DJ Shaun O’Neale, Winner of FOX Hit TV Show, MasterChef, and Guy Stout, one of only 215 Master Sommeliers in the world, join as This year’s Wizard Gourmet and Wine Wizard Master of Ceremonies
HOUSTON – Wine & Food Week 2018, presented by H-E-B, is an all-inclusive, weeklong, multi-faceted, culinary and wine extravaganza perfect for the beginner to the serious wine collector, drawing avid foodies and wine and craft beer enthusiasts from across the region to The Woodlands, June 4-10. For more than a decade, Wine & Food Week, under the direction of Food & Vine Time Productions, showcases the culinary excellence in the Houston community alongside national and international wines at wine tastings, wine dinners, seminars, the Celebrity Cruises Platinum Wine Vault Collector’s Tasting, special events, Taco Takedown Competition, casual wine walks culminating in an elaborate Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase featuring the Cadillac VIP Premium Lounge and the Gloria Ferrer Bubbles Cove.
“We are excited to taste the love from around the world this year by bringing in culinary experts from around the globe including the highest rated Chefs in the Caribbean, Mexico, winners from The Food Network and other highly rated culinary shows along with The New Wines of Ancient Thrace covering nine European countries,” states Constance McDerby, founder of Food & Vine Time Productions. “Wine & Food Week is a wonderful time for the people of the Houston community to come together and experience this international wine and gastronomy experience, the largest, most comprehensive event from New Orleans to Aspen.”
This year, Wine & Food Week, will again host over 75 chefs, hundreds of wines with well-versed industry representatives including this year’s Gourmet Wizard, Shaun O’Neale and Wine Wizard Master of Ceremonies, Guy Noel Stout.
Shaun O’Neale, a self-taught chef, exploded onto the culinary scene in 2016 when he claimed the title of America’s best home cook and was named Season 7 Champion of MasterChef on FOX, after winning over the palates of Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, Daniel Boulud and Wolfgang Puck with his bold flavors and flawless presentation. Shaun became a culinary star with the release of his debut cookbook “My Modern American Table.”
Houston icon and Master Sommelier, Guy Stout is one of only 215 Master Sommelier (MS) in the world and one of the first in America. He is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Spirits Specialist (CSS) and previous President of the Society of Wine Educators.
This year’s theme is “Taste the Love”, celebrating flavors from all over the globe and Houston’s exploding foodie scene. The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase on Saturday, June 9, features food from 75 world-renowned chefs and restaurants such as Erwin Huskin of Screaming Eagle Restaurant from Aruba; Peruvian Chef, Yamila Castre of Latin Bites, Fernando Desa, International Corporate Chef of Goya Foods and Corporate Executive Chef Clarence Alexander of Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse to name a few. Of these participating chefs, sixty will be vying for the coveted national Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs award and $5,000 cash prize, while inspired renowned pastry chefs simultaneously compete for the Just Desserts the $1,000 cash prize and trophy. Past participating chefs and restaurants include 2017 winner, Hassan Obaye of La Table; Santiago de la Cruz, of The Woodland’s Country Club; Jesse Cavazos of Crú.
Food & Vine Time Productions has raised well over a million dollars through various channels for local charities over the years. 2018 Wine & Food Week benefits New Danville, an integrated community where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live, learn, work and grow with their peers, in an effort to improve the lives of their neighbors; and The John Cooper School’s Signature Author Series that assists with literacy efforts in Montgomery County through a highly anticipated annual event that has featured past keynote speakers such as Barbara Bush, Anthony Bourdain, Nicholas Sparks, Gillian Flynn and more. Also benefiting is The Woodlands Arts Council, whose mission is to provide regional cultural and educational enrichment through community events, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and programs that support the performing, visual and literary arts.
To purchase tickets, book a hotel room, sign up to volunteer and for more general information, please visit www.wineandfoodweek.com. For all media inquiries, please contact Cristina Calderon at [email protected] or 713-225-0880.
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Wine & Food Week, produced by Food & Vine Time Productions, is the first multi-day, multi-faceted, comprehensive destination culinary and wine event in Houston Metro and the first nationally to promote locally sourced and sustainable products. Owners Clifton and Constance McDerby are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and health of Houstonians by educating the novice to the aficionado on wines and fine dining featuring sustainable ingredients. Food & Vine Time Productions created another first with the state’s first multi-day craft beer destination and educational event featuring over 300 craft beer selections. Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival has been named #3 beer event in America by USA Today and #1 in Houston by Houstonia Magazine.
Food & Vine Time Productions also produces Wine Fair Cy-Fair, Zest in the West, Katy Sip & Stroll, BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival, Houston Chronicle Culinary Stars, Tomball’s Freight Train Food Truck Fest and a myriad of private events for various clients. Since its inception in 2005, Food & Vine Time Productions has assisted in raising well over a million dollars for local charities through live and silent auctions and cash donations.
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