By Doug Hare EBS STAFF
BIG SKY — Dozens of resort guests and Montana locals were treated to a gastronomic extravaganza from Aug. 15-18 at Big Sky Resort. The sixth annual Vine & Dine Festival attracted foodies, oenophiles, spirit connoisseurs and bon vivants who spent four days rubbing elbows with master sommeliers, top culinary talent and prestigious winemakers from around the world.
Featuring
dinners, wine tastings, wine and cheese pairings and talks from Chef Scott
Giambastiani, Kent Torrey from the Cheese Shop of Carmel, CA, and
world-renowned Master Sommeliers Fred Dame and Jay Fletcher set against the
backdrop of a late summer Lone Mountain, even Dionysus, the Greek god of wine
and festivity, would have been impressed.
Highlights
of the event included “Pinot on the Peak,” a wine and food tasting on the
summit of Lone Mountain; The “Master’s Dinner,” a five course meal (prepared by
Giambastiani himself) with exquisite wine pairings chosen by Dame and Fletcher
hosted at Everett’s 8800, and “Cheese & Wine…One Stinky Good Time,” which
explored the art of pairing fine wine and cheese. Big Sky Resort’s Master Chef
Sunil Malhotra reported that his favorite activity was the speakeasy event.
“This
is our sixth year since starting Vine & Dine in Big Sky. I feel this was
the best event to date. The resort did a great job in pulling off an immersive,
fun and impactful community event, drawing guests from around the country,”
said Scott Giambastiani, Food Program Director for Google, who has participated
in the event since its inception.
Kudos
to Master Sommeliers Fred Dame, Jay Fletcher and Kent Torrey for making this an
unforgettable destination event. I look forward to working alongside these
gentlemen year after year.”
Giambastiani
noted that he is proud to continue to collaborate with ProStart students during
the festival, taking time to help mentor tomorrow’s culinary talent. Besides
the scenery, the underlying mission of helping a handful of Montana high school
students get a jump-start in the world of culinary arts is what brings him back
to Big Sky year after year, he said.
This
year, six Prostart students were exposed firsthand to high-end food and wine,
the knowledge of famous sommeliers and the talents of master chefs.
Giambastiani said he finds it rewarding that he’s been able to help Prostart
students who participated in the event in the past find jobs as food industry
professionals.
“I
thought the event went as smooth as a baby’s [bottom] this year. This was by
far the best one yet,” said Sunil Malhotra, after winning the long putt
competition in the 9-hole golf tournament at a festive brunch and Bloody Mary
tasting at The Bunker Deck & Grill to close out what seemed like a
gourmand’s dream. “I think I might go take a nap.”
