New Orleans Wine And Food Experience

NEW ORLEANS  Thousands of gastronomes and oenophiles will gather in New Orleans once again in the spring of 2003 for the citys yearly, one-of-a-kind extravaganza centering on fine food and drink.

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE), one of the countrys premier attractions for wine and food lovers, will be held from Wednesday, May 21, through Sunday, May 25, 2003. As it has in years past, the event will spotlight the citys legendary restaurants along with fine wines from around the globe.

This will be our twelfth edition, said NOWFE President Tim McNally, and it puts us right up there with the premier wine events in the country. Were also among the largest such events anywhere, with more than 250 wineries represented and more than a hundred of the citys fine restaurants participating. The added benefit is that were in New Orleans. Who throws a party better than we do?

During the five-day program, more than 800 vintages from around the world will be poured at a series of indoor and outdoor events. They include:

Vintners Dinners at 34 restaurants, hosted by winery representatives and pairing select wines with menus, all on Wednesday, May 21, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Royal Street Experience a festive stroll through the French Quarters Main Street (closed to vehicular traffic), on Thursday, May 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. With live music from New Orleans musicians as a backrop, wines and food will be offered at some of the streets most stylish antique shops and art galleries. The Royal Street Guild is the sponsor of the event.

Two days of Grand Tastings with dishes from more than 100 of New Orleans world-renowned restaurants and wines from more than 250 producers, on Friday, May 23 (from 5 to 8 p.m.), and Saturday, May 24 (from 1 to 4 p.m.), at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Two days of Seminars on a wide range of topics, led by winemakers and other experts in viniculture and the wine industry, on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.

Bubbles and Brunch a convivial champagne jazz brunch on Sunday, May 25.

Tickets for NOWFE 2003 will go on sale beginning February 1, 2003. The cost of full registration is $395.00 and includes admission to the Royal Street Experience, both Grand Tastings, selected seminars and the Sunday champagne jazz brunch. Tickets to individual events will be sold separately, based on availability.

Vintners Dinners are not included in the full-registration price, and reservations for them must be made directly with the restaurants. The cost per person is $85.00.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.nowfe.com, phone 504-529-WINE (9463), or by fax at 504-596-FOOD (3663).

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is a non-profit organization. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana Restaurant Associations School-to-Career Program, a mentoring curriculum serving young people in the state who are interested in careers in the restaurant industry.

Further information on NOWFE 2003 is available by telephone at 504-529-WINE (9463) or online at www.nowfe.com.