Columbus Food & Wine Co-Chair Sings the Praises of Grand Event Created by cfwaadmin on 5/4/2011 2:29:48 PM As owner of Tutto Vino Wine Cellar and Bistro in Dublin, you might think that Raj Hora would be all about the wines being served at this year’s Columbus Food & Wine Affair Grand Tasting. The truth is, Hora, who is the event co-chair, is equally excited about the food. “Once you attend the Grand Tasting, you will get an excellent taste of what we have right here in Central Ohio both in food and wine,” Hora says.
The Grand Tasting, set for 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., Friday, September 24 at Franklin Park Conservatory, will draw more than a thousand people. The event showcases the very best of 40 of Central Ohio’s finest restaurants while vintners pour more than 300 domestic and international wines. “Typically, people think you can only find an event of this caliber in California or Miami or Aspen,” Hora says, “But, we have it right here, and it’s fantastic.”
Hora says the event, which started eight years ago as a vision of Gail Baker of the Central Ohio Restaurant Association, Greg Maurer of Heidelberg Distributing, and David Miller of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, just continues to grow and—like some wines—gets better each year. “This was started as an event that could showcase food and wine in Columbus while benefiting a number of local charities,” Hora says. “Since it debuted, it has raised nearly $400,000 for charities and has become a serious contender when it comes to food and wine events in this city.”
Indeed. The event began in 2003, taking up a modest amount of space at the Conservatory. Today, it has enveloped the grounds going from the inside atrium, the Palm House, the mallway, the rooftop gardens, and about as far west as you can go. “I would say we have food, wine, artists and retailers taking up about the length of three football fields,” Hora says. “Truly, it is something to see firsthand.”
“For people who are interested in wine, it demystifies the learning,” Hora says. “There is opportunity to taste so many wines without obligation to buy. It’s the perfect setting to talk to winemakers, ask questions and learn from the experts.” Hora says it’s the same with food. “You name it, and it’s there: sushi, beef, lamb—and prepared so deliciously by some of the top chefs in our area. It’s a complete culinary experience.”
Along with featuring the best of the hospitality industry of our area, Hora is excited about the involvement of industry and education personnel in the event. “Students and instructors from The Columbus Culinary Institute and Tolles Career and Technical Center are very involved this year,” Hora shares. “They will have a spectacular array of desserts and they will also help assist a number of our participating restaurants. Since the restaurant industry is our nation’s largest private sector employer, we want to help these students succeed and become a vital part of the industry.” He adds, “ We also receive tremendous support from the Ohio Pork Producers Council, Gordon Food Service and Local Matters. There are so many contributors that add to our success.”
Talk to Hora and you’ll find his excitement about the Columbus Food & Wine Affair Grand Tasting to be contagious. It’s growing. It’s benefiting great charities like the WBNS-10TV Family Fund and the Central Ohio Restaurant Association. It’s filling. And, it’s not to be missed. To purchase tickets at $125 each, go to www.foodandwineaffair.com.
Event Partners are WBNS-10TV, Discover, The Columbus Dispatch, SYSCO, Riedel Crystal and Giant Eagle MARKET DISTRICT. Founders include Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Heidelberg Distributing, Central Ohio Restaurant Association. Event support provided by Columbus Fish Market/Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Hospitality Group, Ohio Grape Industries Committee, S. Pellegrino, Franklin Park Conservatory, Madison & Fifth, Vital Film Works and North American Broadcasting. Educational Partners include the Columbus Culinary Institute and TOLLES Career & Technical Center.
