August 23, 2012
Intimate Brunch with Chef Jacques Pépin Highlights 7th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
NEWPORT, RI - As one of the most sophisticated wine and food events on the East Coast, the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will celebrate its 7th year September 21-23.
With a culinary line-up that includes world-famous chefs Emeril Lagasse and father-daughter duo Jacques and Claudine P�pin, the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will feature an exquisite variety of international wines, seminars, and wine tastings that is sure to please all attendees.
Additionally, the Festival will host a series of unique and exclusive wine events including a brunch, collectible wine dinner and meet-the expert opportunities that will further enhance the guest experience.
The most exclusive event is an intimate brunch with Chef Jacques P�pin and his daughter Claudine in the magnificent Gold Room of Marble House. Only 20 tickets will be sold for this unique opportunity on the morning of Saturday, September 22. The world-renowned chef, cookbook author, teacher and contributing editor to FOOD & WINE will share stories of his lifetime of cooking, while guests enjoy a menu inspired by recipes from Jacques' latest cookbook, Essential P�pin, served with wines by�Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte.
Each attendee will also receive a personally autographed copy of Essential P�pin, plus admission to Saturday's Grand Tasting, and premium seating at Jacques and Claudine's afternoon cooking demonstration. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity are $500 per person and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than 20 tickets will be sold.
Also new for 2012, on Saturday evening a select group of winemakers will participate in a Collectible Wine Dinner at The Elms. This private dinner will provide guests with special insights into collectible wines. Michael Greenlee, the Festival's Director of Wines, has personally hand-picked each wine to be featured, and will share his 25 years of experience in the industry.� The winemakers will be offering pours of their finest bottles and delectable dishes will be paired with each.
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On Friday evening, September 21, the Wine & Rosecliff gala will feature music, food and special vintages in one of the most beautiful and romantic venues in Newport.� Wine & Rosecliff offers guests an opportunity to experience an evening of high style, paired with fine wines amidst seaside Gilded Age splendor.
Featured during both Grand Tasting days, Saturday and Sunday, will be a "Meet the Experts" experience in the Porsche Lounge, hosted by FOOD & WINE Contributing Wine Expert Anthony Giglio.� He'll lead lively discussions with winemakers and an international cheese expert each day, and guests will get the chance to taste and learn about some of their special products, see the new-for-2012 Porsche Boxster, and chat with Porsche representatives.� There will also be a raffle to win a Bose Sound System, and Bolt Coffee will be serving an assortment of its products.
The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is also sponsored by National Trust Insurance Services, Buitoni, Porsche of Warwick, United Airlines, Alex & Ani, Stella Artois, Dasani, Alaska Seafood, Clarke Luxury Showrooms, Dave's Fresh Marketplace, Honest Tea, Vinho Verde & Wines of Portugal, Casa Cornoer and the Italian Trade Commission, Hyatt Regency Newport, Amtrak, Johnson & Wales University, Roseann Tully's Intermezzo, Travelocity, New England Home, Yankee Magazine, Chef Works and St�lzle.
All proceeds from the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area's historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts.� Its' 11 historic properties-seven of them National Historic Landmarks-span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2012 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, visit www.NewportMansionsWineandFood.org, or call (401) 847-1000.�
Tickets for individual events and seminars, as well as several weekend packages, are available for purchase now.
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
