The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ – The Summit Wine and Food Festival is fast approaching, and plans are being made for yet another unforgettable three days celebrating the best the area has to offer.

The 2012 festival , which will be Sept. 21-23 at the Grand Summit Hotel, will feature Food Network and Bravo celebrity chefs, sommeliers, top winemakers and wine.

Chef's demonstrations, wine expert seminars, wine tastings, food and wine dinners, mixology cocktail, spirits and beer presentations are all on the menu, according to Ivan Ruiz, founder and executive director of the festival.

Among the celebrity chefs who will be participating are Daisy Martinez, star of Food Network’s “Daisy Cooks!” and Wade Burch of New Providence, winner of an episode of “Chopped.”

The weekend schedule includes:

Friday, Sept. 21: The International Gala Tasting from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Many of the nation's greatest chefs will prepare their signature dishes accompanied with some of the very best wines on the market today. Guests will mingle, sample small plates and taste terrific wines at what promises to be a spectacular epicurean extravaganza. This is one culinary event that is not to be missed.

In just a few short years, this tasting has become one of New Jersey’s biggest and best-attended culinary events and always sells-out early, so procure tickets quickly before they disappear.

Saturday, Sept. 22: Saturday will feature three events from 11-noon.

From 11-noon in the Atrium Room will be a Wine Seminar on “California’s Undiscovered Cult Wines.” This seminar will highlight the wineries of the Robledo Family Vineyards and Alex Sotelo Cellars.

Also from 11-noon in the Coach Room will be the Cognac Seminar. Hosted by the Hardy House, the seminar as we will explore the fascinating aspects of producing Cognac and the nuances of flavor that proper ageing imparts.

And from 11-noon in the Morris room will be “Portugal: The Last Frontier of European Wines.”

From 12:30-2:30 p.m. will be the "Sommelier Showdown" Luncheon in the Grand Ballroom.

From 3:30-4:30 p.m. is the “Hidden Treasures of The South: Latin America’s Greatest Wines” seminar in the Atrium Room, hosted by Jorge Liloy.

Also from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is the “Vodka and the Spirit of Mixology” seminar in the Coach Room, and at the same time, the Wine Seminar in the Morris Room.

From 7-10 p.m. is the “Latin Night Gala Wine and Food Tasting” in the Grand Ballroom.

And at 7 p.m. on Saturday is the V.I.P. Gala Dinner in the Morris Room. The evening will consist of a six-course dinner featuring dishes from notable restaurants and chefs paired with the finest wines from around the world.

Sunday, Sept. 23: From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Historic Twin Maples, 214 Springfield Avenue, Diane Henderiks, the “Dietitian in the Kitchen™” and Richard Sandoval from Pampano Restaurant will show you creative ways to prepare sumptuous meals that combine both Anglo and Latino influences to prepare creatively delicious dishes inspired from their new cookbook.

From 11-noon at The Wine List of Summit, 417 Springfield Avenue, is “Say ‘Cheese!” The many varieties, textures, and flavors of cheese make for an entertaining and delicious seminar on one of the most fascinating aspects of the culinary world. Jonathan White will host a cheese tasting with beverage expert Neil Rodriguez suggesting non-alcoholic pairings.

From noon-2 p.m. is the “Discover the Flavors of India” luncheon at Bombay Bistro, 427 Springfield Avenue.

From 3-4 p.m. is the “Alcohol Free Mixology” seminar at The Wine List of Summit.

From 4-5 p.m., the festival concludes with Daisy Martinez’s presentation, “The Flavors of the Americas,” held at Historic Twin Maples.

For more information on any event, including ticket prices, visit www.summitwineandfood.com.