The inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine event will feature guest chefs, cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings, and intimate dining experiences planned for Aug. 20-24.
The event was announced by Traverse City Tourism, and events will take place at more than 20 locations throughout the region.
Tyler Florence, a 29-year veteran of the Food Network, will headline the event. A two-time James Beard Award nominee, Florence has authored numerous books and owns restaurants in San Francisco.
Florence also worked briefly at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in his early career before joining the Food Network.
Several other notable chefs will travel to town to participate in the event, including Dearborn native Mei Lin, a Food Network Top Chef winner who is currently serving as chef for Pure Michigan.
Other participants include Traverse City newcomers Sarah Welch and Cameron Rolka, who spearheaded the Marrow and Mink restaurants in Detroit; Ji Hye Kim, of Miss Kim’s in Ann Arbor; Kate Williams, of Lady of the House in Detroit; Omar Anani of Saffron De Twah in Detroit, Celina Tio of Belfry in Kansas City; Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson of the Cooks’ House in Traverse City; and Abra Berens of Granor Farm in Three Oaks.
Several of the chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards, participated in Top Chef and other TV programs, and are nationally recognized. Traverse City’s culinary community also will be represented with participation from the Cooks’ House, Artisan, Nobo Riverside, Reflect Bistro, Aerie, Bistro Polaris, The Good Bowl, Chateau Chantal, and numerous other dining partners.
“The region’s unique climate, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and diversity of high-quality agricultural products, creates a culinary atmosphere worth celebrating,” says Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse City Tourism.
Traverse City Food & Wine will feature events throughout the week, with a Grand Tasting taking place at the Traverse City Open Space on August 23, from noon to 4 p.m. It will feature small plate tastings from both local and guest chefs, tastings of more than 100 local wines and other craft beverages, cooking demonstrations, and interviews with chefs.
Over 30 events are currently scheduled, with more being added. The updated list of events can be found at Traverse City Food and Wine and includes education, tours, tastings, and elaborate meals.
The event will kick off with an opening party at Delamar on August 20. Other activities include:
- Four-course tasting dinner with Tyler Florence – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
- Winery estate dinners and a winery-hosted summer cookout – various locations
- National Writers Series hosted conversations
- A 5k Run/Walk through the vines on the Leelanau Peninsula
- Educational tastings with food and wine pairings – various locations
- Food & Wine Sails on the Bay – Wind Dancer and Nauticat
- Farm and winery tours – various locations
- Cooking demonstrations at the Traverse City Farmer’s Market
- Sunday brunches, lunches, and progressive tastings – various locations
Event tickets will be available later this month. Traverse City Food & Wine is presented by 4Front Credit Union and organized by Traverse City Tourism.
A sampling of the events include:
Opening Night Patio Party
Wednesday, August 20, Evening
Kickoff the Traverse City Food & Wine on the Delamar patio with local drinks and seasonal appetizers. Mingle amongst guest chefs and friends while enjoying lakeside views.
The Chef’s Table: A Multi-Course Tasting Dinner with Five of Michigan’s Finest Chefs
Wednesday, August 20, Evening
Five notable culinarians — Sarah Welch, of Marrow; Kate Williams, of Lady of the House; Jennifer Blakeslee, of the Cooks’ House; Emily Steward, of Modern Bird; and Artisan host Chef de Cuisine Sarah Bobier — will guide guests through a multi-course dinner. Each chef will pair her dish with a local wine to highlight the flavors and textures, sharing a bit about their choices and preparation.
Goat Yoga at Black Star Farms
Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, Morning
Tickets include one glass of wine, a cocktail, a mocktail, or a beverage.
Critics’ Choice: Tasting Traverse City’s Top Wines with a Global Expert
Thursday, August 21, Afternoon
In this seminar, JamesSuckling.com journalist and former Wine Enthusiast Editor-in-Chief Susan Kostrzewa will talk through top-rated and regarded pours from the Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula AVAs.
Farm and Garden Party: A Tasting Tour
Thursday, August 21, Afternoon
Sip, taste, and tour the farm with the experts who created Loma Farms and Farm Club. Get a firsthand account of the integrated businesses, harvest local ingredients, enjoy some signature ingredients, beverages, and snacks.
Jazz at Sunset
Thursday, August 21, Evening
Enjoy a glass of wine on Chateau Chantal’s west patio at sunset while listening to local jazz celebrity Jeff Hass and band for a mellow evening of jazz and wine.
Tyler Florence’s American Grill
Friday, August 22, Afternoon
Join Food Network’s chef Tyler Florence for a live-fire cooking demonstration. Enjoy a variety of grilled meats and fish, some of his favorite side dishes, and local beers and wines.
Summer Cookout with Boathouse Restaurant and Brys
Friday, August 22, Evening
A summer evening on the Upper Deck at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, in partnership with Traverse City’s Boathouse Restaurant. Savor a summer-inspired menu thoughtfully paired with Brys Estate wines, while taking in panoramic views of the vineyards and East Grand Traverse Bay.
Farm to Table Cooking School with the cooks’ house
Saturday, August 23, Morning
Join James Beard Award nominees Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson on a fun adventure featuring local ingredients at their finest. Begin with a shopping trip to the farmers’ market to choose just-picked ingredients and visit with the farmers, then head back to the demo kitchen to prepare and taste a few of the Cooks’ House’s specialties.
The Grand Tasting
Saturday, August 23, Afternoon
Billed as the main event, taste the true flavors of Traverse City and enjoy bites and sips that epitomize the region. Learn from the chefs, sample local produce and products, sip on wines from more than 30 wineries, and enjoy views of West Grand Traverse Bay. The main stage will be hosted by Amy Smart and Carter Oosterhouse, featuring conversations with and cooking demonstrations by many guest chefs, including Tyler Florence, Mei Lin, Sarah Welch, Kate Williams, and more.
No Pour Decisions 5k Run / Walk
Sunday August 24, Morning
A path through the vineyards of Leelanau Peninsula.
Blind Tasting, Sunday, August 24, Evening
Learn about the Leelanau terroir and sample wines from Brengman Family Wines, an award-winning winery. The event will allow for side-by-side comparison of a wine style: three will be from wine regions outside of Michigan, and the fourth will come from the Brengman portfolio. Guests are invited to taste and analyze each wine blindly, rate, and discuss. The tasting will include a dinner created by Estate Chef Seth Thomas.
Traverse City Tourism is an independent, not-for-profit destination organization that promotes the greater Traverse City area as a leisure and business destination. For more information, visit TraverseCity.com.
