Celebrity Chefs Announced for New Jersey Wine & Food Festival

Grand Tasting – Photo by Crystal Springs

A lineup of all-star chefs, including Guest of Honor Chef David Bouley (Bouley & Brushstroke, NYC), Michael Solomonov (Zahav, Philadelphia), Shirley Chung (Finalist Top Chef Season 11), Galen Zamarra (mas & mas la grillade, NYC), Ghaya Oliveira (Executive Pastry Chef, Daniel, NYC), Saul Bolton (Saul Restaurant, NYC), George Mendes (Aldea, NYC), David Santos (Louro, NYC) will be among the chefs cooking at the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs March 28 – March 30.

Saturday March 29 Featured Events (Complete list at www.thecrystalspringsresort.com)

The Battle of NJ Sous Chefs: NJ Sous Chefs from Chakra, Pig & Prince, Morris Tap & Grill, Giovanni’s Bistro and Restaurant Latour will battle it out in a Top Chef-like challenge. Guests will sample their dishes paired with wines. Panel of judges led by Chef David Bouley will name the winner. ($45)

Local Craft Cocktails: Mixologist Christopher James of The Ryland Inn will showcase some of the Northeast’s best small batch spirits such as NJ’s Laird’s Apple Jack, Brooklyn Gin, Bootlegger Vodka and Widow Jane Bourbon (NY) in creative cocktails. ($40)

The Art of Blending Bourbon: Distiller Wes Henderson will lead a tasting where attendees will make their own Angel’s Envy bourbon blend. ($40)

Bubble-Q: In the spirit of spring, James Beard Award-winning Sommelier Belinda Chang will lead a seminar pairing Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot Champagnes with barbecue. ($45)

Photo by Geoff Mottram

The Grand Tasting: 30 restaurants and over 100 wines! New Jersey’s culinary stars with participating restaurants including Ninety Acres at Natirar, Restaurant Latour, Maritime Parc, CulinAriane, The Frog and The Peach, The Orange Squirrel, Boulevard Five 72, Agricola, Blue Morel, The Bernards Inn, Fascino, Escape, The Strip House, Axia Taverna, Ho Ho Kus Inn & Tavern, Pig & Prince and more. Wineries and Champagne houses participating in the Festival include Krug, Ornellaia, Stag’s Leap, Dom Perignon, Caymus, Belle Glos, Penfolds, Bruno Giacosa, Taken Wine Company and more. ($125/$250 VIP)

Sunday March 30

11am – 2pm     Champagne Brunch A lavish, decadent brunch buffet accompanied by Ruinart Champagnes ($60).

Additional details can be found at www.thecrystalspringsresort.com.