Headlining Culinary Talents For the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival

Prepare to indulge your senses and embark on a culinary journey as the Harvest Wine & Food Festival makes its highly anticipated return to WaterColor from October 17th to 20th. 

Celebrated as one of the Southeast’s premier wine and food events, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience, offering a feast for food lovers and wine connoisseurs alike. Below, we highlight the culinary headliners for the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival, ensuring this year’s event will leave you wanting more.

Talented Culinary Headliners:

Ignacio Bernal from Vin’tij Food + Wine in Miramar Beach, Florida

Vin’tij Food & Wine, a local favorite for over two decades, is known for its fresh seafood, creative menus, impressive wine boutique, and dedicated staff committed to enhancing patrons' dining experiences. They offer clean, high-quality food that pairs perfectly with an eclectic, unpretentious, and comfortable dining environment.

Chef Fleetwood Covington, III from Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood in Miramar Beach, Florida

As Seagar’s executive chef, Fleetwood directs food preparation and collaborates with the culinary team to produce high-quality plates, showcasing design and taste. Fleetwood started his culinary career at Hilton Sandestin in 2017, where he trained under the leadership of renowned chefs who came from fine dining backgrounds in the intimate setting of Seagar’s.

Chef Aubrey Craig from The Salty Butcher in WaterColor, Florida

Aubrey Craig, co-founder of The Salty Butcher, has helped create an independent, boutique butcher shop and wine bar dedicated to providing high-quality meats, deli sandwiches, cheeses, wines, and specialty products to the 30A community. Alongside his business partner Harrison Holditch, Aubrey focuses on supporting small, independent producers and sourcing from suppliers who prioritize ethical practices and environmental respect.

Chocolatiers Brent and Monique Evans from Indigenous Chocolate in Alys Beach, Florida

Brent and Monique Evans launched Indigenous Chocolate in Alys Beach, Florida, in November 2022 as the Florida Panhandle's only single-origin bean-to-bar and bean-to-bonbon chocolate company. What began 17 years ago as a casual hobby in their Baton Rouge kitchen has evolved into a passion for crafting exceptional micro-batch artisan chocolate, using the top 5-10% of conscientiously sourced cacao worldwide.

Pitmasters Jonathan & Justin Fox from Fox Bros Bar-B-Q in Atlanta, Georgia

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, owned and operated by twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox, is an award-winning barbecue restaurant known for its unique Southern-style barbecue infused with a Texas flair. They offer a mouthwatering selection of pulled pork, smoked brisket, and wings with original side dishes.

Chef Kristen Hall from The Essential and Bar La Fête in Birmingham, Alabama

Kristen serves as the Executive Pastry Chef and Co-Owner of The Essential, Bandit, and Bar La Fête. Her journey to culinary success is as unique as her sought-after creations, and she quickly emerged as a source of inspiration for aspiring bakers, chefs, and female entrepreneurs. She brings a creative edge to traditional baking, and her work is featured in an array of culinary and lifestyle publications.

Chef Coleman Jernigan from The Citizen in Alys Beach, Florida

Coleman Jernigan, Executive Chef of The Citizen, began his culinary journey alongside his sous chef mother. After a brief detour to study Legal and Political Science, he returned to his passion in New Orleans, gaining experience in baking and fine dining. Jernigan served as Executive Chef at Manhattanjack and Altamura Trattoria before co-owning Cypress restaurant in Pensacola. In 2020, he helped open The Citizen, where he now leads his team with years of experience and a commitment to mentoring and upholding the restaurant’s mission.

Chef Tyler Lyne from Ruche South in Birmingham, Alabama

Tyler, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and molecular gastronomy expert, was most recently the Inaugural Chef in Residence at Auburn’s Tony & Libba Rain Culinary Science Center. He has worked in Japan and at top restaurants like Bouley and Momofuku Ko before becoming Chef de Cuisine at La Esquina. Tyler later became a partner and Executive Chef at several catering companies, serving high-profile clients such as Nasdaq, Facebook, and the NFL. A partner in Bamboo Asia and Jalapa Jar, he was also named to ZAGAT’s "30 under 30" list of NYC culinary trail blazers.

Chef Duane Nutter from Southern National Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia

Award-winning chef Duane Nutter, co-creator of the James Beard-nominated One Flew South, brought his culinary vision to Mobile, Alabama, with Southern National. Inspired by fresh local ingredients, the restaurant quickly earned accolades, including a spot on the New York Times' top 50 restaurants list. In 2022, Nutter expanded Southern National to Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood and opened a new market at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Chef Lasheeda Perry from Queen fo Flavor in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Lasheeda Perry is the pastry chef and owner of Queen of Flavor, a dessert tasting room in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. With 19 years of experience in luxury hotels and restaurants, she now shares her passion for sophisticated desserts in her own space. A graduate of Johnson & Wales, Lasheeda has held Executive Pastry Chef roles at top establishments like Four Seasons and Bon Appetit Management. She has appeared on several Food Network shows and earned numerous accolades, including features in Food Network Magazine and Pastry Arts Magazine.

Jonathan Strietzel from Wine Chips

Jonathan Strietzel, an American entrepreneur and inventor, is best known for founding Wine Chips, a gourmet line of potato chips designed to pair with wine. Launched in 2019, Wine Chips now serves over 3,500 wineries, luxury stores, and hotels, with flavors like Cheese and Charcuterie. Previously recognized by Forbes for one of his startups, Jonathan brings his software expertise to Wine Chips, developing custom systems like the "Kraken" ERP and AI-driven technologies to optimize operations. His vision combines food, wine, and technology into a one-of-a-kind experience.

Chef Chris Trovas from Wild Olives in Seagrove, Florida

Chef Chris, a culinary expert with over three decades of experience, brings a wealth of mastery to the kitchen. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Chris is driven by a deep-rooted passion for delivering an exceptional dining experience rooted in family and community values. With an innate mastery of the art of wine pairing, Chris effortlessly orchestrates the delicate dance of flavors, unlocking the true potential of both the cuisine and the wine, resulting in an extraordinary dining experience that transcends expectations.

This event is not just about savoring exquisite flavors; it’s also about making a positive impact, as the festival is dedicated to raising funds for the Foundation’s partner children's charities.

Tickets for the 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival are available now! Secure yours here.

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024