While film festivals are common throughout the world, the Okanagan Food & Wine Film Festival is bringing an innovative concept to the table – literally! Held September 13-15th at the Rotary Centre’s Mary Irwin Theatre, the films for this festival will all have a common theme – food and/or wine. And to add interest and fun to the festival, ticket holders will dine and drink what they see on the screen!
An exciting lineup of award winning food and wine documentaries are scheduled over the weekend including the much talked-about master sommelier exam film, ‘SOMM’. This audience favourite is the gala opening film of the Okanagan Food and Wine Film Festival. Ticket holders will be greeted with bubbly and following the documentary, a wine tasting and cocktail reception will be hosted with some of the award winning wineries and restaurants in the valley: RauDZ Regional Table, Grapevine Restaurant at Gray Monk Winery, Codfathers Seafood Market, Mission Hill and decadent treats from Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate. ‘SOMM’ will be introduced and hosted by Ingo Grady, Director of Wine Education, Mission Hill Family Estate.
Other feature documentaries include ‘Betting the Farm’, which follows 10 dairy farmers who, after losing their contracts with the big milk company in Maine, are left with two choices: quit farming or find a new way to do business. “A Matter of Taste’ tells the story of a young, talented, perfectionist chef as he wins and loses it all. ‘The Restaurateur’ shares the highs and lows of New York restaurant owner, Danny Meyer as he conceives, develops and builds his lauded restaurant, Eleven Madison Park.
Of special note is the documentary ‘Pressure Cooker’, a film that challenges the kind of place one would typically expect to find the next culinary talent – a high school in Philadelphia. Culinary Arts teacher, Wilma Stephenson, believes that she can change the lives of her students, many of whom are living in broken homes, suffering abuse and experiencing financial challenges, by helping them to win a scholarship to the country’s top culinary arts institutions. This multi award-winning film will be introduced and hosted by Chef Geoffrey Couper, Culinary Arts Instructor at Okanagan College. Following the screening will be a question and answer session with some of the valley’s top chefs – Rod Butters, Bernard Casavant and Roger Planiden. Tickets for Pressure Cooker are available exclusively through the film festival office at Christina@okfoodwinefilmfest.com. Culinary students, classes and those interested in a culinary career are encouraged to attend.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons of the festival are dedicated to ‘Small Bites’ or short films. Embracing the theme of the festival, these documentaries are about perogies, maple syrup, oysters, bacon and other mouth-watering treats. These films are also followed by food and wine tastings inspired by the food and beverage ‘stars’ of the film.
Organizers Christina Ferreira, Impact Events and Alison Love, Spatula Media + Communications are excited to introduce this innovative event in the Okanagan – home to a growing culinary tourism industry, food fans and film buffs.
For more information about the films and to purchase tickets visit www.okfoodwinefilmfest.com
