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Blue Ridge Food & Wine Festival Kicks Off Thursday

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The Blue Ridge Food & Wine Festival is happening this weekend in Blowing Rock—from Thursday, April 10, through Sunday, April 13—with more events than you can throw a cork at. Our festival overview this week provides a good summary of the many event choices, but for a full schedule of events, along with times and prices, click to www.blueridgewinefestival.com.

Thursday, April 10

Thursday night’s Uncork the Festival event is sold out, attesting to the growing popularity of Blowing Rock’s salute to wine, food and spring, but you can still make reservations for one of two multicourse Vintners’ Dinners on Thursday evening at 7:00. Dominic’s Table at the Inn at Crestwood and the Library at the Green Park Inn are hosting dinners that night. For those who want to extend the evening, the Wine to Water fundraiser at Meadowbrook begins at 10:00 p.m.

Friday, April 11

On Friday, Vintners’ Dinners are happening at 7:00 p.m. at Chetola, Crippen’s Country Inn, The Gamekeeper and Gideon Ridge.

You’ll see at a glance from the menus and wine pairings for these dinners, as well as the ones on Thursday night, that the chefs at each of these restaurants are pulling out all the stops to present exceptional dining experiences. Make reservations directly with the restaurant of your choice.

The festival schedule’s so packed on Friday that you’ll likely have to pick and choose among the many activities before you settle down for dinner that evening. Choose from cooking classes, wine-pairing seminars, wine tastings, a coffee tasting and free activities downtown.

Saturday, April 12

More downtown fun in Blowing Rock is happening Saturday, along with a watercolor workshop, a coffee tasting, and some of the festival’s biggest events: the Grand Tasting at Chetola and the first rounds of the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge at the Hayes Center.

The Grand Tasting from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. will feature an assortment of more than 100 wines from all over the world. The six-piece band Puddingstone will provide live music all afternoon, blending ancient and modern instruments for a unique and beautiful sound. Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Designated drivers can attend the event for $10.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, some of the finest chefs in Blowing Rock will show off their culinary skills in the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge. Residents and visitors alike will have an opportunity to see the High Country's finest chefs in action.

On Saturday, shuttles will be available to transport festivalgoers to parking areas, local shopping, dining, cooking classes, the chef’s challenge and the many other activities scheduled throughout the day.

On Saturday evening, Todd Wright performs at the Hayes Center.

Sunday, April 13

Begin Sunday with brunch at your choice of three restaurants—Canyons, Blowing Rock Grille or Ciao Bello—followed by the finale of the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge. And once the judges select the winning chef, the festival will be over for another year, but will be back in 2009.