Four Must-Savor Events You Should Not Miss at Traverse City Food & Wine

Tips provided by Clair Butler from Taste the Local Difference

Do you hear that rumbling? Oh, don’t worry – it’s just our bellies, thinking of the delicious eats to be had at the inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine presented by 4front Credit Union! Traverse City Tourism is an expert host, and we can’t wait to see them set the table for this celebration of the local cuisine. From wine tastings, fine dining, or even goat yoga, we’ll be marking our calendars for exciting events August 20th through the 24th.

Here are a few we recommend for the local-forward eaters:

The Grand Tasting

All these fantastic, hyper-local events frame the festival's ultimate peak: the Grand Tasting. On the Main Stage, we’ll listen to conversations and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs like Mei Lin, Kate Williams, and Tyler Florence, all while perusing an incredible array of local products. From samples of local produce to tastes of local products and sips of local wines, we’ll prepare our tastebuds for the party of a lifetime.

Tyler Florence's American Grill

It isn’t summer if the barbecue or campfire isn’t involved, and who better to learn from than American Grill author (and Food Network superstar) Tyler Florence? Head to the fire at the Open Space for a cooking demonstration to remember, and enjoy freshly-grilled proteins and selected side dishes, all accompanied by locally-produced beverage pairings. Earn some serious backyard cooking know-how and enjoy local flavor all in one sitting!

Icons of Traverse City

If you’re hoping to grab a taste of Traverse City at a slightly smaller event, look no further than Icons of Traverse City: An Interactive Food and Wine Pairing Seminar, which will explore four dishes and eight wine tastings that exemplify the region at large. Expert wine educator and award-winning wine journalist Susan Kostrzewa will return to her hometown to celebrate her favorite bottles from the Old Mission and Leelanau AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), and invites you to learn from her experience. Event-goers will bring home great tips for serving and celebrating Michigan’s viticultural heritage.

Food & Wine Series: You be the Judge!

Are you a super taster? Put your tastebuds to work with this unique concept! This event with Cafe Exalt! at Brengman Family Wines will ask you to be the judge of the best wine pairing. Three entrees will be served, each along with a wine selected by experts vying for the pride of the best pairing. What a fun way to dine on three great dishes and try six wines, all while having some competitive fun!