University Communications and Marketing

MSUB Foundation Hosts 25th Anniversary of the Wine and Food Festival

Tickets available beginning April 17 through the MSU Billings Foundation, start planning to attend this exciting, community favorite event today! 

Contacts:

Jeanne Moller, MSU Billings Foundation, 406-657-2244

University Relations, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — The Montana State University Billings Foundation is excited to host their 25th Anniversary of the Wine and Food Festival. This weeklong festival will be taking place May 15 through the 20 with cooking schools, symposiums, and auctions scheduled various times throughout each day. The Wine & Food Festival is a week of fun, education, and of course wine and food! 

Monday, May 15th
Guest Chef Dinner: “Five Times Five-An Anniversary Feast” at The Northern: 6:00pm
This dinner kicks off the week with a variety of chefs to pair together different wines and foods for their guests. The dinner features chefs from around the region including David Maplethorpe formally of The Rex; Kevin Davis of Steelhead Diner, Blue Acre Seafood and Orfeo in Seattle, Washington; Carl Kurokawa of Juliano’s Restaurant; Bernard Guillas of La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, California; and Nick Steen of the Northern Hotel all located in Billings, MT. The dinner costs $150 dollars to attend, and includes all wine and food options for the entire evening. The Guest Chef Dinner is a great start to a week of good wine, food, and company. The sponsors of this dinner are The Northern Hotel, Sysco Montana, Inc., Dr. Joseph Howell, and Stacey Suydam.

Tuesday, May 16
Home Cooking School: 11:00 am and 6:00pm
Each Cooking School features different wine and food pairings. The morning class, “Spring Fling…Sharing the Love” features Executive Chef Bernard Guillas from La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, CA and takes place in the home of Carl and Linda Baltrush. The sponsors for this class Sysco Montana, Inc., Cricket Clothing Company/Bill Royer-UBS Financial Services, and David Maplethorpe. The evening class, “Montana on My Mind” features Amy Smith form The Grand Hotel in Big Timber, MT and will be in the home of Randy and Lee Gibb. The sponsors for the evening event are Sysco Montana, Inc., Northwestern Energy, Cabinet Works, and Drs. Randy & Lee Gibb. All Home Cooking Schools sell 20 tickets each and cost $75 to attend.

Brewmaster Symposium: 7:00 pm
Back by popular demand, this will be the second year including brews into the Wine and Food Festival. Featuring Brewmaster Colin McKenney from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR, with menu pairings by Billings Petroleum Club Executive Chef Jeremy Engebretson, held at the Billings Petroleum Club. Tickets for this new event are $75 dollars and will be expected to go quickly. Sponsors for this event are Billings Petroleum Club, ISU Streeter Brothers Insurance, and Diamond Jubilee Casino.

Wednesday, May 17th
Home Cooking School: 6:00 pm
“A Night in Barcelona” will feature Executive Chef Eric Gruber from Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT, and will be held at the home of Patrick and Shelley Behm. The sponsors of this event are Sysco Montana, Inc., Judy Williams & Malcom Goodrich, Goodrich & Reely, PLLC, and Lonewolf Energy, Inc.-Trent & Konnie Sizemore

Cooking Demonstration: 6:00 pm
The “Sweet Savory: Tater Love” cooking demonstration will feature Executive Chef Raghavan Iyer and Executive Chef James Dodge, along with wine tips from Certified Wine Professional Stella Fong. The event will take place at the MSU Billings Student Union Building in the Rimrock Cafe. The tickets for this event are $100, and there are 60 tickets available. The sponsors for the cooking demonstration are Sysco Montana, Inc., Bill Brown & Amy Gibler Brown, Joe Dillard & Stella Fong, HGFA Architects, and Bradford Roof Management.

Thursday May 18th
Home Cooking School: 6:00pm
The last cooking school of the festival “Wild Ideas” features Executive Chef Shawn Hamilton Smith from Bighorn River Lodge in Fort Smith, MT. The class will take place at the Donna Yeargain residence. The sponsors for this event are Sysco Montana, Inc., Kisling Quality Builders, Mike & Cara Schaer, Peterson Quality Office, and Rimrock Auto Group.

Winemaster Symposium: 6:00 pm
The Winemaster Symposium is one of the most anticipated events of the Wine and Food Festival and takes place at the Northern Hotel. The event features winemasters Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines and K.R. Rombauer of Rombauer Vineyards. The tickets for the event are $100 and there are only 48 seats available. The sponsors of this event are The Northern Hotel, Archie Cochrane Motors, and Bill Brown & Amy Gibler Brown.

Friday, May 19
Wine and Food Pairings Under the “Grand” Tent: 6:00 pm
This relaxing evening features wine and food tasting, silent auctions, a wine store, and private cellar. The event takes place in the tent on the campus of MSU Billings. Truly one of the best evenings that a wine lover could ask for. The tickets are $85 dollars for the whole evening, and there are 800 tickets available.

Saturday, May 20
The “Fine Finish:” 5:30 pm
A casual, elegant evening that begins with a champagne reception, gourmet dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jeremy Goldsmith of Sodexo, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and live and silent auctions. The tickets are $125 for a seat and $2,000 for corporate tables. There are 400 spots for this event available, and it will take place in the tent on the campus of MSU Billings.