Participants Needed for Cape May Food & Wine Festival

CAPE MAY—Can you cook-up a batch of winning chowder, are you an expert in the world of wine or food, and can you whip up a recipe on the spot?
Then the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), sponsors of the 14th annual Cape May Food & Wine Festival, wants to hear from you!
MAC is looking for participants in the People’s Choice Chowder Contest and the Chefs’ Cook-Off, plus guest lecturers during the Harvest Wine Festival, one of the new main events during this year’s Food & Wine Festival, Sept. 18-26.
The People’s Choice Chowder Contest at the Harvest Wine Festival on Sat., Sept. 18 features a variety of chowders from which visitors can sample. People can vote for their favorite by dropping a ticket stub in the corresponding collection jar.
All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, which supports children and young adults in need. Local chefs, restaurants and businesses are invited to submit their chowders in the contest. Sorry, we can only accept chowders from professional chefs affiliated with restaurants and businesses (no homemade chowders).
On Sun., Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m., local chefs feel the competitive heat as they face each other in a test of talent, skill and speed during the Chefs’ Cook-Off at the Harvest Wine Festival. National award winning beer reviewer and former Sirius Radio contributor Gary Monterosso will emcee the Chefs’ Cook-Off during which the participating chefs are presented with a mystery protein and must race against the clock to prepare a dish on the spot.
On Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19, the Harvest Wine Festival at the Cape May Winery will be hosting informative food and wine related lectures. Are you an expert at food and wine pairings or can you discuss unique culinary techniques?
Then now is your chance to sign-up to be one of the lecturers during the Harvest Wine Festival. Any food or wine related lecture or presentation will be considered.
For more information, to enter your chowder in the contest, participate in the Chefs’ Cook-Off or become a food and wine lecturer, contact MAC Director of Visitors Services & Special Events, Janice Coyle at (609) 884-5404, Ext. 115.
The new Harvest Wine Festival is a two-day, outdoor food and wine extravaganza at the Cape May Winery in North Cape May from Sat., Sept. 18 through Sun., Sept. 19. Food and craft vendors set up shop and sell their products and local wineries offer samples.
National award winning beer reviewer Gary Monterosso emcees the Chefs’ Cook-Off on Sun., Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m. and a selection of area restaurants offer up samples of their best chowder at the People’s Choice Chowder Contest on Saturday, Sept. 18. Both days feature daily chef demonstrations, lectures and presentations, mini winery tours, kid’s activities and live music by Bluebone. Admission $25 (includes wine tastings). The event runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
The 14th annual Cape May Food & Wine Festival is presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), in conjunction with Cape May’s restaurant community. The festival features more than a week of events for those who love good food and wine including the first Harvest Wine Festival, winery tours, tastings, demonstrations, the annual Chefs’ Cook-Off and the People’s Choice Chowder Contest, plus Chefs’ Dine-Arounds, Gourmet Lunches, a Beer Tasting Dinner, a Cape May Wine School Class, workshops, and cooking classes with chefs from award-winning restaurants, and much more.
Sponsors include Cape May Winery, Turdo Vineyards, Mercer Estates Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyard, Seaside Cheese Co., Triple Oaks Nursery, and CapeMay.com.
For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.