This year’s Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival (MVF&W) was a total success — if you attended any of the highly curated signature events, you know what we mean. The process that went into putting together the festival was thoughtful and unique, creating events where guests connected with the Island on a personal and culinary level. The kickoff event, Fresh Off the Farm at the Ag Hall last Thursday, was a gorgeous affair with a venue that enticed guests to mingle, dance, and taste, all while connecting with local chefs, brewers, farmers, and more. Between the signature events, the dinner pop-ups, winemaker cellar series, and the small-batch experiences, attendees were blown away by the details, the food, and the wine pairings, and they’re already getting hungry for 2016. Here’s what some Island personalities had to say about this year’s festivities.
“It’s personally gratifying to be part of a festival that celebrates a place that I love. With 25 sold-out events and great buzz around the unique menus and fantastic selections of wines and spirits, I think it’s evident that folks loved the new direction of the programming — focusing on local talent with the organic addition of guest chefs and vintners from around the world. MVF&W is truly a unique-to-the-Island experience! It’s our first year as co-directors; let’s see what happens next.” — Nevette Previd, co-director, MVF&W (alongside Amy Foster Devore).
“I really love how Nevette and Amy really branded this a Martha’s Vineyard event, focusing on local. There was an authentic look and feel. The events felt intimate and original. Fresh Off the Farm was very well attended, a lot more than last year, and I loved our breakfast event at Rosewater. I think they captured the Vineyard at its best.” — Tina Miller, Rosewater Market & Takeaway
“Overall, the festival seems to have been a huge success. It is so nice to see the Island full after Columbus Day, and to have such a great turnout for all the events, including our signature dinner with Joseph Carr.” — Chef Justin Melnick, the Terrace at the Charlotte Inn
“As a festival enthusiast, I can say that I really enjoyed how this year’s event highlighted local food and a number of our Island chefs. I also enjoyed the different Island venues that were used to showcase just how beautiful it is here ‘off-season’; this is when the magic happens. Local fluke prepared by Michael Brisson paired with an outstanding Italian sauv. blanc that I would have never tried — such a gift. The festival for me was about connecting local food with amazing wines.” — Guinevere Cramer, Point B Realty blogger