We’ve got our “TOP 10”  ticket picks for the MidAtlantic Food + Wine Festival.  There are 44 events over the course of 4 days, March 6-10, 2013 and many of the events have already sold out!  There are still plenty of opportunities to be a part of this amazing series of events benefiting the ARTS Community in Delaware.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorties from a list of events that have NOT SOLD OUT… YET!   They will sell out. So get your tickets soon!

#10

South African Braii

Saturday, March 9th, 6:30-8:30

Festival Village

$40

The sounds, sights, and smells of South Africa will fill the Festival Village at this truly authentic braai (barbecue).  A braai is a traditional social gathering that brings people together over a plate of beautifully grilled meats (and a few sides) which will be overseen by Chef Hugo Uys, the famed restauranteur from Johannesburg and assisted by Chef Pierre Van Zyl, also a native of South Africa.

Join dignitaries from the South African consulate at this exciting and rare cultural event with music and entertainment by Grammy-Nominated Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, art, and an amazing variety of exceptional South African wines.

Bring the kids for just $10 each.

Braai Menu

Mixed Salad
Papaya, Tangerine, Candied Walnuts and Goat Cheese with
Rooibos-Infused Balsamic Vinaigrette
Carrot Salad
Orange Segments, Raisins and Sunflower Seeds with a Citrus Vinaigrette
Cold Potato Salad
Boiled Egg, Chive and Onion with a Curry Mayo
Braai Toasties
Onion,
Tomato and Cheddar Cheese Grilled Sandwiches
Chicken Sosaties (Kebabs)
Marinated Lamb Chops
Boerewors (Sausages)
Pap with Tomato and Onion Sauce
“Polenta” with a Traditional Onion and Tomato Sauce
Ystervarkies- Small cubes of Cake, Chocolate Sauce and Coconut & Candied Orange Peel

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#9

WINE + CHOCOLATE  TASTING

Saturday, March 9th, 3-4pm

Christina Cultural Arts Center

$50

Artisanal chocolates, fine wines. Both perfect on their own, but together they create entirely new flavor profiles. Join Chef Eric Aber of Home Grown Cafe as he presents this sinfully delicious pairing of wine with chocolates crafted specially for the Festival by Swiss Chocolatier Albert A. Lauber of Neuchatel Chocolates of Oxford, Pennsylvania.

Wine truffles Chocolate Shop’s Sparkling Chocolate

A delicious red wine with chocolate notes and festive bubbles

 Dark Chocolate Truffle Drops of Jupiter

Fruit-forward and insanely loveable, petite sirah-based red wine

 Salted Honey Caramel Campbells Rutherglen Tokay

Burnt/roasted notes of camphor, scorched earth, prunes, figs,caramel, and marmalade

 Dark Mocha Truffle Croft Distinction Porto

Ripe, jammy aromas of raisins and black plums leading to black fruit flavors

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 #8

The Master Chef Tasting Experience

Sunday, March 10th, 5:30-7:30

Festival Village

$75

Come out to the Village for the Festival’s grand finale in which seven contestants from all three seasons of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s “MasterChef” TV show on Fox — Christian Collins, Suzy Singh, Dave Miller, Tracy Kontos, Becky Reams, Derrick Prince and Wilmington’s own Jennifer Behm, Season 2 Winner – will show off their culinary skills and tell stories from the show. Each chef will prepare a tasting course for the crowd from thew Festival Village Stage, hosted by Wilmington’s own MasterChef winner Jennifer Behm and Fox 29’s own Claudia Gomez. The audience is strictly limited to 200 people, so get your tickets early. Photos and autograph opportunities will be available after the event. South African wines will be served. Every attendee will receive a souvenir Festival wine glass to use and then to take home.

MasterChef Tasting Event Menu

Appetizer Taste: Derrick Prince

Fried Masa Raviolo stuffed with Avocado Leaf Chicken

Salad Taste: Tracy Kontos

Roasted Beet Salad with Caraway Crumble, Cress & Goat Cheese Mousse

Fish Taste: Christian Collins

Pan Seared Salmon with Kimchi Buerre Blanc, Mango Salsa and Mizuna

Amuse Bouche: Dave Miller

Bay Scallop Crudo with Grapefruit Foam and Chili-Lime & Cilantro Popcorn

Meat Taste: Becky Reams

Pork Belly with Daikon, Miso and Eggplant

Dessert Taste: Suzy Singh

Gulab Jamon, Gajar Halwa with a Parsnip Root and Cardamom Gelee,

A Taste of India with a Root Vegetable Progression

Special Treat: Jennifer Behm

Lemon Crème de Pot

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#7

The Craft of Draft Beer

Thursday, March 7th, 5:30-7:30

OPERADELAWARE

$50

We celebrate the MidAtlantic’s role in the craft beer revolution at this event that brings together brewers and beer lovers. Many of the region’s most beloved craft brewers will gather to share their creations, sample some suds, and talk a little shop at this tasting event. Craft breweries on the list include: 16 Mile, Brewery, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Eastern Shore Brewing, Evolution Craft Brewing Company, Fordham and Old Dominion Brewing, Heavy Seas Beer, Sly Fox Beer, Troegs Brewing Company, Twin Lakes Brewing Co., Weyerbacher and Yards Brewing Company.

