Email This Page
La Dolce Vita in Newport! Celebrity Chef Lidia Bastianich Headlines Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival
The Grand Tastings, the sophisticated opening party with heavenly wine and food pairings, the Jazz Brunch with Lidia Bastanich, and demonstrations by great chefs made the 6th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival easily the most sophisticated wine and food festival on the East Coast. Eagerly anticipated by gourmands, gourmets and oenophiles, the Festival did not disappoint, attracting record crowds.
With an array of celebrity chefs that included Eric Haugen, Dan Enos, and Karsten Hart, exclusive wines from around the world and fabulous food from the region’s best restaurants, the Festival was sponsored by Food & Wine Magazine, and Ray Isles was once again there as the Festival took place in the historic Newport mansions Rosecliff and Marble House in our inimitable seaside resort.
|
The Mac Chrupcala Band
|
The weekend’s festivities began on a late September Friday, with the Wine & Rosecliff Gala, where guests partook of special vintages uncorked exclusively for the evening, and delicious food pairings. There was dancing to the Mac Chrupcala band between samplings.
The Festival’s special guest was chef, television personality and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich, hosting a unique Sunday morning Jazz Brunch at the Hotel Viking. She also appeared for book signings at the Sunday Grand Tasting at Marble House, where the line stretched almost the length of the mammoth tent. In addition there were appearances and seminars led by industry experts such as Ray Isle, winemaker Justin Baldwin of Justin Winery, noted wine connoisseur Alain Junguenet of Wines of France, Inc., and Roseanne Tully of Intermezzo, among others.
The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival's all-inclusive Grand Tastings at Marble House featured more than 100 wineries on Saturday and Sunday. The food tastings were simply incredible. Foie gras, anyone?
The Celebrity Chef demonstrations were hosted by TV and radio personality Billy Costa. and he alternately cooed and cajoled the chefs and the audience. Newport Seen attended the demos of Kyle Ketchum, and Newport's own Neil Manacle showing their expertise. Divine!
Newport residents were out in force, as Newport Seen caught up at the Grand Tastings with James Leach, Harle Tinney, Geremie Callaghan, Sarah Rivard, Tom Eberhardt, Laurie Moore, Karen Megley, Susan Noel, and Tom and Karen Roskelly.
|
Michael Semenza with a wine afficionada
|
All proceeds from the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.
--L.P.
The Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival is also sponsored by National Trust Insurance Services LLC, Infiniti, Dave’s Marketplace, Intermezzo, Clarke Luxury Showrooms, Alaska Seafood, Stella Artois, Alex and Ani, Dasani, Yankee Publishing, Inc., Hyatt Regency Newport, and Hotel Viking Newport.
 |
 |
|
Bergstrom Wines pouring samples
|
|
Goodies from Zyr Vodka
|
|
Oh La La dress
|
|
Erin Buhrmaster with Infiniti in a lovely dress
|
|
Buffet station by Russell Morin Catering
|
|
The buffet was attractive
|
|
Lisa Bidwell and her husband Miles
|
 |
|
Ray Isles & Geremie Callaghan
|
 |
|
Trudy Coxe welcoming guests
|
|
Harle Tinney & Trudy Coxe at the opening party
|
|
Amanda Johnson & Samantha Winter at the Grand Tasting
|
|
The sponsoring magazine
|
|
An interview with trade commissioner Aniello Musella
by food and restaurant critic Bruce Newbury
|
|
Appreciative crowds were enormous!
|
|
Fabulous delicacies
|
|
What to choose from such an array?
|
|
Chef Eric Haugen from Ocean House doing a demonstration
|
|
Billy Costa's commentaries were priceless
|
|
Chef Haugen & Mr. Costa at work
|
|
Chop & sauté?
|
|
Diane Beaver & Elizabeth Stubbs
|
|
Kyle Ketchum from the Hyatt Regency's reconsidered gazpacho
|
 |
|
Cheers!
|
|
Gentleman & Trudy Coxe
|
 |
|
Dave's Catering in the Chinese Tea House
|
|
Marble House's grounds on a foggy afternoon
|
|
Mark Oldman autographs his book, "The Brave New World of Wine"
|
|
Sarah Rivard at the Chamber of Commerce table
|
|
Lovely crockery and table
|
 |
 |
|
Lidia!
|
|
Lidia Bastanich signed for hundreds of fans
|
|
More gustatory authors
|
|
For a dream kitchen that's Divine...
|
|
The Infiniti Lounge
|
|
Alexandra of Newport's Alex & Ani Boutique
|
|
Dan Enos, of the Ocean Air Seafood Room
|
|
Billy Costa listens intently
|
|
Dr. Leslie Roth & Jim Leach
|
|
Just a taste
|
|
The Stella Artois beer garden at Marble House
|
|
Serving in the Chinese Tea House
|
Yelp.com was explaining its web services |
|
The line for Lidia!
|
|
Karl Uri serving up wonderful salmon
|
|
Bastianich wines
|
|
A culinary silent auction table
|
|
Other than wines......
|
| |
|
Billy Costa, Geremie Callaghan & Neil Manacle, of Fluke
|
|
Karsten Hart Castle Hill Try it!
|
|
Wine consultant Peter Aiello in his shirt of many colors
|
|
Bill Costa introduces Neil Manacle
|
|
Praising the product!
|
 |
|
Tony Faria of the Chamber of Commerce with Karen & Tom Roskelly
|
 |
|
Chef Paul Yellin, " The Rhum Chef " from Barbados, with Ivan Colon
|
|
Video screen by Audio Concepts
|
|
John Rodman interviews Italian wine
|
|
Ivan Colon with Vincenza Kelly of the Italian Trade Commission
|
|
Blackstone Catering goodies, made with Matunuck oysters
|
|
A wonderful Burberry dress
|
 |
|
Jonathan Pogash, the Cocktail Guru
|
|
Shake it like this.....
|
|
Matt serves up a treat
|
 |
|
Pasta!
|
|
For a tasty dessert, macaroons
|
|
"How delicious", say visitors
|
 |
| |
|
David Burke's Prime
|
 |
|
Kathryn Farrington sipping
|
|
Cheers with Aggie Cole
|
|
Del Grosso food having fun with Peter & lisa Andromalos
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |