Big Sky adds a new chapter to Montana’s culinary story with the inaugural Big Sky Food & Wine Festival to be held Thursday through Saturday, September 24th–26th.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Lone Mountain, the three-day celebration brings together more than 40 acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, winemakers and beverage experts for a weekend that promises to be as much about the experience as what’s on the plate. Cooking demonstrations, intimate dinners, live-fire cooking, wine and cocktail tastings, live music and plenty of Montana hospitality will give food lovers a new reason to make Big Sky their destination.
At the heart of the festival will be the Grand Tasting Tent at the Big Sky Events Arena in Town Center, where some of the country’s most celebrated culinary talent will gather alongside Montana chefs and producers. Host chef Ming Tsai will be joined by such luminaries as Nancy Silverton, Akira Back, Jeremy Ford, Eduardo Garcia and Marc Forgione.
The culinary lineup stretches from California and New York to Miami, Texas and Mexico, while Montana is well represented by chefs including Josh Adams, Wei Chen, Marc Felder, Cesare Lanfranconi, Jarrett Wrisley and Tsai himself. On the Culinary Stage, Tsai will host demonstrations with several of the festival’s featured chefs, offering guests a chance to see the craft behind the cuisine.
The weekend’s more intimate experiences may prove equally enticing. Thursday opens with a lively BBQ at The Barn, while Friday brings dinners hosted by Roberto Alcocer at Montage Big Sky and Akira Back and Ming Tsai at One&Only Moonlight Basin. Saturday features “Big Night” with Nancy Silverton and Marc Forgione at Tips Up, an omakase experience hosted by Wei Chen at Backcast, and a closing celebration at Buck’s Roadhouse.
Throughout the festival, guests can explore wines from some of the world’s most respected producers, Montana craft spirits and breweries, artisan foods, and cocktails in the Montana Mixology Tent. Live music from emerging artists including Brittney Spencer and HAFFWAY will add another layer to the festivities.
While the talent on the guest list is undeniably impressive, the festival’s setting may be its greatest ingredient. Big Sky’s combination of wide-open landscapes, local agriculture, outdoor adventure and increasingly sophisticated food scene provides a distinctly Montana backdrop for a celebration of food and drink. And hosted in benefit of the Big Sky Community Food Bank, the event offers something beyond indulgence: a chance to bring people together around the table and give back to the community that makes the setting so special.
Find a detailed schedule of events, ticketing access and additional information at www.bigskyfw.com. •
