Wine & Food Week announces events for June 6-12 in The Woodlands

Wine, food and fun are what’s in store for Wine & Food Week, celebrating “A New York State of Mind” at the 12th annual extravaganza held June 6-12.  The region’s largest and most comprehensive culinary and wine event from New Orleans to Aspen draws culinary masters and wine experts from around the world.

An epicurean extravaganza with more than 11,000 participants each year, Wine & Food Week’s gastronomic grandeur features scores of events with more than 500 wines, 75 restaurants, legendary wine producers and culinary personalities.  A myriad of education classes, chef demonstrations, cookbook author events, and casual to fine wine-and-dine experiences for the novice to the enthusiast round out the weeklong culinary classic.

Wizard Gourmet is none other than former Houstonian Tristen Epps, a finalist on Season Three of “The Taste,” and now with the internationally-acclaimed Marcus Samuelsson Group in New York City.  Joining the Wine & Food Week Chef of Chefs Hall of Fame this year is recipient Tony Vallone, Houston’s most iconic fine dining restaurateur in Houston for 50 years since opening Tony’s in 1965.

Wine & Food Week’s scores of events include:

It’s A Guy Thing   Tuesday, June 7 at 7-10 p.m.  Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands, 16917 Interstate 45 South, The Woodlands, TX 77385  Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door.  www.wineandfoodweek.com

It’s A Guy Thing is the quintessential “it’s a man’s world” experience.  Enjoy bold wines and  and craft beers with samples of food followed by a cigar.  Get a shoe shine or chair massage, play  a little poker and enjoy live music while surrounded by luxury vehicles.   The testosterone-filled  evening is not to be missed.  Featured restaurants are Morton’s Grille, BRIO Tuscan Grille, The  Woodlands Country Club and a special appearance by Chef Tristen Epps of the Marcus   Samuelsson Group of New York City.

Women, Wine & All Things Fashionable  Wednesday, June 8 from 6-9 p.m. The Woodlands Country Club 100 Grand Fairway, The Woodlands, TX 77381  Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door.  www.wineandfoodweek.com

Presented by Renewal by Andersen, Women, Wine & All Things Fashionable is hosted at The Woodlands Country Club with a live fashion show by Market Street. Chicks click over the great sisterhood of wines, fortune telling, and girly-girl things.  Combining fashion and fun, artful women and a little bit of riskiness, this girls’ night out with nibbles, music and wine is the perfect mid-week celebration.

The H-E-B Wine Walk @ Market Street    Thursday, June 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Woodlands’ Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, TX  77380 Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the door.  www.wineandfoodweek.com

The H-E-B Wine Walk @ Market Street is one of the most popular and festive evening events  during Wine & Food Week.  Come to shop, sip and stroll as you explore the magic of Market  Street during this casual and most entertaining event. During the H-E-B Wine Walk, 34-acre  Market Street transforms into a festival-like atmosphere with guests enjoying 40 tasting stations  featuring wines from around the world, 80 craft beers, food sampling from 20 restaurants and  demonstrations. There will be two live music stages providing an upbeat background for dancing  and tasting the more than 200 selections of wine from industry representatives; and back by  popular demand is the Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chill Zone & Sangria Station.  The evening benefits the Signature Series Literacy Education efforts of the John Cooper School.

Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Luncheon and Panel Discussion Friday, June 10 from Noon to 3 p.m.  The Club at Carlton Woods, One Carlton Woods Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77382 Tickets are $85 in advance at www.wineandfoodweek.com

Ladies of the Vine Panel Luncheon features women winemakers, owners and experts who guide  you behind the bottle… to learn what it takes to get it to your taste buds. Enjoy an intimate  experience at this Italian-style villa with tasting stations followed by an Italian inspired meal  featuring delectable wines.  All in the elegant setting of the Club at Carlton Woods and presented  by The Extraordinary Italian Taste.  Jeremy Parzen will moderate, with panelists including  Cookita NYC Founder and Chef Antonella Rico, Myka Borgogni Aultman, WSET II, the  Southeast Texas District Manager for Kobrand Wine & Spirits, and Winemaker Kristin Bryden of  Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards.

Sips, Suds & Tacos, presented by MEXICO     Friday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands, TX  77380    Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door.  www.wineandfoodweek.com

It’s a Texas-size party, second to none.   Crunch and munch the night away at Wine & Food  Week’s Sips, Suds & Tacos, presented by Mexico and featuring wine tasting, craft beers and  a “Taco Takedown” competition in search of the tastiest taco.  Entrance includes samples of beer  and wine, tacos while they last, and live music.  Enjoy gourmet tacos galore as Taco Takedown  Champion Chef Scott Varnedoe of restaurant IPO defends his title, and newcomers Escalante,  Cyclone Anayas, El Tiempo Cantina and L’auberge Casino’s Jack Daniels Bar and Grill  representing Louisiana Seafood heat up the competition.

Northwestern Mutual Platinum Wine Vault Saturday, June 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Woodlands Marriott Waterway, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands, TX  77380   Tickets are $250 in advance and include access to the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase along with the Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands VIP Premium Lounge.   www.wineandfoodweek.com

Platinum Wine Vault is an exclusive tasting held just prior to The Wine Rendezvous Grand  Tasting & Chef Showcase.  This luxurious affair with highly acclaimed wines is for the  discriminating collector and enthusiast.

Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase Saturday, June 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Woodlands Marriott Waterway, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands, TX  77380   Tickets are $125 in advance; $135 at the door.  www.wineandfoodweek.com

The ultimate adult evening at Wine & Food Week is The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting &  Chef Showcase.  Here guests sample delectable cuisine and hundreds of wines as chefs  representing more than 60 of the nation’s top restaurants compete for Wine & Food Week’s  Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs Award and a $5,000 cash and prize package.  To complete the  evening, the epicurean experience culminates with the “Just Desserts” contest, a confectionary  competition to crown the night’s dessert  extraordinaire.   Special features also include the  Champagne Cove, Art of Wine Competition, and the Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands VIP  Premium Lounge.   The evening benefits New Danville, a self-sustaining, master-integrated  community for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Wine & Food Week events and auctions benefit the Signature Series Literacy Education efforts of the John Cooper School and New Danville, a self-sustaining, master-integrated community for adults with intellectual disabilities.   Most of the events are held at venues in The Woodlands, with unique experiences throughout Houston.  To purchase tickets or for information and a complete schedule, visit www.wineandfoodweek.com or call 713.557.5732.