Grand Ambassador Sara Moulton Hosts The Third Annual Grand Wine & Food Affair

HOUSTON - January 25, 2006. The Grand Wine and Food Affair is drawing more celebrities, winemakers, noted chefs and adding more exciting events, making this one of the nation's foremost wine and food festivals. Central Market presents The Grand Wine & Food Affair which is scheduled April 26-30, 2006 with the headquarters at the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square. Author, television host and Executive Chef for Gourmet Magazine, Sara Moulton serves as Grand Ambassador. Sara will participate in a variety of cooking demonstrations and will be available to autograph her new book, Sara's Secrets.

"We have been pleased to establish the region's first multi-day wine and food festival of this quality" said Keri Schmidt, Director, The Grand Wine and Food Affair. "We are in our third year of planning and we are amazed at the national attention the event is generating. It has been a delight to provide a platform for the brilliant talent in the culinary community."

The VIP Grand Pass is a three-day classic combination that including access to The Grand Tasting, the Sienna Sip & Stroll and the Bistro Brunch. The Grand Tasting will take place on April 28, at the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square, featuring reserve quality or better wineries such as Jordan, Clicquot, Classic Wines of Spain, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Iron Horse Vineyards, DeLoach Vineyards, Hook and Ladder Vineyards and Sterling Vineyards, with more than 40 celebrated chefs including Austin's David Bull of The Driskill Grill and David Garrido of Jeffrey's; Dunia Borga of La Duni Latin Cafi in Dallas; Hawaii's David Abella, of Roy's; Texas Hill Country's acclaimed cookbook author Rebecca Rather of The Pastry Queen; and Houston's Robert Gadsby of Noi, Jason Gould of Gravitas, Philippe Schmit of Bistro Moderne, Jeffrey Everts of Olivette in The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa and Hugo Ortega of Backstreet, among many others.

A highlight of the festival is the Sienna Sip & Stroll, Saturday, April 29, 1-4 p.m. During this event, Sienna Plantation will host over 50 wineries and feature a restaurant showcase with culinary delights displayed at 40 tasting tables. Revelers with two left feet will feel compelled to dance to the hot Latin jazz of the Mark Towns Band. During the Sienna Sip & Stroll, guests may enjoy a host of activities including the Simply Spectacular Texas Shrimp cooking demonstration with award winning chefs including Randy Evans, executive chef for Brennan's, meet world class cigar makers at the Cigar Cigar club, or tour pihce de resistance, Domaine du Vin, the ultimate home for the wine and food lovers. Top Texas winemakers will discuss and taste the Mediterranean style wines in a lively panel discussion.

Capping the event on Sunday, April 30, is the Bistro Brunch at Sugar Land Town Square. The grand finale celebrates the world's major wine regions with vintages and food from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, California, and, of course, Texas.

From black tie to cowboy boots, there is an array of entertainment Texas style. Haakstravaganza!, Wednesday, April 26, is a delightful evening at the Mediterranean-style Haak Vineyards, the only winery between Galveston and Houston, complete with award-winning premium varietals, a Texas Gulf Coast feast and bluegrass music, along with tours by winemaker Raymond Haak.

The ultimate in elegance is One Enchanted Evening with Iron Horse Vineyards - a six-course black tie gourmet dinner - is slated for Thursday, April 27, at The Parador. Joy Anne Sterling, owner of Iron Horse Vineyards, along with Iron Horse chef Chris Greenwald, have created an inspired six-course dinner for this tasteful event. Iron Horse wines traditionally have been served at White House state dinners and events during the last three administrations.

Distinguished Women of Wine luncheon at