South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival returns for sixth year

The sixth annual “South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival” arrives at Harrah's and Harveys Lake Tahoe, Oct. 16 - 18, for an autumn weekend of great food, fine wine and high spirits.

Award-winning Chef Mark Tarbell is the featured celebrity chef this year, hosting several key events.

Events for this year include lots of dining and tasting experiences, plus discussions, presentations and demonstrations by celebrated food and wine experts. Food and wine are the biggest stars and a spectacular “Grand Market Expo” – featuring dishes from Harrah's and Harveys best restaurants, top-shelf spirits and the finest wines of Napa Valley and beyond – highlights the weekend.

Activities begin Friday evening, Oct. 16, with a Sake Tasting at Sushi Kai restaurant on the second floor of Harrah’s hotel. Enjoy tasting a variety of sake and discuss the basic components – such as traditional versus non-traditional – and the growing popularity of sake in the U.S.

Later that night, a Food & Wine Kick-Off Party takes place at PEEK Nightclub at Harrah’s featuring the models of Grey Goose, drink specials and great music. Admission is free for ladies and only ten bucks for gentlemen.

The South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival kicks into high gear on Saturday, Oct. 17 with the "Grand Market Expo," this year taking place at Harveys Convention Center. Stroll through the Grand Market and enjoy ongoing, interactive entertainment and the multifarious tastes of Harrah's best restaurants from around the country, plus local favorites, top-shelf spirits, craft brews and the best wineries in Napa Valley and beyond.

Chef Tarbell will be on hand at the Grand Market for some fun, exciting and edifying demonstrations.

The Grand Market Expo, open from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, promises to be a fun-filled afternoon of high spirits and culinary delights.

Additional events on Saturday evening include: “Wine 101” at the 16th floor President’s Lounge at Harrah’s and “Whiskeys of the World” at Harrah’s Cliché Lounge.

Chef Tarbell will be busy on Saturday evening helping host the “President’s Dinner with Mark Tarbell” at Harveys 19 Kitchen • Bar. The President’s Dinner features an intimate, four-course dinner prepared by Chef Tarbell. The popular chef will discuss each course and some of his best kept culinary secrets and techniques along the way. Questions are highly encouraged at this one-of-a-kind dinner party. Tickets are limited for this event.

In keeping with the theme of “food, wine and spirits,” the Gin Blossoms will be on stage for a special concert in Harrah’s South Shore Room on Saturday night, performing over two decades worth of alternative rock ‘n’ roll hits.

On Sunday, a “Farewell Champagne Brunch” takes place at Harrah’s award-winning Forest Buffet. Harrah’s and Harveys chefs will be preparing some of the scrumptious selections, including made-to-order omelets, traditional breakfast delights, specialty salads, fresh fruits and an extraordinary dessert bar, not to mention breathtaking views from the restaurant’s 18th floor aerie.

The South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival calendar of events:

Friday, October 16
· Sake Tasting – Harrah’s Sushi Kai – 10 to 11 p.m.
· PEEK Kick-Off Party – Harrah’s PEEK Nightclub – 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Saturday, October 17
· Grand Market Expo – Harveys Convention Center – 1 to 3:30 p.m.
· Wine 101 – Harrah’s President’s Lounge – 4 to 5 p.m.
· President’s Dinner with Mark Tarbell – Harveys 19 Kitchen • Bar – 5 to 7 p.m.
· Gin Blossoms in Concert – Harrah’s South Shore Room – 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.
· Whiskeys of the World – Harrah’s Cliché Lounge – 10 to 11 p.m.
· Grey Goose Night at PEEK – Harrah’s Peek Nightclub – 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Sunday October 18
· Farewell Champagne Brunch – Harrah’s Forest Buffet – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tarbell studied in Paris, receiving wine training at the l'Acadamie du Vin and earning a Grande Diplome d'Etude Culinaire from La Verenne Ecole du Cuisine. Nominated for "Best Chef - Southwest" by the James Beard Foundation, he has been invited to cook at many special events around the country and for a stellar line-up of political, sports, and entertainment celebrities, including the Dalai Lama, Muhammed Ali and Clint Eastwood.

Mark and his restaurants have earned more than 50 awards through the years, he has written the weekly wine column for the Arizona republic since 2004, and has been published in numerous magazines such as Wine Spirits and Food Arts. Mark has appeared on “Good Morning America,” the “Today Show” and several Food Network programs including the battle in the Iron Chef America Kitchen Stadium.

For more information, event prices and to purchase tickets to this year’s South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival events, please go to www.ltfoodandwine.com. Patrons must be at least 21 years of age to attend any of these events. Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com (search under “Harrah’s Lake Tahoe”) and at Harrah’s and Harveys Box Offices.