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April 1, 2008 — (Editor's note: Navigate to the end of this story to see the complete Taste of Vail event schedule)
For nearly as long as it’s been known for its skiing, Vail has been known for its fine dining. Early comers to the Vail culinary scene, like the pre-eminent La Tour, have been joined by upscale creations like the Game Creek Restaurant and Kelly Liken, and old and new have combined to make the palate as important as the powder.
Through most of the year, these varied culinary forces work independently to create a world-renown wine-and-food scene in the Vail Valley. Yet among the many events which celebrate the culinary cache of Vail, only one brings the skills of the valley’s chefs and sommeliers together, in concert, along with nationally-renown talent, at a level which transforms the entire mountain community. Now in its 18th year, that event is the Taste of Vail, set to take place April 2-5, 2008.
The Taste of Vail elevates the culinary scene in town right from the start. The Colorado Lamb Cook-Off brings the Valley’s (and some of the world’s) finest chefs together in a head-to-head competition. Perhaps the best part about it is that it takes place outdoors, along the cobblestones of Vail’s springtime streets, and anyone with an inkling can saunter into a tent to taste lamb at its finest.
The social atmosphere of the Lamb Cook-Off sets the tone for a week where wine and food mingle in infinite combinations. Events like the Apres Ski Tasting: Life Beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot are included in the festival pass, while the Four Points of the Russian River Valley Pinot Compass are available for both connoisseurs and the curious.
That’s not to say it’s all easy street: festival goers must endure the difficulty of choosing which events to attend. A seasoned country clubber, for example, may want to sample the cigars and scotch event at 6:30 on April 3. At the same time, however, the Chef Showcase Dinner and Live Auction is scheduled for the Ritz Carlton at Bachelor Gulch. Nationally-known chefs team together with four local chefs to create a paired-and-matched, five-course meal which, year upon year, produces absolute exultation.
Just as the chef’s dinner (or cigars and scotch, if you prefer) becomes a memory, the event gets into high gear at the Mountain Top Picnic Friday, April 4, which brings a lively crowd together atop Vail Mountain for a display of wine and food which has very few rivals.
As the Tampa Tribune reported on the event: “At 10,000 feet atop the Rocky Mountains, the picnic is a dizzying, dazzling affair. Hundreds of happy skiers line up at the various booths as chefs in white torques dish up samples of grilled salmon, shrimp etoufee, buffalo chili and double chocolate torte as everyone mingles in the midday sun.”
As a grand finale, the impressive displays of the Grand Tasting and Dinner Dance bring all festival-goers together for one last toast to their favorite wines, dishes, and desserts. It’s this event which led The Wine News to write, “The packed house sampled, sipped, and danced the night away, rocking the Rockies until midnight.
As with the Mountain Top Picnic, passholders meander through row upon row of food samples from the Valley’s finest restaurants, while sipping on wine selections which can shame all but the most opulent of cellars. When the dance floor comes out, it’s no-holds-barred, and the weekend always ends on an up note.
This story first appeared in Vail Beaver Creek Magazine
COMPLETE EVENT SCHEUDLE:
WEDNESDAY April 2, 2008
Event Registration
12:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
4th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-Off
3:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.
Vail Village
THURSDAY April 3, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Joseph Manzari
Included In Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa
Glass Seminar with Guy Lenoir from Schott Zwiesel
11:30 AM - 1:00 P.M.
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa
Four Points of the Russian River Valley Pinot Compass
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Marriottt Mountain Resort and Spa
Apres Ski Tasting: Life Beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot
Included In Festival Pass
3:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Vail Plaza Hotel And Club
Chef Showcase Dinner and Live Auction
6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
The Ritz -Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
Cigars and Glenmorangie
6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Tap Room
FRIDAY April 4, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Curtis Lincoln
Included In Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
Mountain Top Picnic access via the Eagle Bahn Express Gondola
Included In Festival Pass
12:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Eagle's Nest
Belvedere and WIne Spectator present the Bar Chefs' Mix Off
4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Sonnenalp Resort and Spa
Cooking Seminar with Chef Tony Aiazzi
4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
Chef Showcase Dinner presented by Portmeirion
6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
Game Creek Restaurant
SATURDAY April 5, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Diane Hendriks
Included In Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
A German Reisling Seminar featuring Ernst Loosen of Dr Loosen Winery
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
Stella Artois Seminar
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Best Life Lodge in Arrabelle Square
Retrospective of 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa
Grand Tasting and Dinner Dance
Included In Festival Pass
7:00 P.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa
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