Buffalo Gap: What a Place for a Texas Gourmet Wine and Food Event – "Not the end of the Earth, but you can see it from there"

Buffalo Gap: What a Place for a Gourmet Wine and Food Event – “Not the end of the Earth, but you can see it from there”

Buffalo Gap dates from 1857. The current Buffalo Gap Highway (Highway 87) follows the route of the 1874 old Center Line Trail that ran from Texarkana to El Paso. Buffalo also traveled through the region (and ran the gap) to graze on the high plains and watered here for the trip, making it a perfect location for the hunters in the 1860s and 70s.

Today Perini Ranch and Steakhouse are located in Buffalo Gap, Texas, which has become the confluence of Tom Perini’s love for ranch life and his career as America’s quintessential cowboy gourmet.   After perfecting the traditional cowboy cuisine and creating a few recipes of his own, Perini moved from the back of the chuck wagon into his own restaurant on the family’s working ranch.  Since 1983, Perini Ranch Steakhouse has served as home to the best chuck wagon style food in all America.

The Texas and Pacific Railroad made Abilene their company headquarters and this created a rivalry with Abilene to be the county seat that Abilene won in the 1883 election. Within a year Buffalo Gap’s population decreased by half. By 1894, the once-prosperous town on the open plain was down to about 400 people. However, this weekend, a few hundred more people who love great wine and sumptuous cuisine will be in Buffalo Gap attending the  Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit, starting this Friday and running through Sunday, at the Perini Ranch Steakhouse located just 1 mile west of Buffalo Gap, Texas on FM 89.

This rare event brings together both Texas and California winemakers and well-known Texas chefs. Featured Texas wineries include: Becker Vineyards, Brennan Vineyards, Fall Creek Vineyard, Flat Creek Estate, Llano Estacado Winery, McPherson Cellars, and Lone Oak Winery. Featured chefs include: Tim Byres (Smoke), Rebecca Rather (Rather Sweet), Tom Perini (Perini Ranch Steakhouse), Stephan Pyles (Samar), Grady Spears (Grady’s), and more…

2010 Summit Schedule of Events

EXPERIENCE SAMAR BY STEPHAN PYLES

6:00 PM  Friday, April 23  Perini Ranch Grounds

Exclusive VIP Veuve Clicquot Patron Only Reception

7:00 PM Dinner with award-winning chef and restaurateur Stephan Pyles and his latest restaurant concept. The entire evening and exotic menu will transport you to Spain, India and the Middle East!

WINE….. WHY YOU LIKE WHAT YOU LIKE

10:30 AM  Saturday, April 24   Perini Ranch Grounds

Have you ever wondered why you think cab is fab? Join us for a blind tasting hosted by Master Sommelier Guy Stout of Glazer’s Family of Companies. Stout will be joined on the panel by participating Summit winemakers. Come learn how to sip and swirl from a master!

A WORLD OF FLAVORS

1:30 PM   Saturday, April 24  Perini Ranch Grounds

Join Chef Tiffany Collins of the Texas Beef Council and participating Summit winemakers. To learn the difference between tastes and flavors. Discover pairings and why they work!

THE GRAPE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE VINE!

3:30 PM Saturday, April 24   Perini Ranch Grounds

Come taste wine produced by multi-generational family vineyards. Meet family members and listen to the stories of change, progress and tradition of winemaking.

COWBOYS, CUISINE & CABERNET

7:00PM  Saturday, April 24 Perini Ranch Grounds

Dine and dance the night away under the West Texas stars as you sample some of the regions’ finest cuisine from some of today’s hottest chefs. The chefs will showcase their cuisine and creativity at their own stations alongside perfectly paired wines. This unique, intimate event gives you the rare chance to kick up your heels and visit with our top chefs and winemakers.

Come out and meet Tito, the man behind Austin’s own Tito’s Handmade Vodka. He’ll be on hand to say hello as you sip Perini-tinis and take in the Summit. Tito’s is handcrafted and distilled 6 times in Austin, TX at America’s original microdistillery. Visit us at titosvodka.com. Complimentary Valet Parking.

BID-ADIEU BRUNCH

9:30AM  Sunday, April 25 Perini Ranch Steakhouse – Patio

Exclusive Patron Only Event

Before you hit the road, make your trails happy ones as we say “farewell” to our guests with a traditional Texas brunch. This informal fare will be the perfect end to your weekend!

More event details at: http://www.periniranch.com/summit/index.htm

See Texas First Lady Anita Perry participated in a cooking demonstration with Dallas chef Stephan Pyles at the 5th annual Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Chef Pyles demonstrates how to make chilled shrimp and jicama soup, at:

http://www.reporternews.com/videos/detail/Buffalo-gap-wine-food-summit/