Whether you are an oenophile or just like your “Two Buck Chuck” (though sadly, not still $2), the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience had an experience to fit any mood.
The annual event, held this year June 9-11, hosts some of the world’s best vineyards and serves some of the finest cuisine, making the wine and food pairings extraordinary.
There were three main stage events: Vinola, which is the highest level wine tasting of the event, and the Grand Tasting, showcasing vineyards from all over and food from New Orleans restaurants, both at The Orpheum Theater, while the Tournament of Rosés, featuring rosé wine and sparklers, was at The Fillmore. There were also educational seminars at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute and one of the favorites was “Native Strangers: Old World Grapes as New World Expatriates with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein.”
Closing out the weekend was the always-popular Burlesque, Bubbly and Brunch at the Omni Royal Orleans, where guests were greeted by a woman wearing a champagne hoop skirt which held flutes of Luc Belaire champagne and there were performances by Trixie Minx, Jeez Loueez and Angi B Lovely.
NOWFE also held its culinary awards and the two Best in Show awards, divided into Sweet and Savory, were won by Chef Eka Soenarko from Jack Rose, who made an ube, pistachio and Kataifi tiramisu and Chef Ronald Prone of the Rib Room at the Omni Royal Orleans, who made A5 Waygu atop a fried rice cake with Cajun caviar and torched bernaise sauce. Other categories included Soups & Stews, Meat & Poultry, Seafood, Dessert and Lagniappe.
Fun Fact: NOWFE is a nonprofit organization that gives back to culinary education programs in New Orleans. Beneficiaries this year were the Delgado Community College Culinary Arts Program, The Edible Schoolyard, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF).
Andy Kutcher, Aimee Brown
Danielle Plauche-Shaw, Michael Morgan, Lorraine Streckfus
Eka Soenarko, Mark Amato
Jessica Ortiz, James Cruse
Jorge Lauriano, Jimmy Buckel
