Doing something that you love is the perfect way to celebrate the start of the new year! Travel, food, and wine are my passions, so I am very excited about kicking off 2013 with a trip the
Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival: Wine and Dine for the Arts (January 17-19). This culinary extravaganza will feature 250 global wines, spirits and craft beers, 60 chefs & restaurants, and 8 exciting events. The funds raised will benefit non-profit arts organizations in Albany, New York. A reception at City Hall, a Grand Tasting, a Slider Slam, and a Grand Gala Reception & 6-Course Dinner are a few of the great events on the schedule. There will even be two competitions: the Adirondack Appliance Signature Chef Invitational and the Barista Albany throwdown.
Chef Suvir Saran
One of my favorite chefs and all-around cool guy, the extremely talented and charming
Suvir Saran, is the Festival Honorary Chef. Chef Saran will be signing copies of his James Beard Award nominated book
Masala Farm at a VIP reception on Friday, January 18th. Not only has Chef Saran earned a prestigious Michelin Star, he was an absolute breakout star on season 3 of
Bravo's Top Chef Masters. To support the live auction at the Grand Gala, Chef Saran has generously donated a 4 course
dinner, plus dessert and wine for 8 people at his beautiful American
Masala Farm in Washington County (Upstate NY).
Yours truly will be at the Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival and I'm really looking forward to tasting the delicious creations that the Capital City chefs will cook up! Ticket prices for the various events are quite reasonable ($35-$160) and most activities take place at the
Hotel Albany. An All-Access VIP Pass is $900 and includes 2 tickets to ALL events and a copy of Chef Saran's book.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the
Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival website. Hope to see you there!
