFIRE HOTSAUCE, LAUREL & SAGE, MISH MISH, MISS NICKY’S TOFFEE, MONTCLAIR BREAD CO., NICO KITCHEN + BAR, NINETY ACRES – NATIRAR, PICNIC ON THE SQUARE, PIG & PRINCE, PILSENER HAUS & BIERGARTEN, SPUNTINO WINE BAR & ITALIAN TAPAS, THE OFFICE BEER BAR & GRILL, THE ORANGE SQUIRREL, THE SHANNON ROSE, WHOLE FOODS MARKET MONTCLAIR & WEST ORANGE, THE WOOD PIT, VILLALOBOS, VITAL DINING, WELLMONT THEATER, WILD HONEY CATERING.

Tickets

General admission: $85 pp (includes access to food, beer and spirits tasting, music and BBQ competition, raffles and silent auction); VIP admission: $120 pp (includes premium craft beer and spirits tasting). Tickets may be purchased by CLICKING HERE. Hope to see you there! Veronique

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner 2015

MFWF LogoThe Montclair Food & Wine Festival will be back in 2015 with new events, educational seminars and fun for all.

Monday, June 8, 2015 from 6PM to 9:30PM – THE GALA DINNER at The Manor (111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ).

The Gala Dinner is an exclusive night of collaborative culinary magic! The six course dinner will be designed and prepared by some of the area’s most talented chefs:

  • Chef Mitchell Altholz, Highlawn Pavilion
  • Chef Michael Carrino, Pig & Prince
  • Chef Ryan DePersio, Fascino, Battello, Nico
  • Chef Ariane Duarte, Ariane Kitchen & Bar
  • Chef Kevin Sippel, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

NEW for 2015 – Special Amuse Bouche Series

Guests at this year’s gala dinner will be treated to amuse bouche by the following chefs:

  • Chef Francesco Palmieri, The Orange Squirrel
  • Chef Zod Arifai, Blu & Next Door
  • Chef Thomas Ciszak, Blue Morel & Chakra
  • Chef Meny Vaknin, Mish Mish

To learn more about the chefs – CLICK HERE.

Wines paired by Sharon Sevrens, proprietor of Montclair’s Amanti Vino.

CLICK HERE for additional information, for pricing and to buy tickets to the gala dinner.

Cheers,

Veronique

Montclair Food & Wine Festival 2015

Montclair Food & Wine Festival 2015

LogoThe Montclair Food & Wine Festival will be back in 2015 with new events, educational seminars and fun for all.

Monday, June 8, 2015 – THE GALA DINNER at The Manor

An exclusive evening of collaborative culinary wizardry!

A six course custom dining experience, designed and prepared by:

  • Chef Mitchell Altholz, Highlawn Pavilion
  • Chef Michael Carrino, Pig & Prince
  • Chef Ryan DePersio, Fascino, Battello, Nico
  • Chef Ariane Duarte, CulinAriane
  • Chef Francesco Palmieri, The Orange Squirrel
  • Kevin Sippel, Jockey Hollow Kitchen & Bar

To learn more about the chefs – CLICK HERE.

Wines paired by Sharon Sevrens, proprietor of Montclair’s Amanti Vino

CLICK HERE for additional information, for pricing and to buy tickets to the gala dinner.

Friday, June 12, 2015 – NEW – Bourbon & Biergarten at the Montclair Art Museum

Join the Montclair Food & Wine Festival’s first ever Bourbon & Biergarten!

A casual evening filled with the finest bourbons and craftiest brews, the Bourbon & Biergarten will feature food samplings from over 25 local restaurants and food artisans.

Each attendee will receive a commemorative sampling stein. 

Beers and bourbons curated by Amanti Vino.

PARTICIPANTS (check back for an updated list)

Montclair Bread Company

Escape Montclair

CLICK HERE for additional information, for pricing and to buy tickets to Bourbon & Biergarten.

Saturday June 13, 2015 – THE GRAND TASTING at the Montclair Art Museum

Gala Dinner by Christina Nuzzo | LifeMosaic Photography

Gala Dinner by Christina Nuzzo | LifeMosaic Photography

Enjoy an evening of diverse culinary offerings from many of the state’s finest restaurants and purveyors!