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#6

937-POINT WINE TASTING

Friday, March 8th, 5:30-7:30

DCCA

$100

Just because a wine isn’t “perfect” doesn’t mean it’s not darn good. This tasting event, the little brother of Saturday’s 1000-Point Wine Tasting, brings together 10 extraordinary wines that missed the magical 100-point mark, but will nevertheless surprise and delight. A variety of vintages and varietals will be served in the grand lobby of the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. Here’s a peak at some of the wines beiing served.

2008 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvingon
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From Wine Enthusiast: “Fruit stars in this young, rich Cabernet … offering waves of blackberries, cherries, plums, sweet oak and spices that go on and on.”

2008 Flora Springs Trilogy
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This vintage exhibits all of the classic Trilogy attributes: A cherry and cassis bouquet with layers of fruit flavor on the palate.

2008 Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This wine showcases the best of their two Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards that define their Napa Valley blend, with dense fruit and oak flavors.

2011 MacRostie Sonoma Chardonnay
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From Wine Enthusiast: “This is clean and brisk in lemony acidity, and it offers concentrated, complex flavors of honeyed pineapples, lime, oranges and mangoes.”

2009 Coyam Red Blend Chile
90 Points, Wine Advocate
The nose expresses aromas of ripe red fruits, plums and berries, integrated with spicy and earthy notes and a touch of sweet vanilla.

Champagne Henriot Brut
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From Wine Enthusiast: “Flavors of green apples, with hints of fresh apricots. There is extreme freshness here, the style dry but rich.”

Poggio Verrano
93 Points, Wine Spectator
A wine produced by Francesco Bolla of Tenuta Poggio Verano, a winery located in the Estrucan Maremma on the Tuscan Coast. The grapes for this wine are sourced from a 67 acre low-yielding vineyard estate.

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet
A classic wine from one of the best known names of Napa.

St. Michelle Estates
A selection from Washington state’s oldest and most acclaimed winery

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#5

HE SAID BEER, SHE SAID WINE

Friday, March 8th, 6-9pm

The Grand Opera House

$125

Which drink is a better food partner – beer or wine? You’ll decide who wins this delectable and entertaining debate, as a legendary brewer and a world-class sommelier go head-to-head. Join Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and noted wine author Marnie Old, co-authors of the popular illustrated book “He Said Beer, She Said Wine,” as they present rival pairings for a multi-course dinner prepared by Chelsea Tavern (home to one of Delaware’s most impressive beer lists) and served on the main stage of the Grand Opera House. BONUS: Each attendee will receive a personally autographed copy of “He Said Beer, She Said Wine.”

He Said Beer She Said Wine Menu

~Crispy Vegetable Salad, orange carrot ginger poppy seed dressing
~Seared Turbot with Soba Noodles, Miso Dashi Broth, Scampi Emulsion
~Pork Tenderloin Tonnato, with tuna, black pepper, lime and capers

~Braised Short Ribs of Beef, Crispy Leeks, Brussels Sprout and Butternut Squash Hash Red Wine Sauce
~Chocolate Pot au Crème with Peanut Whipped Cream, Vol au Vent

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#4

IN THE MIX: Mixologists & DJ’s

Friday, March 8th, 9-11:30pm

Festival Village

$50

Some of the area’s most talented Mixologists create cocktail masterpieces using all-American spirits at this late-night party inside the Festival Village, where the drinks will shake things up and the music will stir the spirit. Featuring DJ Johnny G, Philadelphia’s underground dance secret, one of the few DJ’s still spinning vinyl and pushing an authentic approach to underground dance music.

Bartenders from Hummingbird & Mars, The House of William & Merry, Buckley’s Tavern, Kelly’s Logan House, Columbus Inn, Piccolina Toscana and more mix their signature cocktails for your sampling.

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#3

POP-UP: Restaurant 2020

Friday, March 8th, 6:30-9pm

Vicmead Hunt Club

$150

Some of the region’s most forward-thinking chefs, including Bill Hoffman, Eric Aber, Mike Kelly and others, come together to create Restaurant 2020, a perfectly clear vision of the future, seven years ahead of its time. A multi-course dinner paired with wines.

