The clock is ticking toward the 9th Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort, which will be held Friday, March 31, through Sunday, April 2, featuring Chef Daniel Boulud, the festival’s guest of honor. Proceeds from the event will benefit Ment’or, a leading nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals and preserving the traditions and quality of cuisine in America.
While Friday evening’s events are both sold out, there’s plenty to do on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s the schedule.
Saturday, April 1
10 a.m.: Perfectly Paired Pastries with Chef Jessie Dardar of Le Petit Temptation Dessert Truck ($35).
11 a.m.: A Conversation & Book Signing with Guest of Honor Daniel Boulud: Enjoy a glass of champagne as Daniel reminisces about his career and signs copies of his cookbooks. ($50, including a copy of either My Best: Daniel Boulud or DANIEL: My French Cuisine).
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Marketplace lunch
12 p.m.: The Art of Fresh Pasta with Chef Silvia Barban (Top Chef Season 14) and Aishling Stevens (Crystal Springs), featuring winemaker Ryan Rech of Beringer ($50).
SOLD OUT! 1 p.m.: A Taste of Mexico with Chef Katsuji Tanabe (Top Chef Season 14) and Chef Martyna Krowicka (Restaurant Latour) – refined Mexican dishes with beers and spirits from Mexico ($40).
2 p.m.: Create your own red blend with Rodney Strong winemaker Justin Seidenfeld ($35).
2 p.m.: Daniel Boulud Foie Gras Challenge! Four NJ chefs will compete to produce the winning dish as judged by Chef Boulud ($60).
3 p.m.: An Afternoon in Provence – Kick off the spring rosé wine season and enjoy Daniel Boulud’s custom smoked salmon, caviar and more ($45).
3 p.m.: Punch Party – Learn how to make the perfect party punch and try punches from top NJ bartenders ($35).
3 p.m.: Secrets of the Crystal Springs Wine Cellar with Wine Director Robby Younes – Join Younes as he opens rare wines from the award-winning cellar ($150).
4 p.m.: 7X Ranch: The Perfection of Beef – Join Chef Anthony Bucco for a discussion of the prized 7X beef and tasting of this rare delicacy ($45).
4 p.m.: Craft Whiskey Spotlight: Widow Jane Distillery brings tastings of this award-winning spirit ($40).
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Early VIP admission at 6:30 p.m.): The Grand Tasting returns with 30 top NJ and NYC chefs and winemakers from around the world. The VIP experience will feature Daniel Boulud and five acclaimed restaurants ($135 regular, $295 VIP).
10 p.m.: Meet the Chefs & Winemakers After Party! Guests can party into the night with a DJ, dancing, open bars and more ($150).
Sunday, April 2
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Champagne brunch, featuring a sumptuous brunch buffet and free-flowing champagne—the perfect capper to the weekend!
Tickets can be purchased at www.njwinefoodfest.com. Rooms can be booked at 855-415-2776.
Hope to see you there!
Veronique
