Starting Thursday, January 26th, Sun Wine & Food Fest (SWFF) is back at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT for its nineteenth year. Sponsored by household brands like Bacardi and Beam Suntory, the four-day festival features “best-of-the-best” vintages, chef-approved cocktails, and signature dishes (with a side of hand-rolled cigar and Cognac snifter).
Several (photo) opportunities to meet favorite celebrity chefs and personalities are guaranteed, too. “Hey, Cake Boss!” See event details and daily lineup of eats, entertainment and more, below.
19th Annual Sun Wine & Food Fest Details
Dates: Thursday, January 26th to Sunday, January 29th, 2023
Locations: Uncas Ballroom, Earth Expo & Convention Center, and dining concepts across Mohegan Sun at 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382
Tickets: Available online via Ticketmaster and in-person at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Must be 21+ to attend.
Thursday, January 26th
TAO Japanese Whisky Dinner, where top-shelf Japanese whisky is poured and paired with a savory three-course meal over two seatings (5:00pm and 6:30pm) at Chef Chris Santos’ TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge.
The Todd English Experience, where James Beard Award Winner Todd English will take on hosting duties at his Tuscany concept for just one evening. Craft cocktail hour followed by a seated 6:30pm dinner; live show by Alt-Rock guitarist Marc Roberge of O.A.R. and chef meet-and-greet will be mixed in as well.
Ferrand Cognac & Cigar Pairing, an exclusive tasting of renowned French Cognacs: Pierre Ferrand – aged in the center of the Grande Champagne region of France. Guests can chat with an expert and receive a perfectly paired Macanudo cigar of their choice of Cognac.
Friday, January 27th
TAO Sake and Dim Sum Pairing, an educational tasting combining sake and dim sum at TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge. Walk away with valuable insights and tips from field experts employed by Worldwide Wines.
Beam & Burgers presented by Beam Suntory, Inc., where chefs Chad Rosenthal and Mike Puma of Gotham Burger Social Club will team up with Beam Suntory, Inc., serving juicy burgers and premium whisk(e)y in the Earth Ballroom, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Live entertainment and cigars made convenient.
Grand Tasting Preview, a sneak peak of SWFF’s largest showcase, offering samples of beer, wine and spirits, plus delectable bites from a few top restaurants of the Northeast. Guests get an early peek at celebrity chefs showing off their skills. Discounted tickets available for designated drivers.
Spirits & Cigars presented by Mohegan Sun’s Barrel Select Program, a pairing session from 9:00pm to 11:00pm in Clay Pipe Cigar Bar with Whiskey Guardians behind Angel’s Envy, highlighting Mohegan Sun’s limited Barrel Select Program. Cruzan Rum, Breckenridge, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek and Patrón Tequila will be poured alongside Macanudo cigars, too.
Toast with the Host: Sun Wine & Food Fest Edition, where Loverboy Sparkling Hard Tea and Premium Canned Cocktails founders and stars of Bravo’s Summer House, Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula host (and toast) from behind the novelle bar from 9:00pm to 11:00pm. Here’s to fun in the sun – clink.
Saturday, January 28th
Grand Tasting, a dazzling debut of over 1,000 varieties of wine, beer and spirits, plus tasty bites from highly rated restaurants, and two culinary stages for a day (from noon to 5:00pm) of celebrity chef demonstrations in the Earth Expo & Convention Center.
Vintage Cru, where chefs Rocco DiSpirito and Christian Petroni will be on hand to discuss the “best-of-the-best” vintages next to the global winemakers and principles behind them. Bottles are available for purchase with shipment directly to your home. Each guest in attendance will also receive a $50.00 iGourmet gift card at the conclusion of the event. Who’s in?
Exclusive Pappy Van Winkle Tasting, a premium tasting with the most sought-after bourbons of Pappy Van Winkle, including the 10 Year, 12 Year, 15 Year, 20 Year, and 23 Year. The complimentary “in-house” Macanudo cigar will be infused with Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, FYI.
Celebrity Chef Dine Around, a trademark walk-around event in the Uncas Ballroom, letting guests witness the world’s most talented chefs at work. Over 20 famous chefs – spotlight Esther Choi, Amanda Freitag, and Michael Symon – will personally “dish out” a distinctive meal matched with either beer, wine or spirit (of their liking). DJ Irie will set the nightly vibe for the most thrilling event at the annual festival.
Celebrity Chef After-Party presented by J Vineyards & Winery, a Saturday night out in celebration of SWFF at Avalon Nightclub, featuring DJ Irie (and surprise special guests).
Doors open at 10:00pm with a cover charge. All guests must be 21+.
Sunday, January 29th
Bloodys & Brunch With Buddy, where the famed Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro will close out SWFF, from 10:00am to 12:00pm, with sweet and savory brunch bites and “over-the-top” Bloody Marys.
