The Main Tasting Pavilion will divide food and wine by continent. Many world regions will be represented, providing a wide assortment of styles, but all festival participants share one philosophy - a personal dedication to their artistry and a loyalty to local, fresh, in-season, and responsibly sourced ingredients.
In addition, the festival will feature an Artisanal Products and Boutique Wines Pavilion, Lost Culinary Arts Pavilion (aging, smoking, pickling, etc.), and Our Culinary Future Pavilion, which will include educational information about sustainable food production, preserving culinary traditions, and valuing food quality and variety.
The Festival --
Saturday, May 17, 2008 11am - 7pm
Sunday, May 18, 2008 11am - 6pm
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Artisanal Products and Boutique Wines Pavilion
This pavilion is dedicated to the growing trend of handcrafted artisanal products, which are made with great care and attention to detail, such as premium sea salt, cheese, bread, chocolate, coffee, teas, beer, olive oils, ice cream, etc. Boutique Wines will feature vineyards making fewer than 5,000 cases per year and specialty wines from larger vineyards made in limited quantity. These exclusive wines present a particular passion by the winemaker.
The Mini-Lounges
Our Mini-Lounges placed throughout the festival site will offer guests an alternative to the Main Tasting Pavilions. Here, in a more intimate and luxurious environment, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of cuisine appropriately paired with outstanding wines by the glass.
Seminars and Guest Chef Demonstrations
A varied selection of informative and entertaining educational sessions will be offered to both the consumer and trade professional. Accomplished chefs and wine experts will host demonstrations, tastings, and share signature dishes and techniques.
The Emporium
The bazaar-style emporium will present products from upscale manufacturers and purveyors from around the world such as fancy foods, specialty wines, tabletop items (cutlery, glassware, handcrafted accessories, etc.), high-end kitchen equipment, cookware, and chef's tools. Local farmers and artisanal producers will also be featured.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The festival is open to consumers and trade professionals and will appeal to oenophiles and epicures as well as novices looking to increase their knowledge and pleasure of food and wine.
ABOUT SHOWS, INC.
The Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor®, May 16, 17, and 18, 2008, is an inaugural, world-class event produced by Shows, Inc.
Since 1976, Shows, Inc. has presented numerous wine, arts, jazz, crafts, and design events such as The Annapolis Waterfront Arts Festival; Design for Living, Washington's Home Show; and The Virginia Wine Festival.
Shows Inc.'s sister corporation, United States Yacht Shows, Inc. has produced several sterling in-water boat shows since 1970 including the Annapolis Sailboat Show, the world's biggest; Annapolis Powerboat Show; Bay Bridge Boat Show; and beginning in May, 2008, The Yacht Show at National Harbor®.
Lynn Schwartz, the festival's show manager, has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry as a restaurateur, event manager, and writer. She served as chief operations officer for Keens Restaurant Group, with locations in New York City, California, and Ireland, and was a founding partner of Temple Bar in New York City. She has authored numerous articles about food and accomplished chefs.