Amanti Vino will be presenting wines and spirits from around the world.

DETAILS ON PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS COMING SOON!

Want an exclusive experience? 

The VIP Grand Tasting Ticket ($135) gets you into the Museum at 6 pm (LIMITED).  Sip your favorite wines and spirits, and nibble on diverse, exquisite fare one hour before the crowd arrives. 

CLICK HERE for additional information, for pricing and to buy tickets to the Grand Tasting.

To stay abreast of all things Montclair Food & Wine Festival, visit:  http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/

About the Montclair Food & Wine Festival

The Montclair Food & Wine Festival, Inc. was incorporated in September 2011 by of a unique group of community volunteers, local chefs, restaurateurs, and industry professionals. As food and wine enthusiasts, our Board of Trustees has designed a two-day event that will recognize, celebrate and share the culinary wealth and diversity of Montclair, while pursuing charitable and educational purposes.

Cheers,

Veronique

MACHE Begins Cooking Series

MACHE Begins Cooking Series

Anthony Bracco & Bryan Gregg

Anthony Bracco & Bryan Gregg Photo credit: Melody Kettle

Chef Bryan Gregg, Chef/Owner of Montclair’s popular Escape and farmer extraordinaire, Anthony Bracco of Bracco Farms were the first guests to kick off a series of cooking demos/classes at Montclair High School in collaboration with Montclair Academy of Culinary & Hospitality Excellence (MACHE). Fitting Chef Gregg and Mr. Bracco, the theme of the seminar was “Cooking CSA Style”.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup Photo credit: Melody Kettle

Nearly fifty students of Montclair High School attended the seminar and Chef Gregg and Mr. Bracco, explained why locally-sourced produce is so popular with chefs these days and how consumers can avail themselves of such products. Attendees were treated by a butternut squash soup prepared by Chef Gregg.

The “Cooking CSA Style” seminar was deemed a success by Pam Wright, MACHE faculty advisor and teacher at Montclair High School, and by Melody Kettle, founder of the Montclair Food & Wine Festival and students can look forward to monthly presentations.

Cheers,

Veronique

Cru Meets Brew Charity Wine Dinner – 10/16

Cru Meets Brew Charity Wine Dinner – 10/16

Cru Meets BrewCru Meets Brew will be held on Thursday 10/16 as a five-course, collaborative wine and beer-paired menu is created by some of the area’s top chefs.

Wines and beers are provided by Sharon Sevrens of Montclair’s Amanti Vino and the Chefs participating are:

  • Chef Anthony Bucco, Special Guest
  • Chef Christopher Ryan Arturo, Red Eye Cafe
  • Chef Adam Rose, Villalobos
  • Chef Julian Valencia, Ani Ramen House

Location: Highlawn Pavilion, 1 Crest Drive, West Orange, NJ 07052

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2014

Time: 6:30pm – 10 pm

General Admission: $165

Table of 12: $1920

The event benefits Intensive Therapeutics Inc and MACHÉ (Montclair Academy of Culinary & Hospitality Education).

Tickets are available HERE.

We hope to see you there!

Veronique

Montclair Food & Wine Festival – You’ll Like These Classes

Montclair Food & Wine Festival – You’ll Like These Classes

MFWF LogoNew to the Montclair Food & Wine Festival is a series of culinary-focused seminars. The four-seminar lineup will take place on Sunday June 1. “The selection of seminars we arrived at serves a dual purpose – demonstrating micro and macro gastronomy. We showcase the enormous talent and passion in our immediate community with people like Lou Palma, Laura Schenone, and Sally Owens, but we also want to broaden the scope of seminars – in both geography and doctrine,” said Melody Kettle, President & Treasurer of the event. ”As a leading food town of New Jersey, I felt it our responsibility to address topics beyond what’s currently trending in the food world. We want to explore larger ethical issues like foie gras, and sustainable practices in NJ aquaculture – which will affect not only what we eat now, but what, and how our children will eat as well,” continued Kettle.

Sunday, June 1, 2014 – Seminar Series at The Commonwealth Club (26 Northview Ave, Montclair, 07043).

The Pasta Show with Lou and Laura – 11:30AM – 1PM.

