The Grafton Inn is gearing up to host the second annual Grafton Food Festival, a celebration of local food and farms in Vermont, July 12 and 13, in Grafton Village. The event is presented by Northeast FLAVOR, an award-winning food and wine magazine focused on New England culinary pursuits. This year's pinnacle is the appearance of celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito, host of the popular PBS show Ciao Italia.
The weekend's celebration of Vermont's taste of place gives festival goers the opportunity to sample local food from regional food providers, enjoy celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, attend a farmer's brunch and meet the world-renowned chef Mary Ann Esposito.
On Saturday, July 12, the festivities take place under the event tent and include tastings from more than 20 vendors including Grafton Village Cheese, Sidehill Farm, Blake Hill Preserves, and more from 10 am to 6 pm. New this year is a Junior Iron Chef event, Grafton's version of the statewide culinary competition that challenges teams of Vermont students to create healthy, local dishes that inspire school meal programs.
Guests will also have the chance to enjoy cooking demonstrations featuring nationally recognized chefs including Jason Tostrup of Okemo Mountain Resort, Martin Schuelke of the Grafton Inn and Lisa Richards of Green Mountain Flour.
The highlight of the weekend includes celebrity guest participation by Mary Ann Esposito, host of the PBS television cooking show, Ciao Italia. This year, the series - focusing on authentic Italian cuisine - celebrates its milestone 25th season, making it the longest running cooking series in television history. Esposito will conduct an apron signing on Saturday, July 12 at 7 pmand will perform a free cooking demonstration on Sunday, July 13 at 11 am, followed by a book signing.
On Sunday, July 13, a Farmers breakfast featuring many of the Grafton Food Festival vendors will be held in the Grafton Inn courtyard from 8 - 11:30 am. An outdoor farmer's market will be held adjacent to the breakfast, as well as Esposito's cooking demonstration and book signing.
The Grafton Food Festival will be held under an all-weather tent behind the Grafton Inn, located in Grafton Village. Cost is $10 per person or $15 for a weekend pass; children under 12 are free.
The Grafton Inn is offering a special Grafton Food Festival lodging package that includes two night’s lodging at the historic inn, entry to the Food Festival and a special Food Festival goodie bag and entry to the Farmer's Brunch for just $399.
For the complete event agenda and to book lodging or dinner reservations, visit GraftonFoodFestival.com or call 800-843-1801.
Sponsors of the Grafton Food Festival include Grafton Village Cheese, Blake Hill Preserves and Sidehill Farm Jams.
About the Grafton Inn
Since 1801, the Grafton Inn has been providing visitors with timeless elegance in a quintessential Vermont setting. A sanctuary from the everyday world, the 45-room country inn is fully refurbished to offer the finest comforts and amenities, including the popular Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center. The award winning Old Tavern restaurant offers locally-inspired American cuisine, using only the freshest local ingredients, and Phelps Barn Pub offers casual dining and live music. The Grafton Inn is part of the nonprofit Windham Foundation, whose mission is to promote Vermont’s rural communities.
About Northeast FLAVOR
Each issue of the quarterly published Northeast FLAVOR features delicious recipes and techniques for home cooks, great restaurants and their chefs, healthy, simple, family-friendly menus, seasonal flavors, celebrity chef profiles, and more from the New England region. Each article is written and designed with its readers in mind. Northeast FLAVOR magazine is divided into six distinct and topical sections including Food & Cooking, Chefs & Restaurants, In the Glass, Local & Sustainable, Northeast Traditions and Get Inspired.
Source: Windham Foundation, June 25, 2014
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