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Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival Keeps Growing

Story by Justin Grimes

Planning for the upcoming annual Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival is ongoing. Recently added to the four-day event, which takes place Thursday through Sunday, April 15 to 18, in downtown Blowing Rock, is a Festival Meet and Greet.

“We’ve just added the Festival Meet and Greet to the events,” said Stephanie Keener, membership services director of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “The new event will take place Friday, April 16, between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the big tent located on the Maple Street lot.” Admission is $5.

According to Keener and the festival’s website, the new event is intended to be a “fun and casual social event new to 2010. Join winemakers, cookbook authors, food critics and other professionals. Talk one-on-one about experiences in the world of wine and food. Swap stories. Laugh. Make new friends. Have fun!”

The guest list for the event includes Bob Timberlake, artist; Donna Florio, senior food writer for Southern Living Magazine; Moreton Neal, food editor for Raleigh Metro Magazine; Jane Garvey, regional editor for Gayot.com; Marcia Langhenry of the Atlanta Journal Constitution; and representatives from Wine to Water, Hanover Park Vineyard and more.

The festival opens Thursday, April 15, with what the organizers bill as a “must do” event. The official kick-off celebration combines entertainment, wine and food at The Chetola Resort. The theme of the opening is “A Taste of Rio.” Sample Brazilian inspired food- like roasted meats and fresh salads, while enjoying music and a casual atmosphere. The party will also feature Brazilian music and dancing, plus a live art auction to benefit local charity.     

On Friday, April 16, all across Blowing Rock, participants will enjoy wine seminars and cooking classes. Among the many classes planned are Food for the Perfect Party and Wine Tasting 101.

Taste wines from around the globe on Saturday, April 17, under the main tent, where a wide assortment of wines will be available for tasting from North Carolina wineries as well as vineyards from around the world.

Parking will be available at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway, the Hayes Performing Arts Center and around town. The festival shuttle will make stops at the Grand Wine Tasting, in downtown Blowing Rock, the Hayes Performing Arts Center and Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway, so you can always get back to your vehicle with ease.

On Saturday and Sunday, guests watch the final rounds of the Fire on the Rock Chef Challenge. This competition is a battle between the area’s best-known chefs. Watch the battles live on stage at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. The semifinals will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The winners of those heats will compete in the final, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. A single ticket for all three rounds can be purchased for $25.

The Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue Department will facilitate the event. Firemen help manage the event, educate attendees about fire safety and provide fire watch protection during the competition.

Keener encourages everyone to check the festival website regularly. “We are constantly adding new things for this year’s festival,” she said.
Keener expects more than a thousand guests to participate in this year’s events.