Northstar California Resort Will Host the 30th Annual Autumn Food & Wine Festival this weekend, September 11th through 13th, with three days of food-themed activities, events, expositions, seminars and fun for the entire family to enjoy both in The Village and on the mountain.

One of the most celebrated culinary experiences in Lake Tahoe, The Autumn Food and Wine Festival welcomes connoisseurs of wine and cuisine delicacies to savor new flavors and expand their culinary knowledge on the mountain and in The Village at Northstar California, as well as at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.

“The Autumn Food and Wine Festival is a very special and exciting time here at Northstar,” said Beth Howard, vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort. “Each of the talented chefs featured throughout the weekend create delectable treats for every palate and The Village is bustling with excitement and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. It is a unique experience that is sure to satisfy locals as well as visitors to our beautiful area.”

Renowned regional chefs will compete head-to-head for the coveted first place award during the Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting which will be held on the final day of the festival, Sunday, September 13. Leading up to the grand finale are special events and seminars including a Vintner-Inspired Painting Class held at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, the popular Farm to Tahoe Dinner hosted in the iconic Zephyr Lodge on the mountain, a Progressive Picnic, and the much anticipated Blazing Pans Mountain Cook Off featuring executive chefs Robb Wyss of Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge and Jason Friendy of the Resort at Squaw Creek. This exciting event will be emceed by celebrity chef Joseph Keller who is sure to keep the audience, judges and dueling chefs on their toes. Additional details on each event offered throughout the weekend and ticket purchase are included below.

The highly acclaimed sponsors of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association’s 30th annual event are Stella Artois, Frei Brothers Reserve Wines, Edna Valley Vineyard, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill and Charbay Family Distillery & Winery.

Ticket Information - Purchase tickets for individual events or customize your weekend of epicurean adventures with the perfect combination of activities and seminars in the Two-Day Package including admission to the Wine & Brew Walk, the 30th Annual Anniversary Charbay Party and the Grand Tasting events for $150. Click here to view tickets and options. 

2015 Schedule of Events 

Friday, September 11, 2015
 
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Art of Mixology – The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Participants will incorporate freshly cut herbs from the chef’s garden, use of classic ingredients including bitters, and learn how to use infused liquor to create summer cocktails. This entertaining, educational experience will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, and will feature three cocktails paired with appetizers. Advance purchase of tickets is required. Walk-ins will be accepted on a space-available basis. $40 per person.

5:30 p.m. Wine Inspired Painted Vine Event – The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe will join with The Painted Vine, a local business based in Truckee, Calif. to offer a special evening painting a vintner-inspired picture. The class will include a painting class for two, cheese and dessert stations, wine and champagne in Café Blue. Advance purchase of tickets is required as seating is limited. $100. 48-hour advance reservations are required.

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Farm to Tahoe Dinner – The Zephyr Lodge, Northstar California Mountain
Featuring fresh, sustainable and locally-sourced produce and meats, Northstar California’s culinary team skillfully prepares a delicious dining experience sure to delight the palate. Escape up the mountain with a gondola ride to the iconic Zephyr Lodge for this multi-course plated dinner enjoyed with beer, wine and light beverages complemented by live music and panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the Pacific Crest. Advanced ticket purchase is required as seating is limited. $80.
 
Saturday, September 12, 2015

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Gourmet Marketplace Vendor Fair – The Village at Northstar California
Guests will delight in sampling some of the finest local and regional gourmet goodies and enjoying meandering the cobblestone walkways of The Village at Northstar all day long, experiencing the open-air marketplace. Vendors will display the best kitchen gadgets, fine linens and clothing, exquisite handmade jewelry, fine art, photography, spa products and much more. Access is complimentary.

