Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert – A gastronomic extravaganza and sensory showdown

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Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert – A gastronomic extravaganza and sensory showdown

Written by Michelle Roe, Photography by Christopher Allwine/CoachellaValley.com

Celebrity Chefs, a James Beard 4 course Gourmet luncheon, cooking demonstrations, seminars and culinary treats transformed the Ferguson Grand Tasting Tent in Palm Desert into a three day foodie fest, March 27-29^th, to delight in an epic dining experience.

Food and Wine Festival in Palm Desert by Craige Campbell/CoachellaValley.com

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert presented by Palm Springs Life Magazine showcased an amazing assortment of wines, kitchen merchandise and cuisine to an enthusiastic audience ready to sample the latest offerings from both local restaurant favorites as well as popular vintner selections from various regions.

In addition to the Ferguson Grand Tasting Tent and receiving reception area, three additional stages were established to welcome cooks and wine specialists in an intimate setting. On hand to share the gifts of their trade were nationally renowned chefs including Ari Taymor, Gale Gand, and Cat Cora joined by the likes of local Executive Chefs, Jennifer Town of Purple Room Restaurant and Stage, Andy Hubka, of Cork & Fork Restaurant, Gavin Grabe of Clementine’s Gourmet Market & Café, and Drew Davis of Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine…just  to name a few of the talented cooks found in eateries throughout the Coachella Valley.

Amidst cookbook signings and product demos, vendors readily offered up their recipes and recommendations for food pairings as happy revelers feasted on the enormous selection of small plates while waiting to hear the latest tips from Justin Baldwin of Justin Winery, Jeffrey Farthing of Purple Corduroy, and Steve Barry of Luna Olivo, Artisan Olive Oil as they demonstrated the artistry of their bounties.

Food and Wine Festival Palm Desert, by Craige Campbell/CoachellaValley.com

Standouts (subjective to one’s individual tastes, of course) were:

• Terlato Wine’s “Fizz 56” Brachetto Spumante Sparkling Red made from Italian grapes cultivated in Piedmont, Italy. Crisp, and refreshing it makes for a party in your mouth.

• Tinto Palm Springs (located in The Saguaro Hotel) served up a delicious lamb meatball bite with a sherry cream and black truffle. The spoon-sized presentation was equally appreciated for its utility as one did not have to juggle things in order to savor the sensational flavor.

• Wilson Creek Winery Almond Sparkling Wine has hints of the rich nutty flavors found in Amaretto and Frangelico for a sweet, smooth taste. This light bubbly is a marvel that pleases the palette.

• Sarabella Tuscan Jars created beautiful home décor accents using artful fruits and vegetables.

• TRIO Restaurant served up their travel plans for a classic Mediterranean Cruise.

• And new tea maker, Hankook Tea USA, Inc., had perhaps one of the most inventive items that might be useful in the aftermath of a decadent Bacchus like event…specialty tea sure to ease a hangover!

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert may have come to an end…but the gastronomic extravaganza and sensory showdown will leave longing memories.  The amazing dishes will only satiate the hungry for so long and it won’t be soon enough before this nourishing nirvana returns.  For more information go to www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com.

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