A Symphony of Yum

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: October 2024

Massimiliano Proietti

If there’s a through-line in the history of tourism in the US in the last half century, it’s that travelers have been seeking destinations based on the vibrancy of its cuisine.

Markie Weinstein

That Highlands has long been a magnet for food lovers is evidenced by the extraordinary success of the Highlands Food and Wine Festival and its wealth of restaurants where a reverence for culinary excellence prevails.

Rachel Lewicki

When the Highlands Food and Wine Festival returns to town for its eighth year, November 7 through 10, it will feature not only out-of-town celebrity chefs, but the extraordinarily talented and accomplished chefs of Highlands.

Clay Turner

Festival goers will want to take a mini tour of the gastronomy of the Plateau and explore the cornucopia of local fare on display. Their scrumptious offerings alone are worth the price of admission at festival events, including the “Grand Tasting,” “Main Event,” “A Generous Pour,” “Truckin,’” and “A Shot at Redemption.”

Below is a roundup of who to look for and a taste of what to expect:

Jason Tardo

The paradigm of barbecue can be discovered at the Highlands Smokehouse stall at Truckin’- Intensely flavored, juicy, and perfectly smoky. The menu of tasty snacks from the Crafty Goat at Old Edwards with Chef Clay Turner (at The Grand Tasting and Truckin’) is perfect for nibbling with a glass of wine in hand, and should a sudden craving for a nice chunk of cheese together with a perfect hunk of meat overcome you to pair with that perfect glass of wine, you’ll want to meet Sophie Delaney of One Wicker Cheese – she’ll, be at the Grand Tasting. Whether you attend the Grand Tasting or A Shot at Redemption, be sure to visit Rachel Lewicki of the Secret Garden, whose prowess with charcuterie is the stuff of local legend.

Jon Johnson

Chef Massimiliano Proietti of Paoletti’s will most certainly show off his otherworldly ability to create and capture the flavor of Italy and he will do it at all of the festival events.

Exemplary pizza is certain to be discovered by those who seek out Jon Johnson of Four65 Woodfire Bistro at the Main Event.

Chris Huerta

New to the Highlands Culinary landscape is chef Gustavo Villota of Stubborn Buddha who will bring his contemporary pan-Asian tastes to the Grand Tasting.

“Local, fresh and sustainable” are the watchwords of another new arrival to the local scene, Aaron Kulzer of Trailborn Hotel – he’ll be cooking up his tasty Southern specialties at the Grand Tasting.

Kevin McCarley

Also, a newcomer this year is Kevin McCarley of The Stubborn Bull, known for his flavorful interpretations of Spanish food.

Markie Weinstein, the newly-anointed head chef at Highlands’ home base for the dining scene and bona fide hang out, the Ugly Dog Pub, will show off her wizardry with snazzy pub food at the Grand Tasting.

Sophie Delaney

Long-time Old Edwards Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director Chris Huerta’s passion for local and seasonal cooking with a Southern flare is well known.

Gustavo Villota

That ethos is reflected in the samples he will serve at The Grand Tasting – a tasting of the menus at Half-Mile Farm (with Executive Chef Jason Tardo), Madison’s and the Old Edwards Club.

The chefs listed here are accurate as of this writing. To learn about more local restaurants joining the roster, visit highlandsfoodandwine.com.