Top Chef Fan Favorite meets Iron Chef Challenger

2010 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival

 By guest blogger Al Abbot

It’s time for the inaugural Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival showcasing an exciting cook-off between Fabio Viviani – Top Chef Season 5 Fan Favorite and Craig Haslebacher – Challenger and victor over Iron Chef America’s Chef Bobby Flay. Tami Michaels, of KOMO News, and State Senator Derek Kilmer will attend as judges for the cook-off, accompanied by a third judge determined by an on-site auction just prior to the competition.  In addition, high bidders will have the opportunity to rub spoons as sous-chefs to Viviani and Haslebacher in the cook-off finale.

Festivities take place August 7, 2010 on the campus of the Harbor History Museum overlooking picturesque Gig Harbor Bay.  All the action begins at 12:00 pm.  $75 Admission tickets can be purchased in advance on the Festival’s website: www.harborwineandfoodfest.com or at the gate on the day of the event.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Gig Harbor’s Harbor History Museum and The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.

How to smoke a salmon, Using the proper knife, Marinating Elk, are just some of the demonstrations featuring the culinary talents of local and regional chefs. Chefs giving cooking demonstrations include Chef Fabio Viviani, Owner and Executive Chef at Osteria Italian Restaurant and Martini Bar in Los Angeles California; Chef Craig Haslebacher, Executive Chef at The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing; Chef Dustin Joseph, Head Chef at Chambers Bay Grill; Chef Tin Nguyen, Executive Chef at Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort; Chef Thad Lyman, Owner and Head Chef at Brix 25.

In the Grand Tasting Tent, guests will have the opportunity to taste the wines from Vino Aquino, Red Sky, Pont 21, Mercer Estates, Camaraderie Cellars, Obelisco, Vias and many more.  They can also delight in sampling many delicious foods specially prepared by exhibitors for the Festival.  Beechers Handmade Cheese, Bella Bella Cupcakes, Thundering Hooves Grass-fed Meats, Harry & David Chocolates are just a few.

Classes offered at the Festival include: Eating Healthy in a Doubleburger.com World presented by Health expert Joe Piscatella; Battle of the Cabernets –California vs. Washington; Wine and Cheese –the perfect pairings.

Book signing will be offered by Fabio Viviani, Joe Piscatella and Marilyn Tausend; author of four award-winning cookbooks, including Cocina De La Familia, Savoring Mexico, Mexican, and Mexico the Beautiful Cookbook.

So get your corkscrews ready and bring your appetite, The 2010 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival promises to be A Celebration of the Good Life.