Foodies and wine lovers will delight in 14th Annual Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair coming April 6- 9

Epicureans to celebrate the region’s diverse food and drink culture

On April 6, Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will officially kick off celebrating the region’s diverse food and drink culture while telling the untold story of its epicurean traditions. The four-day festival is gearing up for its biggest year to date with award winning chefs, sommeliers and mixologists via dinners, events, learning experiences, the Grand Tasting and a two-day Sip & Stroll.

Located in Fort Bend County, which is the most ethnically diverse county in America, the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will focus on the untold stories of the region’s melting pot of African, Asian, Latino, European and Southwestern flavors that are drawing attention from food and drink lovers from around the country.

Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will include:Dinners & Events – from unique seated dinner experiences to a meatlovers lunch, these new dinners and events will educate, entertain and delight attendees:

• The Boiling Point – Thurs., April 6; 7:30 pm; $150; At Duhacsek Park in Sugar Land

Double, Double Boil and Bubble … seafood lovers delight! The seafood boil is a longstanding southern tradition that showcases the freshest local shellfish and ingredients while bringing together community. Most notable are the Cajun crawfish boils from Louisiana and the shrimp boils of the Low Country, but boil fever has taken over most coastal towns throughout the South. Join Chefs David Bancroft (AL), Bryan Caswell (TX), and Edward Lee (KY), as they put their own spin on the boil, including Bryan’s hit Texan BBQ blue crabs. No boil is complete without refreshing libations specially selected to tame the spice … so guests can “Keep Calm & Boil On!” But there’s more ya’ll! The evening will boil down with Texas’ own “Sugar Fairy,” Rebecca Masson, and her magical confectionaries. Adding to the sweetness, a portion of proceeds from this dinner will benefit the Southern Salt Foundation.

• The Italian Invasion: Italy & the Rest of the World, Thurs., April 6; 7:30 pm; $200; SOLD OUT

Prepare for your palate to be blitzed by bold and vigorous Italian wine served alongside equally exhilarating wines from the rest of the world in this ultimate oenophile’s match up. Guests will play judge as these wines (identities concealed) battle course by course on a culinary tour showcasing Italian regional specialties prepared by Chef Andrew Curren (TX). In true “dolce vita” fashion, we’ll dine alfresco in the Piazza (aka: Sugar Land Town Square). Hosted by Master Sommeliers, Craig Collins and Drew Hendricks, you are sure to leave feeling that “La Vita e Bella!”

• Cured & Fermented Lunch at Bacon Bros. Public House: Fri., April 7; 12 pm-2 pm; $100

Explore the art and science of curing and fermentation which began long before refrigeration to preserve food.. To this day, hunters, gatherers, chefs and cooks around the globe use salt, brine, smoke and mold in everything from salumi and charcuterie to kimchi, kraut, yogurt, cheese and pickles. Chefs Kevin Ouzts (GA) and Joseph Zerwas (TX) will educate and enchant you at a family-style lunch showcasing this age-old art! Author and Sommelier, Jason Tesauro (VA), will host and select the perfect beverage pairings.

Learning Experiences – Fri., April 7 | 3 pm-4:15 pm, Sat., April 8 | 10 am – 11 am & 11:30 am – 12:30 pm; $50; At Sugar Land Marriott   • Experience entertaining and delectable tastings of cocktails, wines as well as food and beverage pairings, all led by award-winning chefs, mixologists, distillers and sommeliers.

The Grand Tasting – Fri., April 7 | 7:30 pm – 10 pm; $125; At Sugar Land Marriott

• Delight in mouthwatering creations from top culinary superstars from both near and far, perfectly paired with the most delightful libations. Beverage-focused, the offerings will showcase Roses, Killer B’s (Boudreaux, Burgundy, Brunello, etc.), Bubbles and Crafts (spirits and beers). Held in the elegant ballroom of the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square, this exquisite tasting is a night not to be missed. Meanwhile, The Grand Auction, benefiting the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management, will offer guests the chance to bid on exclusive items as they indulge.

Sip & Stroll – Sat., April 8 | 3 pm–6 pm & Sun., April 9 | 11 am – 2 pm; $65; At Constellation Field in Sugar Land

• Eat, drink, savor and stroll at this all-you-can-indulge experience, the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair’s popular Sip & Stroll is back again with an expanded schedule and a deliciously curated experience. Eat, drink and enjoy fantastic bites from the area’s best restaurants, carefully crafted cocktails and a great selection of wines. Ale aficionados won’t want to miss the exciting beer garden. Cheers to that! Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair was founded and produced in 2003 by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and benefits the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Three day packages and one day packages available. Sip & Stroll Shuttle is also available at Sugar Land Town Square for $5 per day. For tickets, the full lineup and more information, please visit www.SugarLandWineandFoodAffair.com. 

photos by Shannon O’Hara