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Week of September 6 – September 12, 2013
Saratoga Wine & Food Festival Features Nationally Acclaimed Chefs, Wine Connoisseur
Friday, September 6 Sunday, September 8
SARATOGA SPRINGS Several stars in the realm of food and wine will be present at the upcoming Saratoga Wine & Food Festival, which is filled with events sure to please all food and wine lovers. Mo Rocca, a correspondent for the Emmy-winning ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ and star of the Cooking Channel series “My Grandmother’s Ravioli,” which he created and launched in 2012, will be featured in events throughout the weekend, including the Live Auction with Master Wine Connoisseur Kevin Zraly and a special “Learning to Cook with Mamma Theresa” demonstration. “Mo Rocca’s offbeat commentary and satire have established him as one of the wittiest and most insightful personalities in news and entertainment today,” said Marcia J.
White, SPAC’s president and executive director. “From his beginnings on ‘The Daily Show’ to his current role as a commentator for ‘CBS Sunday Morning,’ his wry observations on subjects ranging from politics to pop-culture have given him a unique celebrity.” Commenting on his participation in the festival, Mo Rocca said, “If I were invited to the Saratoga Food Festival, I’m not sure I would go. But the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival? Hell yeah, I’m there!” Adding culinary expertise to the festival will be celebrity chef Zak Pelaccio, chef and co-founder of Fish & Game, the Hudson Valley’s newest upscale dining destination. Pelaccio will lead Culinary Tent events at Saturday’s Grand Tasting including a Heritage Pig Butchering demonstration sponsored by the Flying Pigs Farm in Shushan, followed by a Chef ’s Demonstration. Famed wine connoisseur, educator and best-selling author Kevin Zraly will play a prominent role in
Saturday’s Grand Tasting events leading two wine tasting seminars including a World Exploration Master Wine Seminar and a new Connoisseur Tent experience highlighted by exclusive tastings of upscale wines, food and spirits. New features of this year’s festival include the following Saturday, September 7 events: CULINARY TENT COOKING CULINARY TENT SHOWS
COOKING SHOWS
Learning to Cook with Mo Rocca & Mamma Theresa from DZ Restaurants: Inspired by Mo Rocca’s hit Cooking Channel show, “My Grandmother’s Ravioli,” this session pairs the celebrity host with DZ Restaurant’s beloved Mamma Theresa, as she shows him how to make select family recipes and traditional Italian specialties. Heritage Pig Butcher Demo Led by Chef Zak Pelaccio: The top wine and food festivals in the world have been featuring pig butchering
demos as part of a commitment to sustainable, ethical farming and locally sourced food. Chef Zak Pelaccio of Hudson’s acclaimed Fish & Game restaurant will offer a rare heritage pig demo generously underwritten by Flying Pigs Farm and then follow-up with a chef ’s demo utilizing the meat in a variety of savory dishes. Zak Pelaccio Chef ’s Demo: Chef Zak Pelaccio prepares creative dishes using heritage pork and locally sourced produce from the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. Big Green Egg Grill Games sponsored by the Times Union: TU food writer Steve Barnes judges the final round of competition among Capital Region amateur chefs who will each be given a basket of ingredients and asked to create a unique recipe using Big Green Egg Grills. THE CONNOISSEUR TENT –This separate tasting experience will feature artisan food, wine and spirits including tastings of
rare wines from Kevin Zraly’s private wine cellar. This event will be offered in a luxurious, lounge-style space and feature music from a jazz trio. THE AFTER PARTY BURGER BASH presented by Certified Angus Beef and Stella Artois, will feature a competition style burger bash featuring chefs from regional hotspots and also features a milk shake bar, French fries bar, live music and dancing, outdoor fire pits and lounge environments. Returning to the festival are favorite epicurean events including: ADIRONDACK ROAD TOUR & GOURMET LUNCHEON | Friday, September 6 Gourmet lunch includes library-quality wines, imported fine foods and tours on wooden and Italian Comitti speed boats. LIVE ON STAGE GALA | Friday, September 6 A European inspired menu