Ilani Wine & Food Fest
Ticket & Event Information
Date & Time: October 25-27, 2019, see schedule below for times
Location: Ilani Casino, Ridgefield, Washington
The chef participants for this event are nothing short of incredible, with their mouthwatering traditional plates as well as signature dishes. An added lure of the featured chefs is their appearances on some of the nation’s top cooking shows and magazines. Guests can watch Chopped and Knife Flight champion Bruce Kalman, Top Chef contestant BJ Smith, Beat Bobby Flay judge Brian Duffy, and 15 plus other highly esteemed chefs. A list of these chefs can be found below. The event, however, isn’t just for foodies or wine lovers. Grand Tasting events throughout the weekend feature over 1,000 wines, beers, and specialty spirits, so there’s something for everyone.
Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com for individual events or in bundles. The bundles are recommended for the maximum food and drink tasting at the best price. Prices vary based on date and event. More information can be found at ilaniresort.com.
Friday, October 25
The Grand Tasting
7:00pm – 11:00pm | Meeting & Entertainment Center
This main event includes samples of over 1,000 featured wine, beer, and spirits as well as signature dishes from the region’s highest-rated restaurants. Between samples, guests can watch celebrity chefs demonstrate their signature dishes on the Main Culinary Stage.
Tastings & Pairings – Michael Jordan’s Steak House Wine Tasting & Food Pairing
7:30pm – 9:00pm | Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse
Michael Jordan’s Steak House hosts this three course dinner complimented by an award winning local vineyard.
Tastings & Pairings – Rose & Thorn’s Bourbon Tasting
7:30pm – 10:00pm | Rose & Thorn
Rose & Thorn hosts guests for a varietal bourbon tasting accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and cigar sampling.
Saturday, October 26
Bloody Mary & Bubbles Brunch
10:00am – 1:00pm | Rose & Thorn
Get one of the two classic breakfasts drinks complimented by cooked to order frittatas, cured salmon, seasonal crudité, antipasto, and finish off with dessert.
The Grand Tasting
Noon – 5:00pm | Meeting & Entertainment Center
This main event includes samples of over 1,000 featured wine, beer, and spirits as well as signature dishes from the region’s highest-rated restaurants. Between samples, guests can watch celebrity chefs demonstrate their signature dishes on the Main Culinary Stage.
Vintage Elite Cru Tasting
1:30pm – 3:30pm | Muze
Get one-on-ones with the winemakers who create some of the best vintages. Indulge in this unique opportunity learn the behind the scenes of their craft.
Celebrity Chef Dine Around
8:00pm – 11:00pm | Meeting & Entertainment Center
Celebrity chefs will serve their greatest dishes paired with fine wine or premium beer.
Sunday, October 27
VIP Chef & Champagne Brunch
11:30am – 1:00pm | Michael Jordan’s Steak House
Brunch paired with Willamette Valley sparkling Rosé.
Bloody Mary & Bubbles Brunch
10:00am – 1:00pm | Rose & Thorn
Get one of the two classic breakfasts drinks complimented by cooked to order frittatas, cured salmon, seasonal crudité, antipasto, and finish off with dessert.
The Grand Tasting
Noon – 5:00pm | Meeting & Entertainment Center
This main event includes samples of over 1,000 featured wine, beer, and spirits as well as signature dishes from the region’s highest-rated restaurants. Between samples, guests can watch celebrity chefs demonstrate their signature dishes on the Main Culinary Stage.
Paint & Sip
Noon – 3:00pm | Muze
The paint & sip offers a relaxing ending to a fun, food-filled weekend. The event is in the name: sip some wine while participating in a painting class brought to you by Ridgefield Art Association. Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter, Abigail Rockwell will be singing a collection of jazz music and taking part in a Q&A.
