The annual New Orleans good food and wine gala is scheduled to be held this year from the 20th to the 24th of May. This epicurean adventure is being organized by the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, a non profit organization which raises much needed funds for various local charities.
The proceeds from the highly successful 2007 event, benefited a whole of host of regional organizations including the New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, The University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism which over the years has produced several of the leading lights of Louisiana's hospitality industry, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute which works hard to preserve the unique culinary heritage of Louisiana and other organizations like the Delagado Community College, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the Broadmoor Improvement Association and Deuce McAllister's Catch 22 Foundation, and the New Orleans Firefighter's Fund.
Tickets to this 'five day feast of all sense's which will feature 175 world renowned wineries and 75 of New Orleans's top restaurants are available on the website of the festival and include tickets to individual events as well as a package called the Full Registrant Experience which is priced at $695 per head and includes admission to the highly anticipated Vinola Tasting and Auction, the Royal Street Stroll, six different seminars and the Friday and Saturday Grand Tasting. This package also includes a signed and numbered commemorative 2008 NOWFE poster but it does not include admission to the various Vintner Dinners which are to be held at the many area restaurants during the festival.
Signature Events at the 2008 New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Chef John Folse Presents : A taste of Louisiana May 20th at 625 St Charles.
This premium fine wine dinner will feature the creations of celebrated Chef John Folse which will be paired with fine wines from Chateaux Lassegue and Verite from the Bordeaux region in France.This fine wine dinner is priced at $125 per head.
Vintners Dinners ,Wednesday May 21st
Premier restaurants of New Orleans will celebrate the New Orleans Food and Wine experience by hosting gourmet dinners at which various eminent winemakers from participating wineries will be present to mingle with the guests and share their knowledge. The menus for the dinners will be carefully prepared by the chefs in active collaboration with the wine makers in order to achieve the perfect pairing of fine wine and good food. These dinners are priced from $85 to $125 and include wine. You are requested make your reservations with the participating restaurants directly. 
The 2nd Annual Vinola Tasting and Auction Thursday 22nd May at the Grand Ballroom at the Ritz Carlton
This highly anticipated event is restricted to the first 200 guests who reserve for the event. The event presents a unique opportunity for a few select wine aficionados to sample fine wines from round the world as they mingle with eminent winemakers. The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans will showcase 40 renowned wineries who will be serving their most highly rated reds to the crowd of attendees. These red wines generally retail for more than $75 a bottle. Tickets to the Vinola Tasting are priced at $150 per head.
The marquee event of this year's festival will be the Live Wine Auction will follow directly after this tasting event and attendees of Vinola will not be required to pay the $50 paddle fee for the auction.
This auction will include goodies such as more than a dozen wine-oriented packages and a also a wine trip for four to France, exclusive trips to California's Wine country, a fishing and dining experience with chef John Folse, large format bottles decorated by Louisana artists and many other products which are like manna for the serious wine enthusiasts. This event will also be accompanied by a silent auction. Both these events will be conducted by renowned auctioneer Fritz Hatton who will be joined by local television news anchor Eric Paulsen.
Royal Street Stroll sponsored by Rouses May 22nd
Discover the many charms of New Orleans as you visit the many enchanting galleries of Royal Street in New Orleans. At every stop there will be much thrilling entertainment in the form of Live Jazz and wine offerings. The Krewe of Cork and the 2008 Grand Mrashall Kix Brooks will also join the walk along Royal Street. Tickets for the event cost $75 per head and tend to sell out quickly.
Do visit the website of the New Orleans Wine and Food experience for more information about this enthralling gastronomic extravaganza.
Images on New Orleans posted originally on http://www.flickr.com by wally g,eamonn, and jwinfred.
