Food Buzz: Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival hits the big time ...

Here?s a mouth-watering newsflash: The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival is going from a demure one-night event to a star-studded, five-night affair in December. The lineup of luminaries may have festival goers wondering if they?ve stumbled upon the ever-so-fabulous South Beach Wine & Food fest ? two months early.

It?ll be tough to wander Palm Beach in mid-December without bumping into a James Beard Award winner, finalist or nominee. The island will be crawling with culinary stars: chefs Daniel Boulud, Michelle Bernstein, Michael Schwartz (Michael?s Genuine, Miami), Dean James Max, Clay Conley, Allen Susser, James Petrakis (The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park), David Burke (David Burke Kitchens, New York), John DeLucie (The Lion, New York), Food Network star Scott Conant (Scarpetta, Miami Beach) and this year?s winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef South, Stephen Stryjewski (Cochon, New Orleans).

Veteran food writer John Mariani is the festival?s honorary chair.

"This event belongs to the community. It?s a way for us to express our love of food and to show the culinary world that we?re here," festival organizer David Sabin says.

The festival has partnered with the influential James Beard Foundation and Gilt City/Gilt Taste to expand the festival. Tickets, which are priced from $150 to $250, go on sale Oct. 1. Check this space or visit pbfwf.com for upcoming details.

Here?s the schedule so far:

• Dec. 9: Beach Bash at the Four Seasons Palm Beach with Chef Michael Schwartz, the 2010 James Beard Award winning chef of Michael?s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami.
• Dec. 10: An Evening with John Mariani at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The festival?s honorary chairman shares the marquee with James Beard Award winning chefs David Burke of New York and Michael Schwartz of Miami, acclaimed chef John DeLucie and chef/restaurateur Scott Conant ( star of the Food Network?s Chopped series).
• Dec. 11: Bubble Garden at Caf? Boulud, The Brazilian Court, hosted by Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud and his Palm Beach eatery?s new executive chef, Jim Leiken.
• Dec. 12: Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Buccan, Palm Beach, featuring Buccan?s own Clay Conley and a stellar crew: Dean James Max (3800 Ocean, Singer Island), James Petrakis and Stephen Stryjewski .
• Dec. 13: 5th Annual Grand Tasting at 150 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach. This night features the Grand Chef Throwdown, emceed by food TV personality Ingrid Hoffman (of the Simply Delicioso series). The throwdown happens a la Chopped ? in fact, Chopped celebrity judge Scott Conant will be in attendance along with South Florida celeb chefs Michelle Bernstein and Allen Susser.

The Grand Tasting includes nibbles from top local restaurants, including Dean Max?s 3800 Ocean, Angle at the Ritz Carlton, Bice, Caf? Boulud, the soon-to-be-open Cha Cha, Kubo, Pistache, Michelle Bernstein at the Omphoy and the Four Seasons? Ocean Bistro.

- Liz Balmaseda

SUDS SCENE: FOUR BEER DINNERS IN 10 DAYS

The Beer Guy has been lucky enough to attend a number of beer and food pairing dinners in the past couple of months along with other special craft beer-related events. Here?s a heads-up on a few coming attractions with hopes I?ll see you there.

Beer events on tap:

• JoJo?s Raw Bar Oskar Blues Beer Dinner, Sept. 10, 8 p.m.

Five distinctive Oskar Blues beers paired with five equally creative courses for $50 plus tax and gratuity. The lineup includes G?KNight, an Imperial Red Ale, with a fresh seared diver scallop topped with a fresh cherry and raisin glaze.

JoJo?s is at 13889 Wellington Trace A-20, Wellington. Phone: (561) 427-1997.

• Howley?s Stone Brewing Co. Beer Dinner, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

This dinner will feature a reception hour plus five courses, each paired with a unique beer from Stone Brewing Co., including Stone IPA, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout, and Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA. Cost is $50 plus tax and tip.

Howley?s is at 4700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Phone: (561) 833-5691.

• Tabica Grill Belgium Tour Beer Dinner, Sept. 16, 8 p.m.

Featuring a "Beer Tower," from which Leffe Blonde, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Palm Amber Ale will be poured. The menu offers four courses including Thai peanut roasted chicken wings, coriander-crusted scallops, traditional barbecued salmon and Belgian chocolate fondue. Cost is $40 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Tabica Grill is at 901 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter. Phone: (561) 747-0108.

• World of Beers Rogue Brews and BBQ Loyalty Appreciation Party, Sept. 20, 5 to 8 p.m.

Featured Rogue Brews include Chatoe Single Malt, John John Hazelnut, Double Chocolate Stout, XS IPA, Maierfest, Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, Brutal IPA and Cap?n Sig?s. WOB also will have the year-rounders like Deadguy, Juniper, Hazelnut, Shakespeare Stout and Chocolate stout. (Regular beer prices apply.)

The catered menu will feature two different styles of wings, ribs, beer bratwurst, baked beans and potato salad. Dessert will be a peach and berry cobbler. (There?s no food charges for WOB Loyalty Card Holders.)

World of Beer is at 101 N. Clematis St., Suite 100, West Palm. Phone: (561) 833-3375.

- Dan Oliver (The Beer Guy)

Source: http://www.pbpulse.com/dining/2011/09/07/palm-beach-food-38-wine-festival-hits-the-big-time/

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