Seattle Wine and Food Experience

New owners and a third day of flavor!

Jamie Peha, president of Peha Promotions, has run Seattle Wine and Food Experience since 2010, creating a must-go-to event each year. In September of 2016, Seattle magazine acquired the event, and will continue to collaborate with Jamie on creative direction and promotion.

Seattle plans to add a third event, COMFORT! on Saturday night which will focus on comfort food, along with beer and cider. COMFORT! joins POP! Bubbles and Seafood, which takes place on Friday night and highlights Pacific Northwest Seafood and sparkling wines. Sunday boasts the 9^th annual Grand Tasting, everyone's favorite graze, sip, and learn event.

"Seattle magazine is celebrating 50 years, and a big part of the magazine focuses on this region's dynamic food and beverage scene," says editor Rachel Hart. "This event gives us a great platform to tell that story to our audience in person."

"The Seattle Wine and Food Experience curates an incredible list of makers and producers and supports the community," adds Jamie. "More than 600 wines are available for tasting throughout the weekend along with a huge selection of breweries, ciders and distilleries. And with three event offerings at a variety of price options guests can attend just one event or splurge and enjoy the whole weekend."

POP! takes place at McCaw Hall on Friday, February 24, 2017, and is presented by Tulalip Resort Casino. Twenty of Seattle's best chefs will prepare seafood bites from salmon and clams to oysters and shrimp. More than 30 sparkling wines from around the world will be available to taste and pair. Taylor Shellfish and Hama Hama Oysters will have oyster bars, there will be specialty cocktails and beer, reserve red wine, and the Callebaut Belgium Chocolate Lounge. Listen to DJ Dubreezy Tunes all night.

COMFORT! continues the fun the next day, Saturday, February 25, at the Fremont Foundry with "feel-good food + crafty beers," also presented by Tulalip Resort Casino. Comfort foods will include mac and cheese, fried chicken and more from local gastropubs, taverns, and burger joints. The Washington State Potato Commission will have a fry bar, there will be a Bloody Mary station, milk and cookies bar, hot toddy bar, and more tunes, this time from DJ Braden Landon. Beer and cider round out your beverage options.

The Grand Tasting on Sunday, February 26, returns to the Seattle Exhibition Hall, and is the deluxe showcase for beverage, food, and lifestyle in the Northwest. Twenty-five chefs will be on hand to wow you with flavor; 100 wineries, dozens of beer, cider and spirits purveyors will have you sipping and pairing to your heart's content; and there will be numerous experiences including Yakima Valley Tourism Craft Beverage Boom with more than 25 vendors, Celebrity Cruises Modern Luxury Lounge showcasing specialty cocktails and a chance to win a cruise, Heritage Meats Butchery Block butchery demos (fascinating), San Luis Obispo County Tourism with wines from California's Central Coast, Woodinville Wine Country, Nicky USA Chefs Corner featuring exotic meats, Washington Potato Commission potato hash action station, and so much more.

Consider going VIP for the Grand Tasting. You'll get in an hour earlier than others, be handed a swag bag, and have use of the VIP Lounge with more food and beverage, plus the only spot for oysters on Sunday.

Coming from out of town or just want to stay locally after all your fun? The Maxwell Hotel on Queen Anne is offering a special rate of $139/night if you mention Seattle Wine and Food Experience.

If all this doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy enough, consider that the event benefits Les Dames d'Escoffier Seattle, a non-profit that raises funds for scholarships for women in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality industries. They also support community outreach programs and sustainable agriculture projects based in Washington state.

Whether you're a local who loves food and beverage or a visitor wanting to learn more about the Northwest's culinary/beverage bounty, Seattle Wine and Food Experience is the place to be in February!

December 2016

POP! Bubbles and Seafood
McCaw Hall
321 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Friday, February 24, 2017
6 - 9 p.m.
$85 per person

COMFORT!
The Fremont Foundry
154 N 35th St
Seattle, WA 98103
Saturday, February 25, 2017
5 - 8 p.m.
$55 per person

Grand Tasting
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
300 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Sunday, February 26, 2017
VIP: 12 - 5 p.m., $90 per person
General Admission: 1 - 5 p.m., $70 per person

SWFE Weekend Pass package, $220 per person
Tickets at on.spingo.com/e/seattle_wine_and_food_experience

This is a 21 and older event
All admitted must have a valid I.D.
No children or babes-in-arms will be admitted

Photos courtesy of Seattle Wiine and Food Experience