Photo courtesy of Highlands Food and Wine
The annual Highlands Food and Wine Festival will be held Thursday, November 10, through Sunday, November 13. The weekend will feature a Friday food truck event, an oyster roast and an exclusive 30-plate seated dinner hosted by the Rockwood Lodge.
“After nine successful years as Highlands Culinary Weekend, we thought that year ten was a perfect time to unroll the reimagined Highlands Food and Wine Festival. The festival will feature the popular events from years past, but 2016 will introduce new signature programming,” says Casey Reid, co-owner of Eleven Events and Festival Director. “The appreciation of food and wine is a lifestyle, and what better place to celebrate that than in Highlands, North Carolina?”
This year’s lineup welcomes winemakers Merry Edwards and Caymus Vineyards to the mix, and local culinary talents Adam Hayes, Chris Huerta and Wolfgang Green will present dishes throughout the weekend. Saturday holds a fan favorite—the annual Sip and Stroll through the iconic Main Street.
On Saturday, Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform at The Main Event. This experience will feature the best farm fresh offerings from Greenbrier Farms and Sunburst Trout. Guests can enjoy an autumn oyster roast and small plates prepared by Johannes Klapdohr of the Library Kitchen and Bar and Justin Burdett of Local Provisions.
On Sunday, singer and keyboardist Bruce Hornsby is set to perform an intimate show during “Rockwood Rocks!” Guests will enjoy an exquisitely paired, multi-course menu curated by a stellar lineup of chefs and culinary talent including Adam Evans, Meherwan Irani, Josh Keeler, Phillipe Haddad and Chris Huerta. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Food Pantry of Highlands, which provides food and supplies to local families.
A Sunday gospel brunch rounds out the weekend with tunes from the Blind Boys of Alabama, a five-time Grammy award-winning gospel group. Brunch by local chef Michael Alton and Atlanta’s Zeb Stevenson will be served alongside inspired cocktails.
The Highlands Food and Wine Festival offers tickets to individual events as well as a weekend pass that can be ordered online. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Tickets and complete event information including performance times and pricing are available at highlandsfoodandwine.com.
