Local Wine Events

The Naples Winter Wine Festival, ranked by Wine Spectator since 2004 as the most successful charity wine auction in the U.S., will bring together 15 of the nation’s superstar chefs for the festival’s 10th anniversary, to be held Jan. 29-31.

Altogether, the 15 participating chefs, 14 of whom are festival veterans, have amassed 88 James Beard awards and nominations, as well as many other culinary honors. Returning chefs include Daniel Boulud, chef-owner of some of the country’s finest restaurants, cookbook author, and creator of kitchenware and gourmet products; and Emeril Lagasse, master chef, star of “Emeril Live,” cookbook author and renowned restaurateur. This is the fourth festival for both chefs. Tom Colicchio, head judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” TV show and chef-owner of Craft Restaurants, will participate for a record sixth year. 

“The chefs were very enthusiastic about coming back to the festival,” said Adria Starkey, chair of the 2010 chefs committee and a trustee of the festival’s founding organization – the Naples Children & Education Foundation. “They know their special gift of artfully cooking amazing food is an important ingredient in the success of the festival, helping to make a huge difference in the lives of children in need.”

During the festival the chefs create intimate dinners for 450 festival guests at 15 trustees’ homes. The cuisine is complemented by featured vintners’ special wines, personally poured for guests. “When guests gather under the auction tent, and they’ve just had a fantastic dinner the night before, and hear the children begin the auction with a song, there isn’t a dry eye in the place,” according to NCEF Trustee Shirlene Elkins, who served as the festival’s chair in 2004 and has chaired the chefs committee three times. “It’s nothing short of magic, and the chefs are a big contributor.”  

More on the Chefs

Dean Fearing, making his first festival appearance, has been named the chef de cuisine for 2010. The honor, bestowed by NCEF trustees, celebrates a chef’s culinary stature and support of the festival. Fearing’s acclaimed restaurant, Fearing’s Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, has won the 2009 Zagat Guide award for No. 1 in Hotel Dining, the 2009 Silver Spoon Award from Food Arts and was named one of the world's top ten restaurants by Hotels Magazine for 2009. His restaurant was also a nominee for the 2008 James Beard “Best New Restaurant” award, and received Esquire’s 2007 award for Restaurant of the Year. "I am thrilled to be a part of such a successful festival that gives back to at-risk children and area charities through doing what I love to do - it is a true honor," said Fearing.

“We are absolutely delighted to have Chef Fearing participate in our 10th festival and present him with the honor of chef de cuisine. His larger-than-life personality and bold-flavored culinary style are a superb addition to the festival,” said The Hon. Francis Rooney, NCEF trustee and co-chair of the 2010 festival with his wife Kathleen. “My trustee colleagues and I are deeply grateful to Chef Fearing and all the other chefs for so generously giving of their time and talent to help raise money for children whose needs are skyrocketing in this difficult economic environment.”

James Beard “Outstanding Service” Award 2009                   

Daniel 

New York City

Tom Colicchio                         

James Beard “Outstanding Chef” nominee 2002 – 2007 and 2009

Craft                                                                                       

New York City

Dean Fearing                                                           

Zagat Guide “No. 1 in Hotel Dining” Award 2009

Fearing’s Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton                                                     

Dallas 

Lee Hefter

James Beard “Best Chef: Pacific” Award 2005                                   

Spago                                        

Beverly Hills   

Douglas Keane

James Beard “Best Chef” Award 2009                        

Cyrus                                        

Napa Valley    

Thomas Keller                        

Seven-time James Beard Award winner

The French Laundry                  

Napa Valley    

Mark Kiffin                               

James Beard “Best Chef: Southwest” Award 2005

The Compound Restaurant      

Santa Fe        

Emeril Lagasse        

Food Network “Lifetime Achievement” Award 2009

Emeril’s  

New Orleans

Christopher Lee      

Food & Wine “America’s Best New Chef” Award 2006

Aureole           

New York City                                                

Tony Mantuano        

Eight-time James Beard Award winner or nominee

Spiaggia         

Chicago

 David Myers

Wine Spectator “Grand Award” winner 2006 – 2008

Sona Restaurant

Los Angeles  

Nancy Oakes

16-time James Beard Award winner or nominee

Boulevard

San Francisco

Richard Reddington

San Francisco Chronicle “Rising Star” Award 2004

REDD

Napa Valley                   

Bill Telepan

Zagat Guide “Best Newcomer” winner 2007

Telepan

New York City

Rick Tramonto