Hamburg, NJ – A celebration of the world’s best wines, spirits and top chefs from around the United States, the 12th New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort takes place May 3 to 5.
Held at New Jersey’s premier culinary destination, Crystal Springs Resort, the weekend’s events are designed to allow food and wine connoisseurs to meet and mingle with the world’s finest chefs and winemakers. Created and overseen by Crystal Springs chief operating officer Robby Younes, the Festival has grown in stature over the past 10 years as a showcase for culinary talent with a who’s who of attending chefs including Thomas Keller, José Andrés, Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, David Kinch, and more.
This year, the Festival welcomes special guest Chef Tom Colicchio, a James Beard award-winning chef, head judge and executive producer of Bravo’s Top Chef and New Jersey native. “I’m born and raised in New Jersey and am always thrilled to be cooking back in my home state. I look forward to being at Crystal Springs Resort for the Festival this spring.”
The year’s Festival kicks off on Friday, May 3, with two celebratory dinners, preceded by the Champagne Reception and a brand new event, the Sunset Cabaret featuring live entertainment, multiple bars, and more. A Festival favorite dinner returns, “Top Chefs & Top Wines,” as a collaboration between Resort Executive Chef Aishling Stevens, the Restaurant Latour team, James Beard award winner Karen Akunowicz, two-time Top Chef finalist Sara Bradley and David Viana (Top Chef, Season 16). The Wine Cellar Dinner will feature a menu created by Chef Tom Colicchio paired with the rare, boutique wines of Eisele Vineyard.
Saturday, two exclusive wine-tasting events include 90+ wines with a tasting of highly rated wines that scored 90 points or more with wine educator Michael McNelis, and “Secrets of the Sommeliers & Cellar Tasting,” in the Crystal Springs Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning Wine Cellar, led by resort sommeliers.
Premium spirits tastings include “Tasting Double Golds” from Tasting Alliance, which showcases “Double Gold” winners from their San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and a tasting of Glenfiddich long-aged expressions from 18 to 26 years old!
At night, The Grand Tasting welcomes 35 restaurants and over 200 wines and spirits in the Crystal Springs Clubhouse, including two VIP areas. The Biosphere After Party is the blowout event of the Festival, letting guests, chefs, and winemakers dance the night away. Cinco de Mayo Sunday Brunch on Sunday, May 5, wraps up the festival.
Tickets for the 2024 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival are available at njwinefoodfest.com. Resort reservations can be made at 855-510-9695. Crystal Springs Resort is at 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ.
2024 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Schedule
Friday, May 3
7 p.m. Champagne Reception Guests meet the chefs while enjoying Champagne and hors d’oeuvres
(Included in Wine Cellar dinner)
8 p.m. Top Chefs & Top Wines Dinner with Chef Aishling Stevens, James Beard award winner Karen Akunowicz, Top Chef finalist Sara Bradley, and David Viana. ($295 plus tax and service)
8 p.m. Sunset Cabaret ($125 plus tax and service)
8 p.m. Wine Cellar Dinner ($750 includes Champagne Reception, tax and service additional)
Saturday May 4
11 a.m. Whiskey, Honey & Saving the Bees – enjoy a honey tasting while learning about Crystal Springs’ initiatives to provide habitat for our endangered honeybees, includes a taste of Tullamore Dew Honey and a dish from Restaurant Latour made with local honey ($30)
11 a.m. Trailblazing Culinary Women with James Beard award-winner Chef Karen Akunowicz, two-time Top Chef finalist Sara Bradley and Crystal Springs Resort Wine Director Susanne Wagner ($40 including Chef Akunowicz’s new cookbook Crave)
12 .p.m to 3 p.m. Marketplace Lunch highlighting seasonal creations and the best of New Jersey’s burgeoning wine scene
12 p.m. A Taste of Provence with Peyrassol Roses – taste roses from the oldest winery in Provence dating back to the 13th century ($40)
