The Montclair Food & Wine Festival (MFWF) is back for its third year offering food and wine lovers (and bourbon and beer lovers too!) the area’s best chefs, quality wine and spirits, music, and more.
What began as a two day festival now runs from June 8th through the 13th, with four events.
“This year we’re excited to incorporate nearly 80 vendors, chefs and artisans in our events. It’s a great mix of craft distillers, farm-to-table chefs, hydroponic farmers, and, even Food Network personalities!” says founder and executive director Melody Kettle, who adds, “It’s very rewarding to see how the Festival has grown, and how well it has been received by the community.”
Sharon Sevrens, owner of Amanti Vino and co-executive Vice President of MFWF, adds, “Amanti Vino is thrilled to partner once again with the Montclair Food and Wine Festival. Once again, I had a blast working with the chefs to come up with some exciting pairings. I believe this is our most exciting lineup of food and wine yet! And we can’t wait to be involved with the Grand Tasting this year as well.”
While the MFWF certainly is about food, and wine, it is a charitable organization. Sevrens says MFWF is excited to raise money for Intensive Therapeutics (which provides Occupational Therapy for children with special needs), MACHE and St Joseph’s hospital this year.
The 2015 Festival kicks off on Monday, June 8 with the Gala Dinner at The Manor in West Orange. The area’s top chefs will offer a decadent, delicious menu paired with Rum Cocktail made with Busted Barrel Rum and wines curated by Amanti Vino. See the full drool-worthy menu here.
Gala Dinner
Monday, June 8, from 6 – 9:30 pm
The Manor, 11 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ
Tickets are $175, but lucky Baristanet readers who enter promo code “baristanet” will receive 10% off their ticket.
Next up The Kitchen Book Party & Bites on June 11. MFWF will co-host a free book signing with BSTV Entertainment, producers of the Food Network’s The Kitchen at Watchung Booksellers and Tiny Elephant. Stars from The Kitchen (which is filmed in Montclair) — Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, and Geoffrey Zakarian — will be on hand to meet fans and sign their cookbooks. On a first-come, first-serve basis, attendees will sample bites from each star’s cookbook prepared by Tiny Elephant, along with a Zakarian-inspired “Five O’clock Somewhere” cocktail crafted from Jersey’s own, Busted Barrel Rum and Blue J Syrups.
The Kitchen Book Party & Bites
Thursday, June 11 from 7 – 9 pm
Watchung Booksellers & Tiny Elephant, 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Free, but you must register in advance by emailing here.
Friday night offers Bourbon & Biergarten — a casual, outdoor evening on the grounds of Montclair Art Museum — filled with the finest bourbons and craftiest brews curated by Amanti Vino. Guests will enjoy food samplings from over 25 local restaurants and food artisans.
Bourbon & Biergarten
Friday, June 12 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Moutain Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Tickets are $85 and can be purchased online here.
The Festival ends with the Grand Tasting at Montclair Art Museum on Saturday, June 13. At the Grand Tasting, guests will enjoy an evening of diverse culinary offerings from many of the state’s finest restaurants (Check out the list here).Amanti Vino will be presenting wines and spirits from around the world.
Grand Tasting
Saturday, June 13. VIP admission at 6 pm / General Admission at 7 pm
Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Moutain Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Tickets are $95 for general admission, $135 for VIP admission and can be purchased online here.