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Hands-On Mozzarella Cheese Making with Chef Laura Ritchie of Nothing To It Culinary Center, Reno – The Overlook, The Village at Northstar
Continuing the ever growing love affair with all-things-cheese, Chef Lara will teach 25 guests how to make fresh Mozzarella cheese. The class is appropriate for children as young as nine years old. Chef Lara creates an atmosphere that is friendly, approachable, educational and delicious! Guests will have the opportunity to not only learn to create their own cheese confections, but also taste their masterpieces. Advance ticket purchase is recommended, however day-of tickets will be available on a space-available basis. $25.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Elevate Tahoe: Food Innovations at 6,000 Feet – Short Documentary Movie Screening and Panel Discussion – Tavern 6330’, The Village at Northstar
Is it possible to have a sustainable and regional food system here in Lake Tahoe? We say it is. “Elevate Tahoe: Food Innovations at 6,000 Feet” is a short documentary film that highlights Tahoe individuals and organizations with unique solutions to the food-related challenges that come with life at 6,000 feet. The innovations are varied, inspiring, and bear witness to a regional food revolution. It’s elevating to the spirit – which is why this film was made. The film is brought to guests by Elevate Tahoe, a collaboration between Moonshine Ink, SBS Media House, and the Tahoe-Truckee Community Foundation. Their mission: Through journalistic movies, we aim to uncover and highlight community innovations to overcome the challenges of life at 6,000 feet. Access is complimentary.
 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Take a Hike! Progressive Picnic – Northstar California Mountain
Trail food is taking on a new twist in this trailside beer tasting, progressive picnic and guided hike through the Tahoe National Forest. A professional trail guide explores the breathtaking wilderness and identifies the native flora and fauna. Trailside tasting stations will be set along the route and will be stocked with Goose Island artisan beers and gourmet tapas artfully paired with each beer. All ability leveled hikers are encouraged to participate. Advance ticket purchase is recommended, however day-of tickets will be available on a space-available basis. $50.
 
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Village Wine and Brew Walk – The Village at Northstar California
Join friends and family during The Village Wine & Brew Walk and prepare your taste buds for the Grand Tasting the following day. Leisurely meander through the cobblestone walkways tasting delicious varietals, shopping Northstar’s fine boutique shops and socializing during this casual, afternoon soiree. Wines featured in past years ranged from Napa, Sonoma, Eldorado, Lodi, Suisun Valley, the Foothills, Nevada City, the Central Coast and beyond. Beer aficionados will delight in fresh, cold craft beers from Stella, Goose Island, Kona Brewery and more. Souvenir tasting glasses are included and all participants must be 21 and over to join in. $25.
 
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Kid’s Zone – The Overlook, The Village at Northstar California
Kids and kids-at-heart can play on The Overlook Deck, where they will enjoy complimentary face painting, balloon sculptures, arts & crafts and a play area. Additional ticketed activities include the bungee trampoline, rock wall, spider web, gem panning and miniature golf.
 
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Petra Winemaker Luncheon – Petra, The Village at Northstar California
Petra owner and wine connoisseur, Kali Kopley, and a winery will host a delicious multi-course luncheon featuring award winning wines. Let the experts guide you through the delightful complexities and tastes of food and wine pairings. Menu details and wine selections to come. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as seating is limited, however day-of tickets will be available on a space-available basis. $60.   
 
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Cooking Demonstration by Executive Chef Scott Yorkey of Jake’s on the Lake – The Village at Northstar
Seminar details to come. Access is complimentary.
 
1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Oysters Three Ways and Wine Pairing with Nick’s Cove – Tavern 6330’, The Village at Northstar California
Advance ticket purchase is required. $40.
 
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Grilling Demonstration with Chef Jason Gronlund, Senior Vice President of Culinary at Smokeybones Bar and Fire Grill, Florida – The Overlook, The Village at Northstar
Chef Jason returns for one of the festival’s most highly-anticipated events, year after year. An accomplished grill master who respects the power of the open flame, Chef Jason keeps it simple, creating mouthwatering recipes. He knows medium-rare isn’t the only way to cook a steak, but believes it usually should be; and believes pork should be slow-smoked and pulled often. His contagiously high energy will have you rocking in your seat. Access is complimentary.
 
1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Vertical Mountainside Tasting with Truckee River Winery – The Village at Northstar and on the Mountain
Join Northstar and the Truckee River Winery for a wine tasting that truly elevates your taste buds. Guests will start in The Village for their first tasting and then take Big Springs Gondola to mid-mountain for their second tasting and some light snacks. The third and final tasting will take place at our picturesque Zephyr Lodge accessed via the Zephyr Express chair lift with gondola cabins. Guests will not only taste but enjoy a glass of their favorite tasting on The Zephyr Lodge deck while enjoying the view of Sawtooth Ridge.
 
