Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival
North Lake Tahoe will host a parade of first-class chefs this fall when food lovers, culinary aficionados, oenophiles and hungry travelers gather September 11-13 for the 24th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival at the Village at Northstar in Truckee.
Traci Des Jardins, one of the country’s most acclaimed and respected chefs, joins the festival this year, leading the celebrity chef luncheon at Wild Goose in Tahoe Vista. Des Jardins is known for her French-California-style cuisine and owns Jardiniere, one of San Francisco’s top restaurants. She is also creating and opening the signature restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, which is slated to open in the fall mid-mountain at the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort in Truckee.
Chef Lars Kronmark of the Culinary Institute of America will be returning to give a lively Japanese grilling demonstration and John Ash, nationally renowned wine and food educator and author, will prepare and discuss sustainable seafood. Local favorite Mark Estee of Moody’s Bistro and Lounge and the new Baxter’s Bistro will demonstrate the roasting of a whole hog (with tasting and wine pairing).
Additional events include an artisan cheese paring with Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars led by wine educator Kim Caffrey and renowned cheesemonger, John Raymond, Charbay annual release party (featuring a new line of tequila blanco), grape stomp and alfresco luncheon, Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off, sushi rolling, pizza making, kids’ activities and gourmet marketplace.
The festival will also highlight the Sierra Nevada’s scenic and artistic side, as it coincides with North Tahoe Plein Air Painting Event. Nearly 40 artists have been selected to paint on location throughout North Lake Tahoe from September 9-11. The judging, public exhibit and sale of the paintings will follow September 12-13 at the Village at Northstar during the festival.
The weekend culminates with the Grand Tasting and Culinary Competition, when dozens of regional chefs serve their finest creations paired with premium California and international wines. A live auction of unique wines and libations follows.
Tickets will range from $10 to $150 for festival events, and will be available June 1. For more information, call 888-229-2193 or go to the website.
