Wine + Food Experience celebrating local chefs and restaurants kicks off in Detroit

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read

The USA Today Wine + Food Experience, last seen in Detroit at Campus Martius in 2019, is kicking off its 2023 tour in the city. The event celebrating cuisine from local restaurants takes place Aug. 12 on Belle Isle.

The culinary tour, which runs from August through November, is headed to a dozen cities, including Louisville, Kentucky; Naples, Florida; and Phoenix, Arizona.

The event is presented by USA Today Network Ventures, a division of Gannett Co., owner of the Detroit Free Press.

Detroit's Wine + Food event is sponsored by MGM Grand Detroit and will take place noon-4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 1-4 p.m. for general admission ticket holders at Belle Isle's Cricket Field.

A selection of nigiri from Adachi, one of this year's Wine + Food Experience participants.
A selection of nigiri from Adachi, one of this year's Wine + Food Experience participants.

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The afternoon will find attendees sampling signature dishes prepared by some of metro Detroit’s top chefs and restaurants, emerging talent and culinary leaders. Everything from fine dining establishments to vegan and vegetarian restaurants will be represented. Premier wine, beer and spirits from mixologists and sommeliers will also be showcased.

Throughout the afternoon there will be live demonstrations and music. More than a dozen restaurants and wine purveyors are participating.

General admission tickets are $50 in advance and $65 the day of the event. The ticket includes a tasting cup and unlimited food and beverage samples while supplies last.

An Ultimate Experience VIP ticket is $85 in advance and $100 the day of the event. The VIP ticket includes early access at noon, a tasting cup, access to the VIP Lounge and unlimited food and beverage samples.

A package of five alcoholic beverage samples is $10 and will be available on-site only. You can buy tickets at wineandfood.usatoday.com. To enter Belle Isle, a recreation pass is required. For information on passes, go to belleislenaturecenter.detroitzoo.org.

Chef Jared Bobkin is the culinary director for Ventures Events.
Chef Jared Bobkin is the culinary director for Ventures Events.

Metro Detroit native and executive chef Jared Bobkin is the culinary director for Ventures Events and all the tour stops. Bobkin has worked at and helped open several southeast Michigan restaurants, including Feast in Chesterfield. He also competed and finished fourth on season 15 of Fox’s "Hell’s Kitchen."

Sushi from Table No. 2, one of this year's Wine + Food Experience participants.
Sushi from Table No. 2, one of this year's Wine + Food Experience participants.

Here’s the list of participating restaurants:

Bon Bon Bon

Cacao Tree Cafe

Good Cakes and Bakes

Host Utica

Kaleidoscope Catering

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que

Adachi Restaurant (VIP ticket required)

Coeur

Hazel’s

Madam at The Daxton Hotel

Mongers’ Provisions

Pie Collective by Achatz

The Great Commoner

ImaginATE Restaurant

Table No. 2 Restaurant

Fried Chicken and Caviar

Indigo Culinary Co

IVY Kitchen + Cocktails

The Jamaican Pot

Noble Fish (VIP ticket required)

Janna Kay Charcuterie

R&B Charcuterie

M Cantina

D. Prime Steakhouse

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wine + Food Experience coming to Detroit: What to know