Featured Chefs
Bruce Kalman
• co-owner of Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market in Los Angeles • championship title on Food Network’s Chopped • won on Bobby Flay and Esquire Network’s Knife Flight • contestant on season 15 of Bravo’s Top Chef •
BJ Smith
• owner and executive chef of Dolores in Portland, Oregon • contestant on season 14 of Top Chef • combines fine dining techniques with an approachable menu by his conceived Smokehouse concept •
Brian Duffy
• appeared on Spike TV’s Bar Rescue • regular judge on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay • consultant and executive chef at Seafood American • studied at Philadelphia’s The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College •
Chad Rosenthal
• owner of Lucky Well in Philadelphia as well as other BBQ, comfort food, and Vietnamese restaurants • cast on season 9 of Food Network Star & returned as a Fan Favorite on season 10 • finalist on Chopped Grill Masters Napa •
Deepak Kaul
• worked in San Francisco, New York City and London at restaurants Jardiniere and Union Pacific • dream is to reimagine cuisine of his Indian heritage in his next culinary adventure, Bhuna Restaurant •
Frank Bilotti
• contestant on season 13 of Gordon Ramsay’s HELLS KITCHEN • appeared on Food Network’s Chopped • studied at Johnson and Wales University in Rhose Island •
Kevin Des Chenes
• executive chef, “Private Chef to The Stars” • author of Beyond My Chef Coat • named “Top Chef” by Las Vegas Food & Wine • winner of Top Celebrity Chef Showdown • appeared as featured chef on Food Network’s Chef Wanted, Great Food Truck Race & Beat Bobby Flay, as well as The Today Show, Nationally Syndicated Better Show, CT Style, Pickler & Ben, Fox Morning Show & The Rhode Show •
Mike Elder
• undefeated on TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off • founded Black Sheep Custom Cakes • known for his outlandish sculptures for his clean and realistic designs •
Mutsuko Soma
• one of Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2019 • founded Kamonegi, which was Seattle Met’s 2018 restaurant of the year • on James Beard Award semifinalists for the second year in a row • on Food and Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs 2019 •
Nick Liberato
• founded catering business Calidelphia • appeared on Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters • appeared on Spike TV’s Bar Rescue • took over Venice Whaler in Venice Beach as executive chef/owner in 2014 •
Pete Blohme
• founded Panini Pete’s Café in The Fairhope French Quarter, which was recently voted number 1 sandwich shop in Alabama • regular on Food Network for a decade • featured on Diners Drive-ins & Dives, Guy’s Big Bite, and Guys Grocery Games • guest judge on Food Truck Wars with Tyler Florence • performed over 25 live food shows while touring with the Guy Fieri Road Show •
Rick Browne
• conceived of, created and was the Editor-In-Chief of Barbecue America Magazine • instructor on cavetools.com‘s Grill Master University online cooking course • creator, host, and executive producer of Barbecue America TV series • conceived, co-produced and hosted two seasons of the Outdoor Channel’s cooking and travel •
Ronnie Lee
• chef, pitmaster, and owner of Lil’ Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ restaurant group in Tofino, BC • mastered art of cooking primal cuts over full log wood fire •
Rose Lawrence
• featured on many of LA’s “best of” lists for her bagels, pies, pastries, and brunch • lawyer by trade, Rose fights for food justice when not cooking/baking • confronts food access issues with Red Bread’s food delivery, food instruction, and food education •
Tom Pisha-Duffly
• draws inspiration from his travels in Southeast Asia to create Portland restaurant Gado Gado with his wife • restaurant celebrates his Indo-Chinese heritage •
Tu David Phu
• named 2017 Rising Star Chef by San Francisco Chronicle • featured contestant on season 15 of Bravo’s Top Chef • host for ABC’s Taste Buds: Chefsgiving • nominated for a James Beard Award •
Tyler Anderson
• currently owns five restaurants throughout Connecticut, including the multiple award-winning Millwrights Restaurant & Tavern in Simsbury • been nominated as best chef in the Northeast by the James Beard Foundation for the past six years • appeared on season 15 of Bravo’s Top Chef • won on Food Network’s Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay •
