BG’s Food and Wine Fest is one of their Big 3 Events (a term I just made up now–Food and Wine, Howl-O-Scream, and Christmas Town). Let’s look at what we know so far about the food, drinks, bands, and everything else.
The F&W Fest takes place on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) from February 29 – April 26. There is a bonus preview day for Pass Members only on February 28.
The Bands
Every day of the festival will be a free show from a band! Here’s the 2020 lineup:
- Collective Soul – February 29, 7:00pm
- The Commodores – March 1, 6:00pm
- Chase Bryant & Danielle Bradbery – March 7, 5:30pm
- Rachel Platten – March 8, 6:00pm
- Ezra Ray Hart – March 14, 7:00pm
- Three Dog Night – March 15, 6:00pm
- Locash – March 21, 7:00pm
- Fitz & The Tantrums – March 22, 6:00pm
- Home Free – March 28, 7:00pm
- Taking Back Sunday – March 29, 6:00pm
- Third Eye Blind – April 4, 7:00pm
- KC & The Sunshine Band – April 5, 6:00pm
- 38 Special – April 11, 7:00pm
- Micah Taylor & Austin French – April 12, 5:30pm
- Lee Brice – April 18, 7:00pm
- Clint Black – April 19, 6:00pm
- El Gran Combo – April 25, 7:00pm
- Toad The Wet Sprocket & The Verve Pipe – April 26, 5:30pm
You can get VIP seating starting at $34.99 a ticket which includes seating in the front rows, a 5-item sampler lanyard and a private entrance to the seating area (so you can go to the show just minutes before it starts).
I did the VIP seating for the Lynyrd Skynyrd show one year and it was an amazing experience.
The Food Cabins & Menus
The Butchery
- Hand Carved Espresso-Rubbed Beef Tenderloin served over White Truffle Mash
- Artisan Fries cooked in Duck Fat with Parmesan and White Truffle Aioli
- Achiote-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Plantain Mash and Chimchurri
Sweet Sips
- Handmade Cannoli Italian pastry, filled with handmade Cannoli Cream, Chocolate Chips and Pistachios
- Hummingbird Cupcake Traditional Southern Cupcake with Pineapple, Banana and Nuts
Nola Eats
- Red Beans & Rice with Sausage
- Chicken Gumbo Creole Flavored Stew with Chicken and Andouille Sausage over Rice
- Bananas Foster Cheesecake Sweet and smooth Banana Cheesecake made with Infused Bananas and a Rum Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream
Southern Kitchen
- Southern Fried Chicken & Biscuit with Bourbon Blackberry Jam
- Blackened Catfish Pan-Seared Blackened Catfish served over Sweet Corn Pudding
- Shrimp & Grits – Shrimp Sautéed in Seasoned Butter, Over Southern Style Cheese Grits
Seasonally Inspired
- Impossible Sliderwith Fresh Pico de Gallo and Guacamole
- Charcuterie Salad Roasted Tomatoes, Country Olives, Cured Meats & Cheeses
- Avocado Toast – Thick-Cut Ciabatta Bread with Fresh Smashed Avocado, Red Radishes, Green Onions and Marinated Tomatoes
Hog Heaven
- Kung Pao Ribs – Slow Roasted Ribs, tossed in Kung Pao Sauce
- Charred Brussels Sprouts With a Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
- Maple Bacon Cinnamon Roll – Soft, sweet Cinnamon Roll with crispy and sweet Crumbled Bacon and topped with Maple Cream
- “Boujee” Bacon – Applewood Smoked Bacon brushed with a Maple Season Blend
Heartland
- Homemade Bacon Mac & Cheese – Four-Cheese Sauce topped with Bacon
- Bison Slider With a sweet and spicy Bacon Onion Jam
- Griddled Cheese Cake Handheld – Griddled Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Filling and topped with Raspberry Coulis
West Coast Catch
- Baja Fish Tacos – Beer Battered Fish topped with Citrus Slaw, Crema Fresca and Cotija Cheese
- Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocado – Avocado filled with Seasoned Shrimp, Red Onions, Celery, Peppers and Cilantro-Lime Aioli
- Sesame Crusted Tuna – Wakame Salad with Sweet Thai Chili and topped with Peach Sauce and Crispy Wonton
Wave Shack
- Shrimp Bacon Fritters – Fluffy Fritters fried to a Golden Brown with Key Lime Aioli
- Fried Clams – Crispy and tender Fried Clams with Tangy Yuzu Remoulade
- Key Lime Pie Waffle Cone
Chef’s Corner
- Pork Belly Taco – Crispy Pork Belly, Kimchi Slaw and Mango Salsa
- Arroz con Pollo – Sautéed Adobo-Seasoned Chicken with Sofrito, Avocado and Platanutres
- Pork Tenderloin with Champagne Watercress Sauce – Seared Pork Tenderloin with a velvety Champagne Watercress Sauce
Coke Fusion
- Cherry Coke® Pulled Pork Slider – Slow-Braised BBQ Pulled Pork, Fried Onions and Slider Bun
- Sticky Coke® Wings – Fried Chicken Wings, Tossed in a Sticky Coke® Sauce
- Coke Infused Chocolate Cupcake Topped with Pop Rocks Candy
The Cantina
- Short Rib & Cheddar Tostadas – Tender Braised Short Rib with Peppers, Onions, Fresh Pico and Sour Cream
- Grilled Shrimp Elote – Shaved off the Cob, Fire-Roasted Street Corn, Lime Shrimp, Spicy Crema and Cheese
- Pork Tamale – Soft “Masa”, Perfectly Seasoned Pork, Salsa Roja, Crema and Cotija Cheese
Garden Gate Café
- Grilled Skirt Steak Flatbread Fresh Chimichurri Pesto
- Fig and Cheese Flatbread – Fig Preserves, Baby Arugula, Caramelized Onions, Goat and Mozzarella Cheese
- Caprese Salad – Baby Heirloom Tomatoes with Bocconcini Cheese, Basil, Balsamic Glaze and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Berry Nice
- Strawberry Shortcake Sundae – Vanilla Ice Cream served with Pound Cake and fresh Strawberries in glaze
- Strawberry Shortcake Thrill Shake – Strawberry Shake topped with Pound Cake, Strawberry Sauce, Whipped Cream and a fresh Strawberry
In order to sample the treats, you need to buy Sampler Lanyard from the BG website. I assume you can pay cash / card at the cabins, but the lanyard will undoubtedly be the most cost-efficient way to sample the goodies.
The Food & Wine Festival is a great experience every year and I hope you decide to get out there!
