OCT 2-4: AMERICAN WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Returns With 3-Day Extravaganza (Featured Event)

Posted by Don Rose

The American Wine & Food Festival returns this weekend and promises to be better than ever. Three straight days of the very best in food, fun and festive entertaining enjoyment. As in previous years, the main event is Saturday night, but the days before and after will be stellar as well. AWFF is arguably the best annual wine and food event in Los Angeles, so we heartily recommend you attend... and enjoy! Details on each day follow below. For more information, see the official AWFF website at http://www.awff.org.

Red Hot Friday Kickoff Celebration

Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 - 7 p.m.
Location: Voyeur - "LA's new, exclusive nightlife destination"
7969 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles (valet parking)

Designed to whet the appetites of Festival first-timers and alums alike, this party offers chic eats by Wolfgang Puck Catering paired with terrific wines and innovative libations by Ultimat Vodka and Beam Global Spirits & Wines - all set to the sounds of a DJ playing your favorite music. The intimate lounge setting is perfect for mingling with philanthropists and foodies who are newcomers and well-knowns on the Los Angeles scene. Red Hot Kickoff Celebration tickets are available for $150 per person.

Saturday Evening American Wine & Food Festival

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009 - 5-11 p.m.
*5:00 PM Wolfgang Puck VIP Cooking Demonstration
*VIP entrance available only with tickets purchased through Festival Patron and MasterCard® promotions. (contact 1-800-964-4742 or offers@octagon.com)
6:00 PM Festival Opens
Location: Universal Studios Backlot
3900 Lankersheim Blvd., Gate 3, Universal City, CA

Staged against the backdrop of movie sets, the signature Saturday night event returns, once again, to Universal Studios Backlot. As dusk falls, a spectacularly lit movie set provides the stage for a culinary scene like none other: An unrivaled epicurean feast prepared by world-renowned chefs, superb libations including fine wines and smooth spirits, and a silent auction filled with luxury items - all set to swinging sounds of live bands. Cap the night off in “The Lounge” – an after-hours retreat featuring sparkling wines from the Loire Valley Region of France and whimsical desserts by Pastry Chefs Francois Payard and Spago's Sherry Yard. Kick back in cozy niches under the stars or dance the night away to live bands. Saturday American Wine & Food Festival tickets are available for $300 per person online or $350 at the door. Table reservations are available from $3,500.

Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Spago Beverly Hills
176 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA

Wolfgang Puck, Lee Hefter & Barbara Lazaroff with Chef de Cuisine Thomas Boyce & Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard welcome several of the world’s finest chefs to prepare an elegant six-course dinner at the 10th Annual Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner. This limited-seating event at Spago Beverly Hills is filled with exquisite dishes paired with select wines and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Celebrity chefs Gina DePalma of Ristorante Babbo; Dean Fearing of Fearing's at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas; Laurent Gras of L2O; Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts Pte Ltd; and Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA pair up, each preparing one course, for the grand gala dinner. Reservations for the Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner are available for $750 per person or $7,000 per table. Please contact Ellen Farentino, Spago, at (310) 385-0880.