Beautiful Skies reigned supreme over the Village at Northstar as more than 2,000 food and wine lovers came out for the 23rd Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, Sept. 6 and 7. Those present were treated to gourmet demonstrations, fine libations and delectable creations from some of Sierra Nevada’s finest.
Chef Mike Trombetta, owner of Farm to Belly Personal Chef Services, took home the title of Blazing Pans Champion on Sat. The judges favored his rabbit dishes (this year’s secret ingredient) over two-time reigning Blazing Pans champion Jacques Cornelis from Resort at Squaw Creek.
This year’s Grand Tasting on Sunday featured the food and wine pairings of more than 30 of the region’s finest restaurants, caterers and premium wineries. Food and wine industry professionals, in a double blind judging, tasted and rated each pairing.
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Winners 2008:
Best Marriage of Food & Wine:
Gold – Sunnyside Resort (scallops stuffed with crab and pesto on a risotto cake) with Rombauer 2007 Chardonnay from Carneros
Silver – Full Belly Deli (tri-tip gorgonzola with ancho chili zin demi glace) with Dogwood 2005 Zinfandel from Mendocino
Bronze – West Shore Cafe (lamb tagine) with Anomaly 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley
People’s Choice Awards:
Best Marriage of Food & Wine: Sunnyside Resort and Rombauer
Best White Wine: Rombauer
Best Red Wine: Anomaly
Best Food: Frederick’s Fusion Bistro (lobster corndog)
Best Table Presentation: North Tahoe Catering with Wente Vineyards
