Bites and booze: 3 takeaways from Wine & Food event at Waterfront Park

Attendees of The Courier Journal Wine & Food Experience represented an array of people: Wine lovers and bourbon drinkers. Those who prefer meat over seafood or savory over sweet.

There were planners, who marked this event on the calendar for weeks, and last-minute deciders, such as Kevin Wood.

Wood, who lives in downtown Louisville, said he was going to cross the bridge Saturday for lunch when he saw white tents set up in Waterfront Park. He changed his mind.

“It was serendipitous to come here,” Wood said. “My wife loves wine and I saw a sign for Michter's (Distillery).”

They were sold.

They joined the crowd of more than 1,000 event-goers, who were drawn to the event for simple reasons, as one patron put it: “Food and alcohol. What else do you need?”

There were plenty of unique bites and booze to be had at the Wine & Food Experience. Here’s a look at the happenings:

The new location

Since 2016, the Louisville stop on the USA Today Wine & Food Experience has been at Norton Commons in Prospect. The move to Waterfront Park seemed to be welcomed by guests such as Tyna Hughes.

“It’s mellow,” she said. “It’s like being on the beach.”

The river view paired nicely with rows of vendors and allowed space for people to spread out while strolling, sipping and stopping at tables for tastes.

At one table, four friends staked out a spot for “grazing and tasting,” said Ben Johnson. The table allowed plenty of room for their food trays. Johnson’s was wooden and decorated with stickers representing his college and favorite sports teams.

“I got tired of going back and forth,” Johnson, a private chef, said. “This is what happens when you’re a longtime hard core foodie.”

He and his wife, Tracy, have attended the event each year. They take turns critiquing food items and sampling drinks with their longtime friends, who traveled in from Cincinnati.

“It’s as much about the food and wine as it is the socializing,” Johnson said. “There’s a fun feel about it.”

The food

More than a dozen restaurants participated in the Wine & Food Experience, hoping to show off a unique food item or draw in new business.

Malone’s, a featured restaurant in the VIP lounge, offered samples of an herbed beef tenderloin.

“We wanted to showcase something different than what you find on the menu,” said Ryan Scherer, managing partner with Malone’s. “Louisville has a heck of a food scene. It makes you want to bring your A-game.”

Part of that field included Galaxie, which cooked up shrimp ceviche, Game’s antelope burgers, Brunch and Soul’s mini cups of shrimp-and-grits and Georgia Sweet Potato Pie Co.’s brownie bites.

From Red Yeti, diners could enjoy samples of chicken thigh confit. Executive chef Michael Bowe said he has made it a point to attend each year.

“Events like this keep people interested in restaurants in town,” he said. “It makes them excited to try things, because people here get to try things they absolutely wouldn’t get to try any other time.”

The sips

Along with well-known brands such as Jim Beam, Kendall Jackson and Castle and Key, there were plenty of booths pouring interesting sips.

Pivot Brewing, a Lexington-based brewery that opened its Louisville taproom in March, wanted to be part of the action. So Martin Svab, director of sales and marketing, put out a “cold call” to the organizers of Wine & Food Experience. That got Pivot the ticket to featuring their cider and beer on Saturday.

“Cider is a nice bridge between wine and beer,” Svab said. “Half the people know we exist and half the people are like, 'Who are you?' It’s a good way to get our name out there.”

Same goes for another newcomer: Coy Wine, a Louisville-owned wine company that launched in December 2022. Owner CeCoiya Johnson, dressed in a black top and red-sequined shorts, drew lots of buzz to her booth on Saturday while offering three wine options, including a moscato, sweet red and red blend. T-shirts reading “bold and beautiful” were also for sale.

“I want to let people know we’re a local brand they can support,” she said. “This is a great way to promote your brand and network.”

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bites and booze: 3 takeaways from Wine & Food event at Waterfront Park