Dear Reader: Meet Traverse City Food & Wine. The milestone celebration of local flavors debuted in 2025 to showcase the bounty of the region’s rich agriculture, craft, and creativity. This year, it’s all happening August 19-23: The perfect way to sunset your summer season. Through a series of curated events, guests are invited to indulge in bold bites from renowned chefs and restaurants, sip on local wines and craft beverages, try foods that are distinctly “up north”, and learn from chefs, winemakers, and experts. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan, Traverse City Food & Wine serves up a feast for all five senses.
The itinerary includes more than 60 events throughout the week, highlighting everything that makes the Northern Michigan culinary scene special, from wine tastings to curated dinners to farm tours. Traverse City Food & Wine is designed to highlight the talent that calls this place home, elevated by appearances from guest chefs from around the region and around the country. Part of the event’s allure is the star-studded guest list that brings new perspectives to the iconic local ingredients.
This year’s culinary talent will include:
- Aarti Sequeria – television personality, best known as the winner of the sixth season of Food Network’s reality television show and host of Aarti Party on Food Network
- Traverse City’s James Beard Award semifinalists for “Best Chef: Great Lakes”, Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson from the cook’s house, Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart of Modern Bird in Traverse City, and Myles Anton of Trattoria Stella
- Martin Sorge, winner of The Great American Baking Show and cookbook author
- Afrim Pristine – Canada’s premier cheese master and host of the television show, Cheese: A love story
- Ruth Reichl – food critic, PBS television host and producer, and former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine
- Sarah Welch – James Beard Award semifinalists for “Best Chef: Great Lakes”, Top Chef competitor, and restaurateur
- Omar Anani – James Beard nominee, Food Network Chopped Champion, chef and restaurateur
- Abra Berens – James Beard-nominated chef and author, advocate for Equitable Food Systems
- Ji Hye Kim – James Beard nominee, Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs and restaurateur
If TC Food & Wine were an oyster, The Grand Tasting would be the pearl. On Saturday, August 22, the main event will take place with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the iconic downtown area. The Grand Tasting features live cooking demonstrations, conversations with experts, and endless food, wine, craft beverages and art vendors. Come hungry and leave happy!
Other activities include:
- James Beard Foundation Dinner – Wednesday, August 19
- National Writers Series conversations with Ruth Reichl and Martin Sorge – Thursday, August 20, and Friday August 21
- Wine-tasting and wine-pairing classes
- Wine-themed sailing excursions and culinary cruises on the bay
- Cooking classes and demos
- Farm tours, wine tours, and more…
Finding your home away from home is easy here. With over 5,000 guest rooms in the area, you have your pick between urban chic, beachy charm, woodsy comfort, BnB getaway, vineyard vacation, and even pet-friendly options.
The coastal haven of Traverse City has built upon rich agricultural roots to become a coveted foodie destination. Traverse City Food & Wine celebrates that heritage with local ingredients, cool-climate wines, events to savor, and the best moments of summer at your fingertips. While you’re visiting, be sure to check out the hillside vineyards, eclectic shops, pristine beaches, lush trails, and everything else that makes the “pinky” of the mitten state unique. Tickets for TC Food & Wine go on sale on May 20th.
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