Introducing Jackson’s New Food and Wine Festival

It’s time to get ready for the evolution of a local food and wine festival. Locals Katrina Ryan and Megan Gallagher have launched Jackson Hole Food and Wine, with its inaugural festival this summer. The two friends, who share a passion for all things food and wine, hatched the idea with a desire to create a year-round culinary festival to benefit organizations in Jackson Hole. They have assembled a passionate team of partners, advisors and staff that are dedicated to making the festival a success. Here, than answer a few of our questions. (And stay tuned to their Facebook page, website and Instagram. Some early bird ticket sales begin March 15).

What is Jackson Hole Food and Wine?
Jackson Hole Food and Wine is a new nonprofit with the mission of producing an intimate and unique food and beverage festival that highlights our exceptional valley while giving back to our community.

Does this replace the Wine Auction?
We are excited to carry on the tradition of one of the Wine Auction’s signature events, Taste of Jackson Hole. We are also building an entirely new culinary festival, with a full weekend of events in June in addition to events throughout the year, including pop-up dinners, tastings, educational events, demonstrations and more. We will support different local organizations each year. For 2017, we will support Central Wyoming College Culinary and Hospitality program and also Hole Food Rescue, a local non-profit that distributes excess food from grocery stores, bakeries, farms and local businesses to organizations serving the at-risk, in-need residents of Teton County, WY.

Taste of Jackson Hole

Small bites prepared by Bill Boney of Dining in Catering for Taste of Jackson Hole in 2015.

What should we expect from the first year?
A variety of opportunities to taste many amazing wines, indulge in creative fare from local restaurants as well as James Beard award-winning guest chefs, sample local beers and distinctive cocktails, listen to live music and make new friends all well supporting worthy causes. This year we are flying in chefs Chris Shepherd of Underbelly and One Fifth Steak in Houston and Ryan Prewitt of Peche in New Orleans. Honored guest Pierre-Antoine Rovani, President of Remoissenet Père et Fils, a 13.5 hectare Burgundian estate and négociant house located in Beaun, will also be in Jackson Hole to share some special selections from his portfolio.

What is the lineup of events?
June 22 Taste of Jackson Hole, presented by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
June 23 Daytime: Big Wines, Small Plates presented by Fine Dining Restaurant Group
June 23 Evening: Dinner Series, there will be three unique pop-up dinners going on simultaneously with distinctive features and ticket prices
June 24 Savor the South: Celebrated chefs from Texas and Louisiana will collaborate with local restaurants to host an epic barbecue bash

Taste of Jackson Hole

What are your plans for the future?
We hope to offer an array of unique, fun and educational events that appeal to a wide variety of interests and at all price points. We will highlight local chefs, restaurants and producers of food, wine, beer and spirits in addition to inviting celebrated chefs, vintners and beverage producers as special guests.

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Cara Rank

Also originally from the South, Cara Rank discovered cooking was a creative outlet that helped her relax after long days writing magazine and newspaper articles during the past eight years in Jackson. Really, she just missed Southern food. A lot. During a 12-year career as a journalist, Cara has won numerous awards for her work and has written about everything from rodeo queens to Dolly Parton tomatoes. She spends her weekends making jars of pickles and jam and amazing dinners for friends. She loves shishito peppers, Chicago-style hot dogs and elderflower-spiked cocktails.