FLASH: 7th Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit Features Jacques Pépin and Grapes from the Rhone Valley

FLASH: 7th Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit Features French Chef/Author Jacques Pépin and Grapes from the Rhone Valley

Internationally recognized French chef, television personality, and author, Jacques Pépin, will make his first appearance, together with his daughter, Claudine Pépin, at the  Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit April 15-17, 2011, at Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, Texas. Mr. Pepin has published 26 cookbooks and hosted 11 public television cooking series. A new book and PBS-TV series, Essential Pépin, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2011. The Pépins will be sharing stories, teaching cooking classes, signing books, and meeting with chefs, winemakers and guests.

Nationally acclaimed Chef Stephan Pyles, owner of Stephan Pyles and Samar restaurants in Dallas, will make his fifth annual Summit appearance, preparing dinner on Friday night – this time with great French style. He got his start at The Great Chefs of France Cooking School where he worked with Michelin 3-star chefs such as Michel Guerard and later worked with, and became a close friend of, Julia Child. Chef Pyles is a James Beard “Best Chef” Award recipient, an Esquire Magazine “Chef of the Year” and called “An absolute genius in the kitchen” by The New York Times. A native of neighboring Big Spring, Texas, he is known as a pioneer of New American cooking and a founding father of Southwestern Cuisine as well as an expert on international cuisines.

I attended last years festivities and it was truly a unique experience. See:

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https://vintagetexas.com/?p=1607

https://vintagetexas.com/?p=1611

This year the Summit celebrates the integral part that France played in Texas history. European explorers first arrived in Texas in 1519 and, during the period from 1519-1848, all or parts of Texas were claimed by six countries:  Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. The French flag flew over Texas from 1684-1689 when René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle established a French colony, Fort Saint Louis, near Matagorda Bay. Even though France’s reign was brief, their occupation of Texas was a threat to Spain and the French were ousted in only three short years.

In the tradition of West Texas hospitality, The Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit has invited the French to return to Texas, this time sharing the knowledge and passion admired most in the French culture – their winemaking and culinary skills.

Winemakers will be in abundance as both Texas and California wineries bring their Rhone-style wines to Buffalo Gap. The pairings promise to be “over the top” and the opportunity to participate in the educational panel and tasting “Rhone on the Ranch” featuring Master Sommelier Guy Stout (representing Glazer’s Family of Companies) is unique:  He will present an introductory class on wines from the Rhone Valley followed by a comparative tasting of the Rhone varietals – from France, California, and Texas.

The Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit, Inc., is non-profit organization founded by Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse (Buffalo Gap, TX), Dr. Richard Becker of Becker Vineyards (Stonewall, TX), and the late Fess Parker of Fess Parker Winery and Vineyards (Los Olivos, CA).  The mission of the organization is to cultivate the appreciation of fine wine and food through education and industry discussion. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

TICKETS: Patron Passes available February 1, 2011, and a la carté tickets available beginning March 1, 2011. For more information visit http://www.buffalogapsummit.org or call 800.367.1721.