Event Features 17 Wineries and 4 Celebrity Chef Demonstrations
CAPE MAY – The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) returns to the NASW Aviation Museum at the historic Hanger #1 in the Cape May Airport for the Cape May Wine & Food Experience on Columbus Day weekend, October 8-9 from noon to 5 p.m. each day, featuring samplings from 17 leading GSWGA wineries and celebrity chef demonstrations. Attendees during Cape May’s Victorian Weekend will be able to see classic Cape May Airport airplanes on display, sample over 150 New Jersey wines and see notable chefs such as Mike Colameco, Diane Henderiks, Erick Weatherspool and Marilyn Schossbach prepare some gastronomical delights.
Advance tickets are now on sale for $25 + fee and can be purchased online at tix.extremetix.com/webtix/545. This price will remain in effect until October 5. It will then be $30 through the event. Gates open each day at 11:30 a.m. with wine sampling conducted from noon to 4:30 p.m. each day. Wine sales end at 5 p.m.
Celebrity Chefs
Each day will feature chef demonstrations by leading television and culinary stars. On Saturday, Diane Henderiks, Multimedia Chef/Culinary Nutritionist will take the stage at 1 p.m. Diane graduated from Monmouth University with degrees in marketing and management then began a career in the garment district of New York City. Diane quickly realized that food and health was where she wanted to focus her career, so she went back to school with a focus in nutrition and health sciences. She completed the Dietetic Internship Program at University Hospital at the University of Medicine & Dentistry in New Jersey where she received the Award for Clinical Excellence. After years in private practice, Diane self-published a cookbook and started “Diane’s Daily Dish,” her personal chef and catering business. It did not take long for Diane to become one of America’s top go-to food, healthy cooking and eating experts for national television, print and online media. She has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “FOX & Friends,” “The Chew,” “CBS Early Show,” “Good Day New York,” “CBS News,” “ABC News,” “NBC,” “FOX,” “CNN,” “TLC,” “The Better Show” and “Martha Stewart Radio,” and has been featured in the “New York Times” and “Shape Magazine.”
Erick Weatherspool, former winner of Food Network’s “Chopped,” former chef at Tom’s River’s Bistro 44, current Executive Chef of Monmouth University for Gourmet Dining, and current overseer of culinary operations at Monmouth Park Race Track, will be on stage at 3 p.m. He is a member of the American Culinary Federation, awarded bronze and silver medals for NACUFS (National Associations of College & University Food Services), and is preparing to be Certified Executive Chef. An additional chef for Saturday will be announced shortly.
Sunday’s cooking showcase will be headlined by television host and chef Mike Colameco at 1 p.m. and Marilyn Schlossbach at 3 p.m.
Michael “Mike” Colameco is an American chef, author and media personality. A 45-year veteran of the restaurant industry, he is the host and producer for “Mike Colameco’s Real Food” television show, retooled from the original three-part series “The Food Dude.” Since 2006, he has hosted a live weekly radio show called “Food Talk.” Colameco is a long time contributor to “Saveur,” “Edible Manhattan,” “Edible New Jersey,” “Snooth” and “Guitar Aficionado” magazines, and in 2009, he published “Lover’s Guide to New York City” with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Marilyn Schlossbach is an executive chef and restaurateur who founded and manages the Marilyn Shlossbach Group, a hospitality company that currently manages restaurant and retail environments along with a catering business in some of New Jersey’s most beloved shore towns, including Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, Labrador Lounge in Normandy Beach, A.P.Y.C. (Asbury Park Yacht Club), Pop’s Garage in Asbury Park and Shrewsbury, Catering by Marilyn and What’s Your Beef in Rumson.
Wineries
Seventeen GSWGA wineries will be participating: Auburn Road Vineyards; Bellview Winery; Cape May Winery; Cava Winery; Chestnut Run Farm; Coda Rossa Winery; DiBella Winery; DiMatteo Vineyards; Hawk Haven Vineyard; Heritage Vineyards; Monroeville Winery; Plagido’s Winery; Sharrott Winery; Tomasello Winery; Valenzano Winery; Villari Vineyards; and Wagonhouse Winery.
Official Hotel Partner
The GSWGA will be partnering with the LaMer Beachfront Inn in Cape May to offer a special room deal for guests attending the Cape May Wine & Food Experience. The LaMer Beachfront Inn will offer a 10% discount off their best available rate for up to five – one night stays on Friday, and up to three – two night stays on Saturday. Guests may call (609) 884-9000 and choose option #3 for reservations. You can then provide the agent with the name of the event (Cape May Wine & Food Experience) and the dates (10/7 – 10/10). Online reservations can be made at goo.gl/EUXbEz.
The GSWGA is a coalition of nearly 50 wineries and vineyards across New Jersey, dedicated to raising the quality and awareness of New Jersey wine. For more information, visit www.newjerseywines.com.