Jacques Pepin is best known for his cookbooks and TV shows that introduced Americans to traditional French cuisine.  If you want to taste some of his cuisine, Jacques Pepin also designs the menus on all Oceania cruises. As a matter of fact, Oceania’s newest ship, the Oceania Marina has a restaurant called Jaques. It is the first restaurant anywhere to bear the chef’s name. The sister ship, Oceania Riviera launching in 2012, will also offer Jacques Pepin’s restuarant.

The New York City Wine & Food festival dates are September 29th through October 2nd.  If you want to attend something with a food network Celebrity Chef, you might consider the Anne Burrell Rock & Bowl on Sept 29th at 9:30 pm for $150 pp, Fried, hosted by Tyler Florence on Sept 30th at 9 p.m. ($150 pp) or Patron Tequila’s Art of the Taco hosted by Bobby Flay on Oct 1st at 7 p.m. ($200 pp).

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is produced by Karlitz & Company and Southern Wine & Spirits of New York.  Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.  Hosted by and benefiting the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®, 100% of the Festival’s net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger.  More information about the Festival can be found at nycwineandfoodfestival.com.

New York City Wine & Food Festival is a post from: TasteForCooking

To mark its fifth anniversary, the famed resorts of Las Vegas have assembled an unparalleled collection of Celebrity chefs, master sommeliers and cutting-edge mixologists in the nation. Vegas Uncork’d–an homage to their skill, their cuisine and their fans–is an exclusive opportunity to not just taste their food, but to rub elbows with them throughout four days of unique events.

To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.VegasUncorked.com.

Vegas Uncork’d, Presented by Bon Appétit is a post from: TasteForCooking

Food Network Signature Cruise Video from Atlas Travel Media on Vimeo.

Learn to cook with Food Network Chefs on select Food Network cruises.  Last year (2010,) foodies sailed with Cat Cora and Arron Sanchez.  

For 2011, Atlas Cruises and Tours, is now offering a Mediterranean and Transatlantic Food Network at Sea cruise featruing Anne Burrell, the vivacious host of the popular series Worst Cooks in America and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.  

The 11-night cruise aboard the new Celebrity Silhouette sails Rome, Cagliari, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon and New York, departing October 22, 2011.

Atlas Cruises and Tours Food Network Travel guests will enjoy exclusive access to authentic and engaging Food Network Travel experiences. “By invitation only” Food Network cruise events include: culinary demonstrations led by Food Network star Anne Burrell, hands-on interactive cooking classes led by Food Network Kitchens chefs, private parties featuring Food Network recipes, and Food Network VIP Hospitality lounge. Food Network guests will also receive pre-paid gratuities and special turndown gifts.

An additional highlight of the inaugural sailing expanded on this cruise is the hands-on cooking classes led by the chefs of the Food Network Kitchens. These intimate classes give each guest the opportunity to create and eat his or her own culinary masterpieces. The chefs walk from station to station providing tips and assistance to each guest, creating a truly interactive experience.

Plans are in development to offer a range of exclusive Food Network programs, including additional cruises, as well as land vacations and wine and food festival packages. These experiences will include exclusive access to Food Network stars, as well as trips tied to specific Food Network culinary trends and topics.

Food Network Travel packages for this Mediterranean and Transatlantic sailing featuring Anne Burrell start from $1897 with all exclusive Food Network events included. For information go to Food Network Cruises 2011, or call 800-942-3301.

Food Network Cruise 2011 is a post from: TasteForCooking

The four-day “Flavor! Napa Valley Celebration of Wine, Food & Fun” will feature world-class Napa Valley wines alongside chefs who either have restaurants in the region and/or are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America. Net proceeds from the event will support programs and scholarships at the CIA’s Greystone Campus.

Long-time Napa Valley chefs and residents Michael Chiarello, Ken Frank, Jeffrey Jake, Thomas Keller, Christopher Kostow, and Cindy Pawlcyn, along with Food Network’s Tyler Florence and Masaharu Morimoto – both recent additions to the Valley’s dynamic restaurant scene – will collaborate with an array of celebrated food and wine talent to host events over the weekend.

