Nosh and sip
Gourmands, prepare yourselves. This weekend is the 17th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest, and the event, as always, promises an amazing array of delectable foods and magnificent wines.
The traditional aspects of the fest are still here, from the Grand Tasting to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around, but there are some fresh additions as well.
The new events are a Brunch Battle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Uncas Ballroom, where two local chefs will compete to whip up the best brunch to serve to celebrity judges Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag, Maneet Chauhan and Marc Murphy. Tickets are $90.
And a Champagne Brunch will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at novelle. Tickets are $20, and food is sold separately from an a la carte brunch menu. Run DMC’s Rev Run, who was previously announced for the brunch, will not be able to attend due to a scheduling conflict. But on hand will be Tom & Tom from Bravo’s “Vamderpump Rules,” Cynthia Bailey and Mike Hill from Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and newly crowned Miss America Camille Schrier. Brandi Cyrus will DJ.
Also part of the Sun Wine & Food Fest:
Bourbon Tasting presented by Beam Suntory, Inc., 6-9 p.m. Friday, Earth Ballroom; tickets $90. NBA all-star Charles Oakley will make a special appearance.
Cigar and Wine Pairing presented by 19 Crimes, 10-11 p.m. Friday, Clay Pipe; tickets $50 in advance, $55 that day
Grand Tasting Preview, 7-10 p.m. Friday, Earth Expo & Convention Center; tickets $45 regular admission, $20 designated drivers. Singer Maggie Rose will perform, and Ben Robinson from Bravo’s “Below Deck” and “Below Deck Mediterranean” will be part of a chef demonstration.
Grand Tasting, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Earth Expo & Convention Center; tickets $95 regular admission, $20 for designated drivers; VIP hour 11 a.m.-noon. Richard Blais, who won Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars” and is a recurring judge on “Top Chef” and “Master Chef,” will be on hand.
Vintage Cru, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Earth Ballroom; tickets $140
Celebrity Chef Dine Around, 8-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Uncas Ballroom; tickets $190. A taste of TAO with a showcase of dining options by Ralph Scamardella, partner/chef with Tao Group Hospitality; TAO Restaurant at Mohegan is set to open this year. Also in attendance will be Cynthia Bailey and Mike Hill from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and Miss America Camille Schrier.
Celebrity Chef After-Party, presented by J. Vineyards, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., novelle; no cover
Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, and the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
A portion of all proceeds go to the Channel 3 Kids Camp, which provides fun year-round opportunities to children of all abilities, families and communities through educational and recreational programs.