Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Fest announces culinary lineup

Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Fest announces culinary lineup

The third annual Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Festival presented by Wind Creek Atmore returns to Main Street Sept. 15-17 with a robust roster of talent. The three-day culinary event will feature more than 20 of the Gulf Coast’s most beloved chefs and restaurants.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, the event will kick off with a VIP experience at The Palms from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with a cutthroat competition between Chris Sherrill (Flora-Bama Yacht Club), Brody Olive (Perdido Beach Resort) and Chris Kelly (Driftwood Bar & Grille, Ronin Sushi Bar). The chefs will race against the clock as they encounter culinary challenges to create the best dish made with Alabama Gulf Seafood.
James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst, authors of The Couples Kitchen, will team up to emcee the Chef Showdown. There will be select vendor wine tasting, an auction preview, an open bar and giveaways. Individual tickets for the kick-off event are $25. Combo tickets for the Chef Showdown and Grand Tasting are $60. Ticket prices will rise on July 15 to $30/$75 and again for last minute pricing to $35/$90.
The Wharf is home to more than 10 unique restaurants with fare ranging from sushi to steak and everything in between. Participating venues along with those along the Gulf Coast will have individual wine dinners with specials and pairings Friday, Sept 16.
The Wharf Entertainment District will be lined with vendors serving more than 150 labels of wines and small bites for the culinary competition from participating restaurants including: Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina, Master Joe’s, Shipp’s Harbor Grill, Driftwood Bar & Grille, Ronin Sushi Bar, Ginny Lane Bar and Grill
Villaggio Grille, Flora Bama Yacht Club, Voyagers, Coast and Cowgirls.
This year, The Wharf Uncorked champion will be an automatic Elite Qualifier for the World Food Championships in November back at The Wharf.
Guests can visit the Culinary Experience Tent for demonstrations from top chefs like two-time ‘Chopped’ champion and cookbook author Briscione; Peter D’Andrea with Wind Creek who has cooked for kings, presidents and renowned chef Julia Childs; and ‘Food Network Star’ runner-up and writer/blogger, Jay Ducote. Early bird tickets for the Grand Tasting are $50. Regular ticket pricing begins July 15 at $60 and last minute pricing is $70 starting Sept. 1.
In addition, there will be a luxury yacht walk, book signings, both live and silent auctions benefitting Make-A-Wish® Alabama and a high-end tasting tent with wines including: Jordan, Duck Horn, Cannonau di Sardegna and Anastasia Semidano. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster.com, or at The Wharf box office. For more information, please visit TheWharfUncorked.com.
Pictured: (L to R) Chris Kelly, Brody Olive, Chris Sherrill.