Silverado Resort and Spa and Dolce Hotel Group are founding sponsors of Flavor! Napa Valley. “We are honored to host the first Flavor! Napa Valley celebration,” says Silverado Resort and Spa General Manager John Evans. “Silverado is delighted to be a part of this showcase of unique culinary talent and world-class wineries found only in the Napa Valley, all to benefit the CIA.”  

An array of educational and entertaining wine seminars at the CIA will be hosted by fellow Napa Valley residents and wine experts Karen MacNeil, who chairs the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the CIA, and Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson.

Renown for producing a number of unique, high profile epicurean events, Karlitz & Company will manage all aspects of event production, including securing all sponsors, chef and wine talent.  A leading culinary event-marketing company, Karlitz & Company produces a range of high profile events, including the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.  

More details will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets will go on sale on May 16 at www.flavornapavalley.com.

Epicurean Extravaganza in Napa Valley is a post from: TasteForCooking

Invite your friends to get in on “inspired” FUN & SUN as Ensemble Inspired Journeys presents a Paula Deen Cruise: Western Caribbean Party-at-Sea!

Sail seven days roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale – January 30-February 6, 2011 – aboard Holland America Line’s brand-new ms Nieuw Amsterdam from $1,529 per person. For booking information go to http://www.atlastravelweb.com/pauladeencruise.html 1-800-942-3301

Paula Deen and Family are setting sail for an exciting and delectable winter-busting cruise. And we’ve got lots of surprises in store! Everything from a cooking critique to private parties (including a barbecue and the first ever Deen Beach Olympics on Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s very own private island paradise) from games to photo sessions and optional hosted excursions.

Paula will be joined by husband Michael and other members of her family. Come share their enthusiasm for great cuisine, good living and good fun.

Private Events & Highlights

Aboard the Stunning New ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam is the perfect ship for this culinary adventure. It’s spanking new (inaugural voyage – July 2010), bright and spacious, beautifully decorated, and has fabulous entertainment and multiple dining options. The ms Nieuw Amsterdam expands the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. The ship also features the family-style Canaletto’s Italian restaurant.

Other additions are an Explorer’s Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured The Showroom at Sea, and a new photographic and imaging center. The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe – a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, and the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line.For booking information go to http://www.atlastravelweb.com/pauladeencruise.html 800-942-3301

Paula Deen and Family Cruise aboard Holland America is a post from: TasteForCooking

First place takes home $1,000; 2nd place $500 and 3rd place $300.

Competitive eaters “Fabulous” Floria Lee and “Gentleman” Joe Menchetti were last year’s winners eating 38 and 66 dumplings respectively. Both reigning champions are expected to re-enter the contest this year to defend their titles. Chef One’s newest product Tang’s Natural Whole Wheat Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings featuring Bell & Evans chicken will be used in this year’s contest. To register, please call (718) 744-6999 or email dumpling@chefonecorp.com. The deadline for registration is October 20, 2009. For more information, visit www.dumplingfestival.com.

6th Annual Dumpling Eating Contest is a post from: TasteForCooking

Celebrate culinary adventures as the 14th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines, and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe.  Plus, be sure to savor the sizzling sounds of the “Eat to the Beat” concert series that stars a stellar line-up of popular musical acts!

Visit the hub for all Festival information at the Festival Welcome Center, where you’ll find the Festival Wine Shop, the Wonders Bar for champagne and wine, and the official book-signing location for celebrity chefs and authors. Explore the Stockpot shop featuring marvelous merchandise including Disney Gift Cards, a handy way to pay for so much fun at the Festival!

Set the mood for food with the savory sounds of dazzling, diverse musical acts, live on stage at World Showcase, America Gardens Theatre.

Start planning your Disney vacation now 1-800-942-3301 !

Epcot® Food and Wine Festival 2009 is a post from: TasteForCooking

Participants and prices for 2010 have yet to be released. We’ll post the information as soon as it become available. Visit their site for more information at http://www.bocabacchanal.com