Destination Kohler Announces Headlining Talent and Ticket Sales for Kohler Food&Wine, October 20-23

Published
09/20/2022 by

Destination Kohler is proud to announce the headlining talent for this year's Kohler Food & Wine. On August 9th, guests can purchase tickets for the Midwest's premier epicurean event, which kicks off Thursday, October 20th and extends throughout the weekend with cooking demos, educational sessions, tastings, luncheons, evening soirées and live music. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from some of the country's most innovative chefs, wine experts and restaurateurs.

The four-day extravaganza will feature demonstrations and tastings on the Culinary Stages with distinct culinary and winemaking icons, including:  

  • Tom Colicchio – Chef and owner of Crafted Hospitality with fine dining establishments on the east and west costs as well as 'wichcraft,' a sandwich and salad fast casual concept. Colicchio is Head Judge on Bravo's "Top Chef and is a passionate food activist and "Citizen Chef" who advocates for a food system that values access, affordability, and nutrition over corporate interests. He also was a headlining chef at the first Kohler Food & Wine event 21 years ago!
  • Esther Choi – Chef & owner of mŏkbar, mŏkbar Brooklyn and Ms. Yoo; Choi is driven by her Korean roots and inspired by the age-old technique of her Korean grandmother's cooking. Her cooking combines traditional and modern influences with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
  • David Rose – Food Network TV personality, Executive Chef/Spokesperson for Omaha Steaks and Cookbook author. Rose appeared as a finalist on Food Network Star (Season 13) and continues to be a culinary ambassador for multiple national brand
  • Ronnie Woo – Chef and owner of The Delicious Cook in Los Angeles, an LA-based private chef company that specializes in five-star dining experiences. Woo is a television personality known across multiple media platforms and the author of his much-anticipated debut cookbook, Did You Eat Yet?, set to be released in March 2023. 
  • Sherry Yard – 3x James Beard Award Winner, owner of the Bakery by the Yard, Award Winning Cookbook Author – Secrets of Baking – Desserts by the Yard. Yard has worked to craft masterful breads, open new restaurants, and is known for mentoring chefs around the world.
  • Derrell Smith – Former NFL athlete turned chef, Smith is the host of Tastemade's hit show "Mad Good Food" where he shows viewers the value of not only cooking for those you love, but also cooking for yourself.
  • Grace Ramirez – Chef, activist, cookbook author, and broadcaster; Ramirez understands that food is culture and shares the nourishing traditions of vibrant and comforting Latin American cuisines, and her unique mix of the traditional and adventurous is what makes her kitchen the heart of any community.
  • "America's Test Kitchen" – The top-rated cooking show on public television will be represented by cast members: Chief Creative Officer Jack Bishop, Executive Editorial Director and co-host Bridget Lancaster and Executive Editorial Editor and co-host Julia Collin Davison.
  • The Bartolotta Group - The Bartolotta Restaurants is a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization co-founded by restaurateur Joe Bartolotta and his brother, two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolotta. Participating Bartolotta Restaurants include Mr. B's – A Bartolotta Steakhouse, Brookfield, Mr. B's –A Bartolotta Steakhouse, MequonJoey Gerard's – A Bartolotta Supper Club, Harbor House.

Kohler Food & Wine will proudly feature more than 500 wines and 60 spirits, and appearances by winemakers, owners and representatives from some of the country's greatest wineries, including Cakebread Cellars, Duckhorn Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Dry Creek Vineyard, St. Francis Vineyards & Winery, Villa Sandi, and unique labels from Vine Connections.

"We're excited to announce the details of our annual Kohler Food & Wine for 2022," said Jenna Check, Associate Director of Special Events at Kohler. "This year's event will be a celebratory experience where guests can connect with our unique community in an exciting and fun atmosphere. In addition to our stellar celebrity chef line-up to be showcased on the Culinary Stages, our continued partnership with The Bartolotta Restaurant Group will offer unique new programming, and our skilled vineyard principals and owners will feature the 'best in class' in their wine and spirit portfolios to attendees," she shared.

New and signature wine and spirits experiences will round out this year's culinarian event, including the Beer and Wine Garden. The garden will provide a place for guests to enjoy classic Wisconsin beers, or one of the available selections of the popular Underwood wine, in a relaxing atmosphere. The Beer and Wine Garden will feature live music, daily. Guests can purchase tickets to the Beer and Wine Garden experience on-site in exchange for libations, no ticket pre-purchase available.

Also new to this year's celebrations is the Edrington's Nineteenth Hole, offering the best of cocktailing and golf when the Edrington Spirits team takes over the Kohler Swing Studio. This exclusive, interactive, and educational event allows guests to partake in Edrington brand tastings, an Old-Fashioned cocktail preparation, delicious bites and fun activities including table games and use of the Swing Studio golf simulators. Guests will have a chance to participate in the closest to the pin contest to win a logoed golf bag; additional chances available for purchase onsite, benefiting Lakeshore Trout Unlimited.

The signature Food & Wine HUB and The Seeker: Your Passport to Wine are back! The HUB offers a dedicated, central gathering area where all event attendees can connect with family and friends while enjoying libations. Wine loving guests can explore the grounds of Destination Kohler through The Seeker: Your Passport to Wine, a wine-guided tour unlike any other. Guests who purchase this add-on to their event tickets will enjoy the opportunity to sample four different offerings from The Seeker fine wines at four different locations.

Food & Wine HUB and Beer and Wine Garden beverage tickets will be available for purchase on-site.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AUGUST 9th

Starting August 9th, tickets for Kohler Food & Wine Event will be available for purchase. Destination Kohler – the Midwest's only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond resort-hotel – will serve as the stunning backdrop for this event. For more information on festival programming, visit www.KohlerFoodandWine.com. Stay up to date on resort news and happenings on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

For more programming information and ticket purchases, please visit DestinationKohler.com.