Harrahs-Harveys to host wine-food fest

The Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival arrives at Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe Sept. 30 and lasts through Oct. 3.

Events include lots of food and wine, plus discussions, presentations and demonstrations by celebrated food and wine experts including: Gary Vaynerchuk, author and host of the video blog Wine Library TV; Elizabeth Falkner, master chef and owner of Citizen Cake patisserie and Orson restaurant in San Francisco; Anthony Bourdain, chef, raconteur, author of bestsellers including No Reservations and Medium Raw, and host of the popular travel and food series, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; and Chef Martin Yan, celebrated host of more than 3,000 cooking shows including the Yan Can Cook and author of over 30 cookbooks.

Of course, food and wine are the biggest stars and a spectacular “Epicurean Expo,” featuring dishes from Harrah’s best restaurants across the country and the finest wines of Napa Valley and beyond, highlights the weekend.

The Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival kicks into high gear on Friday night with an “Asian Delights Dinner” at Gi Fu Loh restaurant at Harrah’s. Gi Fu Loh’s Master Chef Hung Wong and Master Chef Martin Yan will join forces to present an authentic, Cantonese-style five course dinner, presenting Asian specialties in an intimate setting.

At 7:30, the festival moves to the legendary South Shore Room at Harrah’s where Chef Elizabeth Falkner brings her high-energy presentation to the stage, featuring the unstoppable creativity that have made her one of the most recognizable faces of the Bay Area culinary scene.

Next door at 19 Kitchen, Gary Vaynerchuk hosts a Wine Pairing Dinner. Vaynerchuk matches-up some of his favorite vintages with an exquisite, multi-course meal prepared by the Harrah’s culinary team.

On Oct. 2, events get under way with “Beyond the Fork Epicurean Expo: An Affair for the Senses” at Harrah’s Special Events Center. Stroll through the Epicurean Expo and enjoy the multifarious tastes of Harrah’s best restaurants from around the country, plus local favorites and samplings from the best wineries in Napa Valley and beyond. There’s plenty of entertainment and exhibitions, too, featuring Chef Martin Yan’s popular Yan Can Cook demonstration, among others. Chef Falkner will be there and the Expo marks the official West Coast launch of the “Harrah’s Seven Stars Cookbook.” A full afternoon of culinary delights.

Also on Saturday afternoon is a special Wine Tasting with Gary Vaynerchuk at Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill, located on the 18th floor of Harrah’s.

On Saturday night, Harrah’s South Shore Room will host a special evening with Anthony Bourdain. A hugely insightful and entertaining author, chef, restaurateur, storyteller and TV star, Bourdain is best known for his many books and, especially, his hit show on the Travel Channel, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. His latest book, Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook, is a major success and currently on the New York Times Bestseller list.

On Oct. 3, a Farewell Brunch at Harveys 19 Kitchen will feature a variety of dishes from the “Harrah’s Seven Stars Cookbook,” prepared by Harrah’s chefs. Editor of the new Harrah’s cookbook, John Schlimm, will help host the event and autograph copies of the book. Schlimm is also author of the hugely popular Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook.

Additional events during the “Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival” include a special Saturday night Lafite Rothschild Winemaker’s Dinner at 19 Kitchen and a unique, one-day Tahoe Tech Talk Conference, featuring Gary Vaynerchuk and a panel of the top innovators in the world of the internet and social media.

For more information and to register for this special conference, go to: http://tahoetechtalkconf.com.