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Cooking Demonstration by Executive Chef Sean Conry of Longboards Bar & Grill – The Village Stage, The Village at Northstar
Seminar details to come. Access is complimentary.
 
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Fall Harvest Dessert Cooking Demonstration with Northstar Chef Dan Carter – The Overlook, The Village at Northstar California
Back by popular demand, Northstar’s own Chef Dan Carter will show you fun and delicious ways to take advantage of the fall harvest by incorporating the season’s best fruits into mouthwatering desserts. His approachable teaching style makes this demonstration fun for the whole family. Access is complimentary.
 
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off – The Village Stage, The Village at Northstar
Emcee and celebrity chef Joseph Keller will keep the chefs and the crowd on their toes during this tough competition. Tahoe top chefs – executive chef Rob Wyss of Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge and Executive Chef Jason Friendy of the Resort at Squaw Creek will compete against each other in the ever-popular Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off. The two fearless competitors will prepare four courses of restaurant-quality dishes in an hour-long battle featuring a secret ingredient to be revealed at the very last second. The winner of Blazing Pans receives an award and forever bragging rights. Costumes, noisemakers and air horns are encouraged to cheer on your favorite competitor. Access is complimentary.

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Tahoe Long Table Harvest Dinner – Manzanita Terrace, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Prepared by The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe’s Executive Chef Stanley Miller, the Tahoe Long Table Harvest Dinner will feature a family-style dinner presentation of a special harvest menu that incorporates the freshest, locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients. This dinner will seat guests together at a long table on The Manzanita Terrace to enjoy six courses with wine pairings al fresco with views of the surrounding mountains. Advance reservations are required. $125 per person includes wine pairings.

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. – 30th Anniversary Autumn Food & Wine Festival Cocktail Party Presented by Charbay Distillery & Winery – Tavern 6330’, The Village at Northstar California
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Autumn Food & Wine Festival with Charbay Artisan Distillery and 13th generation Master Distiller Marko & Kenni Karakasevic of Charbay Artisan Distillery & Winery presenting a variety of handcrafted cocktails paired with delicious hors d’oeuvres and small plates skillfully prepared by Chef Jason Gronlund, Senior VP of Culinary, Smokeybones Bar & Fire Grill, Florida. Advance ticket purchase is required as space is very limited – it’s always a party when Marko is in the house! $75.
 
Sunday, September 13, 2015

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Sunday Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting – The Village at Northstar and The Overlook Pavilion
The most anticipated food, wine, spirits and brew event of the year! An al fresco afternoon tasting features more than 20 top chefs in the region paired with 20 premium wines, spirits and brews in a formally judged food and wine pairing competition. Each chef’s dish is paired with a varietal and vintage from the winery or brewery of their choice. It’s a culinary throw-down where chefs compete for the Best Marriage of Food and Wine/Beverage and Best Food categories as well as the coveted People’s Choice awards. The offerings are judged by a panel of food and wine industry experts, then the pairings are opened for ticketholders to enjoy.

Guest tickets also allow for sampling additional wineries, who will be pouring their finest varietals and vintages. In 2014, more than 70 wines were poured at this event. Great weather, spectacular food, fine wines, craft beers, artisan spirits and live music combined with friends and family make this a must-see event in the gorgeous mountain setting of North Lake Tahoe. $75 in advance, $95 the day of the event.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Gourmet Marketplace Vendor Fair – The Village at Northstar California
Guests will delight in sampling some of the finest local and regional gourmet goodies and enjoying meandering the cobblestone walkways of The Village at Northstar all day long, experiencing the open-air marketplace. Vendors will display the best kitchen gadgets, fine linens and clothing, exquisite handmade jewelry, fine art, photography, spa products and much more. Access is complimentary.

Ticket Information - Purchase tickets for individual events or customize your weekend of epicurean adventures with the perfect combination of activities and seminars in the Two-Day Package including admission to the Wine & Brew Walk, the 30th Annual Anniversary Charbay Party and the Grand Tasting events for $150. Click here to view tickets and options.