Minnesota Monthly‘s 20th annual Food & Wine Experience is just around the corner, taking place this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday March 1 and 2. The event upgraded its digs a few years ago, moving into Target Field’s VIP/event spaces on the Club Level tier, above the main-level seating, with a stellar view of the diamond. Here’s how we’re celebrating the most delicious weekend of the year in style:
Grand Red Tasting Takes Place at the W Hotel
We’ve partnered up again with the Parasole restaurant group to host the Grand Red Tasting at the swanky W Minneapolis – The Foshay. Think of the Grand Red as a more focused, intimate offshoot of the main Food & Wine Experience hosted by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tim McKee, the Vice President of Culinary Development for Parasole.
“One of the things I enjoy is seeing how the different small plates from all of the restaurants work with the wines,” says McKee. “It’s kind of an education for people attending, not just a party.”
McKee will be pairing a carefully curated selection of red wines from around the globe with food prepared by his team of chefs from the whole Parasole crew, including Chino Latino, Manny’s, and Muffuletta.
“There are a lot of great dishes this year,” says McKee. “The one I’m looking forward to most might be Adrienne Odom’s chocolate tart. I’m not a sweet tooth guy, but the curry in that sounds really interesting.”
Get Schooled
Food & Wine only lasts one weekend, so multi-tasking is vital. Get a little education while you indulge by attending one of the Washington State wine seminars, like “Washington vs. the World,” which pits Washington State wines against those from other regions in a blind tasting. Or stop by the sake bar, where you can sip different sakes and get info on the brewing process.
More Beer!
There will be nearly 200 exhibitors offering food samples this year—a very effective way to get a taste of some of those restaurants that have been lingering on your to-try list. While grapes obviously predominate—more than 350 wines will be poured this year, including blends from 23 Washington State vineyards—there will also be more than 90 regional craft beers, including 20 pours from Bell’s Brewery and ciders from Angry Orchard and Crispin Cider Company.
For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit foodwineshow.com/tickets.
See you this weekend!
