15th Anniversary Celebrates Gulf Coast to Global Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair Showcases Melting Pot of Cuisines and Talent

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, January 18, 2018 – The 15th anniversary of the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair four-day schedule slated for April 4 – 8, 2018, will celebrate Gulf Coast to global foods, cultures and traditions. Expected to be the largest in its history, the event will feature award-winning talent, master sommeliers, mixologists, themed events and expansive new venues. Tickets can be purchased beginning Monday, January 22 at SugarLandWineandFoodAffair.com.

Time and a myriad of cultural and agricultural influences have long impacted both Sugar Land and the expansive Gulf Coast, a wide swath of geography rooted in American history and lore. With Sugar Land tracing its history from a Mexican land grant to Stephen F. Austin, widely known as the “Father of Texas,” Austin lured early settlers with his tales of abundance. The vast open prairies, rich fertile soil and warm coastal breezes made for ideal growing conditions. The area attracted people from around the world, resulting in a food history that reflects cultures and traditions, as well as hyper-local ingredients woven into recipes handed down by generations.

CROSSROADS of CUISNES

Sugar Land is today recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the nation and represents a wonderful melting pot of nationalities, cultures and international influences. Gulf Coast states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida – have become a convergence of culinary brilliance that has defined a new food index. From Pho to French and cowboy to crawdads, acclaimed chefs and home cooks alike are breaking all the boundaries with curated ingredients and techniques fueling a high-spirited and playful approach to food and cooking.

This year’s Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair will dazzle attendees with new events, interactive learning demonstrations, an expanded talent roster of chefs from the region and the return of chef alumni and the popular Bistro Brunch, which will again close out the food-palooza.

The event continues its metamorphosis with new attractions and more top-shelf wines and spirits while also celebrating its traditions such as the Grand Tasting and Sip & Stroll. The Sip & Stroll and Bistro Brunch have found a new home at the verdant Brazos River Park, a 67-acre park along the banks of the Brazos River.

Founded in 2003 by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce (FBCC), the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair has grown to include multiple events from downtown Sugar Land to this year’s new location at Brazos River Park. Profits benefit a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

 

“The simple fact that this is our 15th year makes our 2018 event all the sweeter,” said Keri Schmidt, president and CEO of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. “To have been a part of this since the beginning and to see how it has grown has been a treat. The stars of the culinary world have and will continue to shine bright right here in Sugar Land!”

Events

Wednesday, April 4th

Dinner:  One if by Land, Two if by Sea – $125

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sugar Land Heritage Museum • Sugar Land

Thursday, April 5th

Fare On the Square: Sipping & Shopping Spree through Town Square – FREE

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sugar Land Town Square • Sugar Land 

Bar Fight!: Street Food Bites and Bartenders Challenge – $40

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Sugar Land Town Square • Sugar Land

Friday, April 6th 

The Grand Tasting – $125

7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Sugar Land Marriott Town Square • Sugar Land

Saturday, April 7th

Sip & Stroll – $65

3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Brazos River Park • Sugar Land

Sunday, April 8th

Bistro Brunch – $65

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Brazos River Park • Sugar Land

VIP WEEKEND PASS – $200 (Bartenders Challenge, The Grand Tasting, Sip & Stroll, Bistro Brunch)

STAY AND PLAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE – see website

FOR TICKETS, the complete line-up of events and more information, please visit SugarLandWineandFoodAffair.com.

ABOUT SUGAR LAND WINE & FOOD AFFAIR

Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair (SLWAFA), founded in 2003 by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce (FBCC), was designed to create a cultural food and beverage experience while showcasing the growing City of Sugar Land. Since inception, the annual spring event has been produced by the FBCC and has benefitted a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

In 2017, SLWAFA partnered with IWSC Group North America, a globally-recognized events company, to expand and enrich the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair weekend. Through this partnership, the weekend will expand its focus on celebrating the local flavors and international influences of greater Fort Bend by bringing both regional and national talent to tell their stories through food and beverage. We are excited for the opportunity to have you join us!

ABOUT IWSC

Headquartered in the UK, the IWSC Group is a globally-recognized events company dedicated to delighting, inspiring and connecting people and brands through great experiences.  The company’s portfolio features events in the UK, Hong Kong and the US, including the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition. In 2015, the company launched a North American division, which now includes the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Cochon555, NYC Craft Beer Festival, Spirits of Mexico, Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair, The Whisky Extravaganza, Whiskies of the World and Wine Riot. For more information, visit http://www.iwscgroup.com/.

ABOUT THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND

The City of Sugar Land is an award-winning community 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. This master-planned community has achieved its sustainable, strong local economy through a strategically focused and aggressive economic development program creating new wealth and jobs. As a regional employment center, the City is home to numerous high-profile regional and international corporations housed in more than 25 million square feet of commercial space, including Minute Maid, United Healthcare, Texas Instruments, Schlumberger, Fluor Corporation, Noble Drilling Services, Inc., Bechtel EO and Aetna.

Sugar Land has also uniquely positioned itself as a hub for premium shopping, dining and entertainment. Venues such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, Constellation Field, the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land live indoor entertainment venue and Sugar Land Heritage Museum further establish the community as a cultural and historical destination.