Palm Beach – Wyndham Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino’s Director of Food and Beverage Franz Sydow just released the complete upcoming festival program. The first annual Aruba Wine and Arts Culinary Festival will take place at the Aruba Wyndham Resort Spa & Casino May 19th through the 22nd, 2005. The festival will combine great food and wine with a major art exhibit, two seminars, a trade show, a jazz jam, and a rock concert.
The following is the complete festival program:
Thursday, May 19th
- Press conference, for local and international press in the Buena Vista Room, with Aruba’s Minister of Tourism Edison Briesen and Wyndham General Manager Rob Smith. Also present are local personalities destined to help make the festival happen: Ronald van Hasenbroek, the Captain of Aruba National Culinary Team, Wyndham’s Executive Chef Gerard Coste, and local celebrity chefs Vittorio Muscariello of Hostaria Da Vittoroi’s, Eduard Ellis from Papiamento, and Jim Rooseman with Chez Mathilde, who are in charge of the culinary firecrackers. Fern Pochettino, representing the Aruba Gastronomic Association, and Rona Coster, curater of a major Art Exhibit, will also share their bold plans with visitors.
- Dinner prepared by local celebrity chefs, each of them in charge of producing one course, making their signature dish. The evening is hosted by the Wyndham at the Pago Pago restaurant. Wine sponsor TBS. Dinner is open to the public - 100 persons, fixed menu at US $ 85.00 + 15%, for a 5-course feast accompanied by wines. Introductions by Franz Sydow, music accompaniment by Victor Camacho. The dinner preparation process will be filmed and shown during dinner. Special VIPs: celebrity French chef Laurent Cantineaux, the Minister Tourism, and resort owner Alfonso Riverol.
Friday, May 20th
- Trade Show organized by Aruba Trading Company for wineries with restaurants and hotels, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Wyndham ballroom.
- Barry Wiss, Senior Director of Education and Hospitality, Trinchero Family Estates will present his “Tasting Roulette” in English at the Buena Vista room at 4 p.m.
- Private art exhibition with live music in the ballroom foyer, 6 p.m. by Aruba’s artist community.
- Public art exhibition with champagne reception in ballroom foyer, 7:30 p.m.
- Gala Dinner hosted by the National Culinary Team. Wine sponsor: Franciscan Estate Wineries – Estancia, Monterrey, Simi, Alexander Valley, Ravenswood, Sonoma, Poolside. Dinner is open to the public - 100 persons, US $ 85.00 + 17%. The culinary team will be introduced via specially recorded video footage. They will prepare a 4-course feast, 2 appetizers, 1 entrée, 1 dessert accompanied by wines. The evening includes an after dinner Jazz Jam session with cigars and cognac.
*Music from the 70s, 80s & 90s will be offered at Cabaret Royale, $ 20.00 cover charge, after 10:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.
Saturday, May 21st
- Wine tasting and art exhibition are open to the public in the foyer of ballroom, 12 noon to 6 p.m.
AGA Trade Show is open to public, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Afls 30 admission. Each AGA restaurant will offer one menu item nicely paired with wine for an unforgettable culinary experience.
- Govert van der Hout, Arion Wines will discuss “Upsell” to promote wine sales in English in the ballroom from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Clive Faustin, Wine Barrel, “Introduction to Wine” in Papiamento, in the ballroom from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Gala Dinner with Chef Laurent Cantineaux featuring French-Caribbean specialties, 7:30 p.m., hosted by the Wine Club of Aruba. Wine sponsor: Moet Chandon champagne, in the ballroom, open to the public $115.00 + 17%. A tribute to Freddy Mercury will be featured after dinner, 10 p.m. to midnight, in form of a live concert.
The first annual Aruba Wine & Arts Culinary Festival is quickly shaping up as a major attraction for visitors and locals.
