LAUREN WOOD/THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Nora Kathryn Strickland of E. & J. Gallo hands a glass of wine to Kelley McCann Friday night during the Tastings Along the River event of the Natchez Food and Wine Festival. Hundreds of locals filled the Natchez Convention Center to do a bit of sampling.

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Tickle your taste buds: 800 fill first night of Food and Wine

Published 12:01am Saturday, July 28, 2012

By Kristin Hogans/The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Taste buds got a warm up Friday night before a weekend of eating at the 12th annual Natchez Food and Wine Festival takes center stage.

Approximately 800 people — including volunteers, chefs and attendees — filled the Natchez Convention Center for Tastings Along the River.

Co-chairs of this event, Lyn Fortenbery and Stratton Hall, said they were excited about the turnout this year. Tickets were sold out by the end of the day Thursday.

Annette and Walter Redden from Jackson said they try to be in attendance at the festival every year.

“I always told people how nice it was and how well planned out it was,” Annette said.

Annette is very interested in the culinary arts, she said, and seeks out events that deal specifically with food.

The six-year winner of the people’s choice award for wine, E. & J. Gallo, came back to defend their title and came out on top once again.

They brought four different types of wine and were ready for the competition.

Codi Graves of E. & J. said they had been coming since it started and that it was a great event.

“No doubt, the best event in Mississippi,” Graves said.

While those in attendance enjoyed the Tastings along the River, the musical styling of Osgood & Blaque Duo Band from Vicksburg charmed them.

Partners Cee Blaque and Greg Osgood said they think people have a lot of fun at the event each year. The group has been the musicians for the event for six years and said they hope to continue if they can.

“If you ain’t coming to have a good time with Osgood and Blaque, don’t come,” Blaque said.

Food and Wine Festival Events will continue today with Biscuits, Beignets and Breakfast at the Natchez Coffee Company at 8 a.m.

A wine and cheese tasting will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Castle at Dunleith.

Tickets are still available for Brews, Blues and Burgers at Bowie’s from 4 to 7 p.m. today for $35; an Invitation to the Natchez Table at Stanton Hall at 6:30 today for $85; and the Champagne Jazz Brunch at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at The Carriage House Restaurant for $50 Sunday.

Awards handed out Friday night included:

People’s Choice Awards: Wine

• First place: E. & J. Gallo

• Second place: R.N.D.C. Vintage

• Third place: Glazer

People’s Choice Awards: Beer

• First place: Tin Roof Brewery

• Second place: Stokes Distributors

• Third place: Southwest Distributors

Food tasting Winners:

• First place: Fat Cow Burgers & More

• Second place: Sylvai

• Third place: Babalu Tacos and Tapas

 

 

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  • Anonymous

    I TOTALLY disagree with the food winner selections!!! It just proves this is like everything else in Natchez===a vote for popularity…. Not for what really was the best…. The Royal Sonesta from New Orleans did Crepes filled w/ a goat cheese filling, and topped w/ a red and green sauce that was SUPURB compared to all other offerings @ this event….. If this is going to continue to be a successful event, you need judges who come in and rate the food, not some Bubba who thinks a hamburger is #1….. I’m still scratching my head on this one….. One local business did their rendition of crawfish etouffee’  that did not come any thing close to a authentic Cajun crawfish etouffee….. I was rather embarrased, especially for people who traveled here from out of town to sample something from a local establishment. Regardless, fun was had by all—just looks like we need to find a larger venue for this event or cap it at a number that people are not stepping on top of each other…… Congratulations on year 12….. Hope we become more selective in vendors and bring more up from New Orleans/ Lafayette…… :)

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