Wine and dine at FVCC’s Festival of Flavors

by Daily Inter Lake
| October 2, 2020 12:00 AM

Fall flavors go well beyond the much-beloved pumpkin spice and this weekend, locals will have the opportunity to expand their palettes at the 13th annual Fall Festival of Flavors hosted by Flathead Valley Community College. The event includes a series of socially distanced, limited-seating events around the Flathead Valley that showcase the talents of local and regional chefs, as well as students from the Culinary Institute of Montana and the Brewing Academy of Montana. Proceeds help fund student scholarships.

A champagne brunch Sunday, Oct. 4, featuring live music by violinist Wai Mizutani kicks off the festival.

Throughout the remainder of the week, patrons can sample delicacies such as Alaskan Sea Scallops braised with oxtails, saltimbocca alla Romana with truffle oil polenta, along with choice wine pairings and desserts.

The festival concludes Oct. 10 with the Grand Wine Online. This year, instead of gathering in person, guests are invited to participate in a virtual event and auction. There is no charge to attend the Grand Wine Online. To register, visit fvcc.edu/festival or text the keyword FVCC to 61094.

Tickets are still available for the following Fall Festival of Flavors events, all of which begin at 6 p.m. unless noted otherwise:

• Sunday, Oct. 4: The Culinary Institute of Montana presents “The Secret Garden Champagne Brunch and Concert” at the FVCC campus with live music by violinist Wai Mizutani at 11 a.m. Tickets are $100 per person.

• Monday, Oct. 5: Chef Cori Armany presents dinner with beer and wine pairings at the Gunsight Saloon in Columbia Falls. The Murray Duo will perform live. Tickets are $75 per person.

• Tuesday, Oct. 6: Chefs Andrew Brosten and Mike Hanson and Creative Director Rikku O’Donnchu present dinner and wine pairings at the Stone Hill Kitchen in Bigfork. Tickets are $125 per person.

• Wednesday, Oct. 7: Chef CeCe Andersson presents dinner and wine pairings at the Beargrass Bistro in Lakeside. Tickets are $125 per person.

• Thursday, Oct. 8: Chef Howard Karp and the Culinary Institute of Montana present “Flavor, Passion and Tradition: A Celebration of Italian Cuisine” at the FVCC campus. Tickets are $125 per person.

To view all menus or purchase tickets, visit www.fvcc.edu/festival or call 756-3632. All prices include dinner, wine/brew pairings and gratuity.