12 p.m. Return to the Wild with Ben Del Coro of Fossil Farms – tasting of game meats paired with wines from Sonoma California winery Arista ($35)
1 p.m. The World of Botanicals with Hendrick’s Gin – an interactive cocktail making glass with Hendrick’s Gin ($45)
1 p.m. Winemaking & Regenerative Farming with Eric Jensen – taste wines made by award-winning winemaker Eric Jensen of Booker Wines who works sustainably in harmony with nature to restore the environment for future generations ($50)
2 p.m. Expressions of Agave lets attendees delve into the world of Agave spirits beyond Tequila and Mezcal while making a margarita with their own salt blend ($45)
2 p.m. J. Lohr Paso Robles Experience – one of the pre-eminent wineries in the Paso Robles, CA, J. Lohr presents a tasting of its Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines led by winemaker Brenden Wood ($50)
2 p.m. Rum & Chocolate pairs Brugal 1888 with a selection of artisanal chocolates ($40)
3 p.m. 90+ Wines – A tasting of highly rated wines led by wine educator Michael McNelis ($90)
3 p.m. Under the Tuscan Sky – Taste Tuscan gems from Tenuta Sette Cieli with Ambrogio Ratti and enjoy bites from the Resort’s own Springs Bistro ($45)
3 p.m. Tasting Double Golds ($45) – Learn how spirits are rated while sampling “Double Gold” winners from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition & Singapore World Spirits Competition from Tasting Alliance
4 p.m. Secrets of the Sommeliers & Cellar Tasting led by Wine Director Susanne Wagner and the Restaurant Latour team, this tasting of wines from the wine cellar is a festival favorite ($125)
4 p.m. The Spirit of Aged Whisky with Glenfiddich features a tasting of ultra-aged whiskies including the 18 and 26 year old expressions ($90)
6:30/7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Grand Tasting is the Festival’s signature event featuring more than 200 wines from over 50 wineries and bites from 30 top restaurants ($175; VIP $350; VIP admission 6:30pm, General Admission 7 p.m.).
Highlights of The Grand Tasting:
- Restaurant participants highlight New Jersey’s best including Lita, Ryland Inn, Heirloom at the St. Laurent, PastaRamen, Faubourg, Fiorentini, Uproot, Stirling Tavern, Char Steakhouse, South + Pine, Osteria Morini, Summit House, Blue Morel, Halifax, Andre’s, Bar Mutz, Crystal Tavern, Strickland’s Steakhouse, Essex County Country Club, Mike’s Pasta & Sandwich Shop, Rod’s Steakhouse, The Farm at Glenwood Manor, Black Sheep Bar & Provisions, 40 North Restaurant Group, and MM By Morimoto.
- VIP Experience: two floors featuring restaurants, premium wines, Champagnes and spirits; highlights include Special Guest Chef David Burke; legendary chocolatier and pastry chef Jacques Torres; a “Double Golds” bar of award-winning artisanal spirits presented by Tasting Alliance; the return of The Orange Squirrel by chef Francesco Palmieri for one night only; Restaurant Latour; Terroir (NYC) and more
- A wide range of wineries and Champagne houses from around the world
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Biosphere After Party in the Biosphere tropical pool complex with multiple bars, DJ, buffets and more. ($195)
Sunday, May 5
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cinco de Mayo Sunday Brunch ($50)
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About Crystal Springs Resort
Located in Hamburg, Hardyston and Vernon, NJ, Crystal Springs Resort is the only four-season resort of its kind in the Tri-State Area. Comprised of two luxury hotels – Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Resort & Spa; six renowned public golf courses; four-star Restaurant Latour; a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar since 2006; two full-service spas ranked #19 in Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas; the state-of-the-art Minerals Sports Club; and multiple indoor and outdoor pools, including the distinctive Biosphere Pool Complex with an underground aquarium, tropical foliage and free form nature pools.
Proceeds benefit the Blind Ambition Coalition, whose mission is to promote a higher quality of life to individuals with disabilities by providing social networking opportunities and creating disability awareness, establishing a strong community of disabled and non-disabled support.