Laura Schenone, the James Beard  award winning author of “The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken,” and “A Thousand Years Over a Hot Stove,” will team up with “The Gastomechanic” culinary mentor Lou Palma for “The Pasta Show with Lou & Laura”. The duo will demonstrate how to make and roll out a basic dough that can be used for many different shapes and types of pasta.  They will demonstrate tagliatelle and ravioli, while discussing different varieties of flour, fillings, and sauces. Attendees of the demonstration will receive a tasting portion of freshly prepared pasta topped with Lou and Laura’s own tomato sauce, paired with wine.

New Jersey Aquaculture: Consider the Oyster + The Clam – 1:15PM – 2:45PM.

Attendees of the NJ aquaculture seminar will enjoy four varieties of oysters, and NJ hard clams. Oysters are donated by Chris Cannon of the upcoming Jockey Hollow Bar + Kitchen in Morristown. 

Panelist will include Gef Flimlin, Gef Flimlin a Professor and Marine Extension Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension who has been working with commercial fisheries and aquaculture for over 35 years.  Flimlin runs the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program and has recently formed a hard clam growers cooperative, Heritage Shellfish Coop. 

Matt Gregg, Edible Jersey Local Hero and grower at Forty North Oyster Farms, will also be on the panel. Matt will give a crash course on oyster tasting and discuss the fundamentals of becoming a connoisseur.

Oysters will be custom paired with a wine by Chris Cannon.

Debunking Myths of Foie Gras with Ariane Daguin  + Ariane Duarte – 3PM – 4:30PM.

The dynamic Ariane Daguin, owner of D’Artagnan, will discuss the controversial subject of foie gras, including policy and her company’s role in the market.  Celebrity Top Chef Ariane Duarte  commands the kitchen at CulinAriane, one NJ’s most consistently acclaimed restaurants. During our Foie Gras seminar, Chef Ariane will create a custom D’Artagnan foie gras dish for guests to enjoy, while they sip a custom paired wine.  

Latin Vegan Tapas with Sally Owens of SO Tasty Vegan & Leaf Vodka – 4PM – 6PM (this seminar is being held at Designer Appliances – 208 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair, 07042).

Complete details, including pricing and ticket buying, can be found at: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/seminarseries/

Best,

Veronique

Montclair Food & Wine Festival 2014 Special Offer

Montclair Food & Wine Festival 2014 Special Offer

MFWF LogoThe Montclair Food & Wine Festival will be back in 2014 with new venues, educational seminars and fun for all.

Saturday May 31, 2014 – THE GRAND TASTING at the Montclair Art Museum

Enjoy an evening of diverse culinary offerings from many of the state’s finest restaurants and purveyors!

Both floors of the Montclair Art Museum, including the galleries, will be open for viewing!

Wines Presented by: Gary’s Wine & Marketplace

Sunday, June 1, 2014 – SEMINAR SERIES at The Commonwealth Club

Details to Follow

Monday, June 2, 2014 – THE GALA DINNER at The Manor

An exclusive evening of collaborative culinary wizardry!

A six course custom dining experience, designed and prepared by

  • Chef Mitchell Altholz, Highlawn Pavilion
  • Chef Michael Carrino, Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastrolounge
  • Chef Ryan DePersio, Fascino, NICO Kitchen + Bar
  • Chef Ariane Duarte, CulinAriane
  • Chef Francesco Palmieri, Orange Squirrel

And a guest chef to be announced! 

Wines paired by Sharon Sevrens, proprietor of Montclair’s Amanti Vino

SPECIAL OFFER: Use promo code: foodcapital

  • 20% OFF Grand Tasting general admission (7pm – 9pm) or VIP admission (6pm – 9pm)
  • 20% OFF Gala Dinner general admission.

The offer will remain live from 11:30am November 21, 2013, through 11:30pm on December 31, 2013.

Complete details at: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org

 

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Promo Code

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Promo Code

MFWF LogoWe are less than one month away from the first annual Montclair Food & Wine Festival!

Enter promo code “onemonth” for 20% off  VIP Prelude or General Admission ticket class at the Grand Tasting on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

Enter the same code, “onemonth” for 20% off the ticket price at the Gala Dinner on Sunday, June 2, 2013.

These codes will expire by 1:00 am, Monday, May 6, 2013.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

Leave a comment if you plan to attend, I’d love to meet you!

Veronique