More than 10,000 expected to toast 5th annual Texas-style epicurean extravaganza-- HOUSTON (March 23, 2009) … No matter what your knowledge of vintages and vintners, you’ll find a world of down-to-earth wine knowledge and fun at the 5th Annual Wine & Food Week scheduled to uncork May 26-31, 2009, in the piney woods Houston suburb of The Woodlands. This year’s epicurean adventure explores the tastes of Texas.

Wine & Food Week welcomes national and international winemakers, culinary experts, gourmands and those who just want to savor the flavor while learning something new in a beautiful setting. With 40 sensational events, a myriad of wine and culinary icons are flocking to Houston to take part in this elite event… toasting the novice to the enthusiast. Renowned chefs from throughout Texas and beyond showcase their culinary expertise partnered with more than 500 wines from around the world.

The Wine Walk @ Market Street on May 29 is a festive evening filled with live cooking demonstrations, jazz, and wine tasting stations in 30 retail stores and galleries in Market Street. New this year is the Texas Tasting Room featuring wines, foods and other products all produced in Texas.

The week’s culinary competition culminates at the premiere event saluting chefs from Texas and beyond. The Waterford Crystal Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Texas Chef Showcase includes chef demonstrations along with 500 outstanding wines and 50 restaurants serving fine foods personally prepared by renowned local, regional and internationally-acclaimed chefs. Food judges include Iron Chef Winner Kent Rathbun, owner and executive chef of Abacus and owner of Jasper’s, Addie Broyles, food writer for the Austin American-Statesman, and Texas Monthly Restaurant Critic Patricia Sharpe who will present the Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs Award.

Along with the expected Wine & Dine dinners and luncheons, Wine & Food Week attendees may choose from favorites such as The Ladies of the Vine Luncheon, It’s a Guy’s Thing, Wines on the Waterway and Dine on the Waterway tours on climate-controlled water taxis, World Wines Happy Hour, A Hot Summer Night as well as a brunch-and-learn tasting road trip to Shenandoah and Bernhardt Winery.

Major sponsors of Wine & Food Week include Waterford Crystal, Zagat, Continental Airlines, Texas Monthly, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, Community Coffee, and KRIVTV, FOX 26 News. 

As the first major destination culinary and wine event in the country to go “green”, the Wine & Food Week auction benefits the U.S. Green Building Council in Houston. The green emphasis places focus on the merits of mindful, sustainable living. Most of the 40 events are held at the Marriott Waterway in The Woodlands, with several wine dinner offerings at restaurants in Houston. For ticket information and a complete schedule, visit www.wineandfoodweek.com or call 713.557.5732.

Contact: Robin Cavanaugh
713.851.4478
robincavanaugh@comcast.net