Executive Chef: Bill Hoffman

POP-UP MENU

First Course: Chef Bill Hoffman

• Pineapple and Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Pink Shrimp Ceviche and Smoked Paprika Cracker
• Paired with: Yellowglen Pink
• Aromas of strawberries with a splash of citrus bubble under the nose develop into refreshing fruit characters of berry and lime.

Second Course: Chef Eric Aber

• Duck Liver Mousse-Stuffed Caramelized Seckel Pear, Baby Arugula, Honey Mead Vinaigrette,
• Toasted Hazelnuts and White Truffle Oil
• Paired with: Chateau Saint Jean Fume Blanc

Aromas of peach, nectarine, apple blossom and notes of fig and spice, with flavors of Fuji sweet apple, citrus and a touch of honey.

Third Course: Chef Patrick D’Amico

• Monkfish Wrapped in Prosciutto, Cauliflower Coulis, Butter Poached Cauliflower,
• Grated Tricolor Cauliflower and Micro Cabbage Greens
• Paired with: Stags Leap Viognier
• Floral and stone fruit aromas, flavors of peach, nectarine and apricot, lifted by bracing, natural acidity and inviting minerality.

Fourth Course: Chef Robbie Jester

• Saffron Bourse (Purses), Robiola Cheese Filling, Grilled Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc and Vermouth, Roasted Cipollini Onion Emulsion
• Paired with: Gabbiano Chianti Classico
• Hints of dark cherry on the nose, the palate is fresh with flavors of plum, violets and juicy cherries.

 Fifth Course: Chef Andy Feeley

• Beef Deckle Steak Portobello “Carpaccio,” Marble Potato, Ricotta-Spinach Flan,
• Spinach Crackling and Horseradish Vin Rouge
• Paired with: Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aromas of blueberry, dark plum, baking spices, sweet licorice, brioche, and a hint of graphite, flavors of boysenberry and blue fruit.

 Sixth Course: Chef Mike Kelly

Casatica (Italian Buffalo Milk), Sundried Tomato, Fig, Olive and Walnut Syrup

 Seventh Course: Chef Bill Hoffman

• Chocolate Decadence, Fried Mascarpone, Citrus Variations, and Caramel Crisp
• Paired with: Beringer Knights Valley Port of Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sweet strawberry and cherry pie, with brown spices and toffee.

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#2

Gospel Brunch

Sunday,  March, 9th from 11am-2pm

World Cafe Live @ The Queen

$125

More than a dozen regional restaurants take brunch to a new level where breakfast sandwiches might be made with quail eggs, and light risotto might be topped with a shaved truffle. You’ll sample 80 wines from around the world, and your spirits will be lifted by the rousing sounds of the 60-member Combined Choir of the Calvary Baptist Church, returning to the Festival by popular demand.

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#1

 FESTIVAL VILLAGE WEEKEND PASS

All WEEKEND LONG

$100

The Festival Village is the heart of the MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival and will be buzzing with excitement and activities all weekend long! Centrally located in Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, the Festival Village will be housed within a beautiful 10,000 square foot, heated tent. The Villageis home to the Village Stage where there will be exciting demonstrations and panel discussions from chefs, winemakers, brewers, and local experts. The Stage will also offer entertainment and performances, all while surrounded by over 30 high quality vendors showcasing tastings, demos, retail items and the latest wines, beers and spirits on the market! There is even a food truck or two on-site!

So come out and meet the cast of “Love, Loss and What I Wore”, on stage at the Delaware Theatre Company from March 6 through 17th, or a special performance by the Christina Cultural Arts Center’s “Fruits of the Spirit” ensemble and “Tilting Windmills”. Be there to experience the divine scents of The Great Coffee Roast with coffee grower, Rich Lipner and master roaster, Hobo Ed. Bring the kids out to be wow’d by 12 year old baker, Sweet William & 12 year old fiddle protege, Andrew Vogt. Discover the sights, sounds and tastes of South Africa all weekend long, with our partners from across the Atlantic who will be providing tastes of exclusive wines, food items and so much more. As part of your entry fee, every attendee will receive a souvenir Festival wine glass to enjoy all the samplings and then to take home.

That’s just a taste of the Festival Village experience…

Before you leave, stop into the MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival Bottle Shop, where you can purchase many of the exclusive wines brought in just for this event along with other items available throughout the festival. There will be many guest winemakers on-site to sign your own bottle! The Bottle Shop is accessible to the general public without purchasing a ticket. Children under 12 free.

The event information above was taken directly from the Midatlantic Wine + Food Festival web-site and is subject to change.  Click here to verify information or to purchase tickets.