Saratoga Performing Arts Center‘s annual Saratoga Wine & Food Festival is taking place during harvest season for the first time ever. Along with the new autumn theme comes an innovative array of new events and attractions focusing on farm-to-table food and sustainability, including free educational talks preceding the weekend, a gourmet harvest dinner with acclaimed regional and UK chefs, art displays, and live music.
Plan your trip to the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival now for a reimagined experience, all to support SPAC’s educational programming!
New This Year: The Cultivate Series
SPAC, Skidmore College, and Pitney Meadows Community Farm have partnered for a new addition to the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival: The Cultivate Series. The series is free and will cover such topics as food justice and sustainable cooking. Attendees must reserve their seats ahead of time through SPAC.
The Science of Life: An Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking with Austin Peltier
On Tuesday October 1 at 7 pm, chef Austin Peltier will host a tasting and presentation about Ayurveda, an ancient cooking method from India at Skidmore’s Fallstaff Pavilion.
Building a Just Food System with Leah Penniman
On Wednesday, October 2 at 3 pm, Penniman, co-founder of Soul Fire Farm and a food justice activist, will host an informative afternoon of stories, activities, and games at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.
Leah Penniman Presents Farming While Black: African Diasporic Wisdom for Farming and Food Justice
On October 2 at 7 pm, join the co-founder of Soul Fire Farm once again, this time for a discussion of her book, Farming While Black at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.
Fasting and Feasting with Adam Federman
On Thursday, October 3 at 7 pm, Federman will speak about his book, Fasting and Feasting, a biography about forerunner of the farm-to-table movement Patience Gray. He will answer questions and sign books after the discussion at Pitney Meadows Community Farm.
The Saratoga Wine and Food Festival
From 7 pm to 10 pm on Friday, October 4, enjoy a delicious locally-sourced dinner from acclaimed chefs Michael Blake, Kevin London, Dan Spitz, Diego Moya, and Austin Peltier. The theme of the gourmet dinner is “Forest Magic,” so get ready to enjoy a simply enchanting feast in Saratoga Spa State Park. Tickets are $175.
If you splurge for VIP tickets ($225), you’ll be able to enjoy high-end wines at 6 pm before the Harvest Dinner, along with amazing canapés by UK chefs Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen.
Despite all of the great new events, it wouldn’t be the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival without the Grand Tasting. On Saturday, October 5, sample fantastic local gourmet food, wine, beer, and liquor all afternoon long. The VIP Grand Tasting ($175) begins at 11 am, while the general Grand Tasting ($100) kicks off at noon.
In addition to the tasting, the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival continues its innovative 2019 event with more new artistic attractions, including a sculpture garden of John Van Alstine’s work, curated by The Hyde Collection, live music courtesy of Caffè Lena, and Terri-Lynn Pellegri’s photographic art made from compostables.
Excited to see what this newly reimagined Saratoga Wine & Food Festival has in store? Don’t wait to purchase your tickets, or to reserve your spots for the Cultivate Series!
