New Jersey’s premier culinary celebration, the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival, will take place May 2-4 at Crystal Springs Resort, the Northeast’s largest four-season golf, spa and culinary resort and home to 4-star Restaurant Latour with its Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar, with acclaimed Guest of Honor Chef Francis Mallmann — this will be the legendary chef’s only appearance at a U.S. food festival this year.
Founded in 2009 by Crystal Springs Resort COO Robby Younes (NJRHA Hospitality Award winner), the 13th annual Festival is the only event of its kind in the state, attracting not only the best of local culinary talent but some of the world’s best-known chefs, as well.
Since 2009, Younes, one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40, has built the Festival into a showcase for New Jersey’s impressive food scene while bringing some of the world’s most famous chefs to the Garden State. Previous Guest Chefs of Honor include José Andrés, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Tom Colicchio, Michael White, Marc Forgione and David Burke among others — it’s the only event in New Jersey to consistently host this caliber of culinary talent — while the Festival’s signature The Grand Tasting on Saturday May, 3 brings together chefs from the Garden State’s best restaurants including Daniel Brunina of Ryland Inn; AJ Capella of Summit House; Antonio De Ieso of Fiorentini; Jesa Henneberry of Maize Cocina & Cocktails; Olivier Muller of Faubourg; Jamie Knott of Saddle River Inn; Andrew Riccatelli of The Hudson Rose; and more.
The Festival kicks off on Friday, May 2 with three events: the exquisite Chef’s Garden Dinner with Chef Francis Mallmann, South America’s most famous chef, who will showcase his signature open-fire cooking and wines from Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon, the oldest winery in Mendoza, Argentina; the popular Top Chefs & Top Wines dinner with three chefs from Bravo TV’s hit “Top Chef” Season 21 as well as Crystal Springs Executive Chef Aishling Stevens and the Restaurant Latour team; and Cabaret & Cocktails featuring an NJ bartender competition. Saturday, May 3 experiences will feature food and drink tastings, winemakers, interactive cocktail classes and much more — full schedule of events here.
