ShowSpan and The Convention and Arena Authority are once again pairing up for what undoubtedly has become Michigan’s premier wine and food festival.  The Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival returns to the elegance of the Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place, Thursday through Saturday, November 18-20, 2010.

You are invited to join in the pre-holiday festivities, where the city’s finest restaurants, along with vintners and brewers from throughout the world, come together for a gastronomic and social event unlike anything Grand Rapids has experienced before.  This is the “must attend” culinary celebration of the year!

What changes can you expect for year three? 

·         An exceptional Craft Brew Area featuring many the finest of Michigan’s Craft Brews

·         Due to popular demand two more “pairings” have been added, San Chez and Louis Benton

·         Pairings tickets will be sold online in advance of the festival at GRWineFestival.com

·         An enhanced Riverfront Market featuring many more specialty and artisan booths

·         Introducing Les Champagne De Vignerons - a special champagne flight featuring “Growers Champagne” from the Champagne region of France.  

·         The box office will offer patrons the option to purchase a package containing their admission and tasting tickets as a one-stop-shop.  We will continue to offer sample ticket selling stations throughout the show.

Admission to the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival is $15 per person and includes:

·         Your sampling glass and official show program, published by Grand Rapids Magazine, containing a detailed list of wines, beers, spirits and foods available for your tasting pleasure.

·         All seminars in our wine, beer & spirits seminar rooms

·         All seminars at the Meijer Food Stage

·         All food workshops

Tasting tickets are available for purchase in 50?¢ denominations.  We suggest you start with at least $20 worth, as all restaurant and drink samples are “purchased” with these tickets. 

This show gives you the opportunity to sample from more than 1,250 of the finest wines, beers and spirits – depending on your personal preferences.  And, unlike an all-inclusive fee, the ticket system encourages wineries to display their best and most exclusive brands for you, the patron, to taste.

What else can you expect throughout the weekend at the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival?  A wide assortment of terrific educational seminars and workshops, that’s what! 

·         Wine, Beer & Spirits Seminar Stages: Hosted and coordinated by Joe Borrello of the Taster’s Guild.  These complimentary tutored seminars will showcase wines and beers from specific countries and regions.

·         Meijer Cooking Stage: This stage will focus on the upcoming holidays.  Offering a variety of topics from perfect holiday appetizers to the proper way to carve a stuffed turkey to beautiful holiday desserts.  Also featured is Chef Carlyn Berghoff, of Berghoff  Restaurant fame in Chicago, with recipes from the Berghoff Café Cookbook.

·         Food Workshops: These quick 15-minute demonstrations feature chefs and food specialists presenting on topics such as olive oils, cheeses, chocolates and much more.

·         “Wine & Food Pairings”: Those looking to enhance their festival experience will want to partake in one of these unique experiences.  At $30 per person, chefs from The 1913 Room, Bar Divani, Tre Cugini, Six.One.Six., San Chez and Louis Benton will prepare a three-course culinary masterpiece, paired with chef-selected wines or beers.  You can review the menus and purchase tickets for reserved seatings in advance at GRWinefestival.com

·         Les Champagne De Vignerons:  Growers champagnes have been described as “artisanal winemaking” with terroir being at the forefront for each wine.  At $75 per person, with our wine expert Bradford Hammerschmidt as your guide, you will taste champagnes that have been sourced from single or closely located vineyards around a village from the Champagne region of France. Each tasting will be accompanied by artisan foods from the Chef’s of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

Other special features of the festival include a focus on Grand Rapids Sister Cities.  Our sister city of

Omihachiman will be bringing the master chef from the Hotel New Omi, along with the president of the hotel. Chef Kotani will conduct a cooking demonstration of authentic cuisine from the region on Saturday on the Meijer Food Stage.  A sake seminar will take place on Saturday as well in one of the wine, beer & spirits seminar rooms.

Entertainment from some of the city’s finest musicians will be provided throughout the show.

Novices and foodies unite!  Anticipate…consume…savor…it’s all in good taste!

Tickets for the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival may be purchased in advance online at www.GRWineFestival.com or at any Ticketmaster Outlet.  Attendees must be at least 21 years of age to enter.