The Grand Tasting

August 22nd, 2026

The main event! Taste the flavors of Traverse City and enjoy perfect bites and sips that epitomize the region. The Grand Tasting brings together dozens of tastemakers to enjoy a collective celebration designed to delight your senses.

Indulge in artful bites and inspired dishes made from the bounty of northern Michigan's fields, orchards, and waters. Sip on local wines and craft beverages, learn from renowned chefs, and enjoy iconic views of West Grand Traverse Bay.

About the Grand Tasting
VIP Experience
2025 Recap with Featured Talent and Event Program

About the Grand Tasting

(Back to top)

The main event. The marquee Grand Tasting is at the heart of Traverse City Food & Wine — a sprawling, summer-perfect afternoon celebration set against the breathtaking backdrop of West Grand Traverse Bay at the Traverse City Open Space. Roam between tents sampling artful bites and inspired dishes made from the extraordinary bounty of northern Michigan's farms, orchards, and waters, alongside more than 100 local wines and dozens of craft beverages.

On the Main Stage, chefs (lineup will be announced soon!) will demonstrate favorite dishes and you can then visit the Chef's Table to sample those dishes and collect the recipes behind each. The Main Stage will also feature lively conversations, and expert insights bring the art and craft of Michigan food and wine to life throughout the afternoon. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or simply love a beautiful glass, there's something here to delight every palate.

The Grand Tasting is a festive, free-roaming afternoon where the pours, the bites, and the company remind you why there is no place quite like northern Michigan in August.

VIP Experience

(Back to top)

The VIP Experience at the Grand Tasting is designed as a reflection of the working chefs, growers, producers, and hospitality professionals who have built Traverse City’s food and wine culture over decades. Together, the featured chefs represent the most lauded culinary voices in Traverse City and have collaboratively developed a collection of dishes reflecting the region’s agricultural diversity, decades-long relationships with exceptional farmers and producers, and the distinct styles for which each has been recognized.

The VIP Experience includes

Early access to the general admission area at the Grand Tasting
Highly curated food and beverage program showcasing the most respected culinary and hospitality talent in the region
Exclusive to the TVC VIP lounge with a variety of seating options
Private bar
Additional allocation of beverage pours 

VIP Featured Chefs

Myles Anton / Trattoria Stella
Jennifer Blakeslee + Eric Patterson / The Cooks’ House
Sarah Bobier / Artisan
Emily Stewart + Andy Elliot / Modern Bird
Sarah Welch + Cameron Rolka / Umbo

VIP Beverage Service & Team

Guests will experience a curated selection of limited-release Michigan wines chosen for their quality, distinction, and ability to compete on the world stage. The beverage program will feature cocktails and mocktails created by three of Traverse City’s most respected bartenders.

Amanda Danielson, Advanced Sommelier / Trattoria Stella
Deanna Hagmann / Modern Bird 
Kristen Warba / Trattoria Stella
Alex Yanski / The Cooks’ House

2025 Recap with Featured Talent and Event Program

(Back to top)