Description

Book a hotel room in the French Quarter for the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience on New Orleans.com.

New Orleans is a food-lover's paradise 365 days a year, but the real aficionados of New Orleans' fine cuisine head to the Big Easy for the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE). This five-day bacchanalia pairs New Orleans' premier restaurants with renowned winemakers for a feast of events that range from exclusive wine dinners to the beloved Royal Street Stroll to the mother of all New Orleans food fests: NOWFE's Grand Tasting.

NOWFE ranks in the Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the U.S. and fourth in the World according to the TripAdvisor Annual Travelers' Choice Destination Awards.

Featuring more than 175 wineries from around the world and 75 of New Orleans' top restaurants, NOWFE is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2012. Fine Cooking magazine has signed on as NOWFE's national media sponsor and promises to bring even more prestige and top names in the food and wine industry to New Orleans for the occasion.

See the SCHEDULE tab for more details on event dates, times and locations.

Fun, foodie things to do in New Orleans:

• Visit the Southern Food & Beverage Museum.
•  Take a tour of the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery.
•  Learn the basics of Cajun and Creole cooking at Crescent City Cooks.
•  Hang out in the best foodie havens in New Orleans

Schedule

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Ella Brennan Award Dinner & Auction

Location: JW Marriott Ile de France Grand Ballroom
Time: 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. seated dinner
Tickets: $250 per person / $2500 per table of 10

This exclusive, seated dinner will honor Bill Goldring, the 2012 recipient of the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award, which recognizes one individual who has made a lifetime commitment to the hospitality industry. Funds raised benefit the University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism, the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation's ProStart Program, The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Delgado Community College Culinary Arts Program and New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Culinary Arts Program.

Wednesday May 23, 2012

Wine Dinners

Time/location: TBA February 2012

New Orleans' premier chefs and restaurants are paired up with an international lineup of winemakers for a one-of-a-kind evening of wine and food. Dinners range from $75-$15- per person and take place in restaurants throughout the city.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Vinola Tasting

Location: The Theatre at Harrah's Casino
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets: $150

NOWFE's super-exclusive tasting event is a rare opportunity for 200 wine enthusiasts to mingle with notable winemakers and sample elite wines from around the world. Harrah's Theatre hosts approximately 40 wineries and vintners pour their best! The Vinola tasting will feature the culinary contributions of chef Jared Tees of Besh Steak and chef Nathaniel Zimet of Boucherie.

Royal Street Stroll

Location: Royal Street in the French Quarter
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tickets: $75 (advance); $90 (on-site)

The classiest wine and art crawl in the world, the Royal Street Stroll is one of the highlights of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. The famous antique shops, art galleries and boutiques of Royal Street open their doors for an evening of art and live music paired with some of NOWFE's top wineries. Don't miss the Krewe of Cork's legendary strut down Royal Street!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Wine Seminars

For information about NOWFE wine seminars on Friday, May 25, see www.nowfe.com.

Grand Tasting

Location: The New Orleans Convention Center, Hall J
Tickets: $89 (advance); $100 (day of event)
Date/Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The mother of all food fests in New Orleans, NOWFE's Grand Tasting is a full-blown feast featuring 175 wineries and 75 top New Orleans chefs and restaurants. Sip and sample to your heart's content at this blow-out food and wine extravaganza!

The Big Gateaux Show: NOWFE's 20^th Anniversary Celebration

Location: Royal Sonesta Hotel Grand Ballroom
Time: 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Ticket: $82

Watch featured pastry chefs as they compete to create the best burlesque-themed anniversary cake to celebrate NOWFE's 20^th Anniversary. The competition is hosted by Food Network's Keegan Gerhard, local pastry chef Tariq Hanna of Sucre confections and the Royal Sonesta Hotel, with burlesque troupe Trixi Minx & the Beauties on hand for entertainment.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Wine Seminars

For information about NOWFE wine seminars on Saturday, May 26, see www.nowfe.com.

Grand Tasting

Location: The New Orleans Convention Center, Hall J
Tickets: $89 (advance); $100 (day of event)
Date/Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The mother of all food fests in New Orleans, NOWFE's Grand Tasting is a full-blown feast featuring 175 wineries and 75 top New Orleans chefs and restaurants. Sip and sample to your heart's content at this blow-out food and wine extravaganza!

The Saturday Grand Tasting will also include the 5^th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Board.