September 14, 2010                   Basho Japanese Brasserie, 1338 Boylston St., Boston

October 12, 2010                       Russell House Tavern, 14 JFK St., Cambridge

November 9, 2010                     Lala Rokh, 97 Mt. Vernon St., Boston

January 11, 2011                       Island Creek Oyster Bar, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston

This year, for the first time, the American Wine & Food Festival will host an exclusive festival pre-party, “An Evening on the Beach.” This exciting new event will be a truly unique experience, with extraordinary food, specialty cocktails, crackling fires, and music on some of Santa Monica’s most sought after sand.

On the evening of September 25, 2010, a pantheon of food and beverage stars will exercise their considerable talents for the enjoyment of over 2,700 food and wine enthusiasts. The opportunity to sample exceptional dishes prepared by an internationally acclaimed group of chefs will be accompanied by live music, dancing, and a silent auction.

Since its inception in 1982, this Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation event has raised more than $15 million for the Meals On Wheels Programs of Los Angeles, which serve thousands of meals each day to Los Angeles’ homebound, senior and disabled citizens.

We most cordially invite you to join us in support of a great cause and a most memorable evening.

Add in a mix of contests, favorite Rhody flavors, lots of free stuff and an open dance floor, and you've got the perfect recipe to rock your Taste buds. Come celebrate a weekend of regional camaraderie!

• Continuous Live Entertainment
• Culinary Demonstrations by Local Chefs
• Food & Beverage Pairings
• Games, Contests, Prizes
• Children’s Activities
• Meet Local Authors

An expanded menu of local culinary food, over 20 arts and crafts vendors, a selection of Gorge wines, a robust children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music will guarantee fun for the entire family.

The event is situated in downtown Hood River between 5^th and 7^th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Admission to the grounds is free. To taste beers, visitors must buy a 14-ounce commemorative tasting mug for $6 and taste tokens are $1 for a 3-ounce taste, $4 for a fill. Food and crafts vendors also set prices separately.

Visitors can supplement their tasting with food from Gorge restaurants, including slow smoked pulled pork from Apple Valley Country Store to panko breaded fish and hand cut fries from Three Rivers grill. The day-long musical lineup will include singer/songwriter, traditional Bavarian style sounds, a little rock and blues notes. Volunteers are still welcome, to sell mugs and tokens, or help with pouring. Call or e-mail Tracy Kaiser at tkaiser@hoodriver.org or 541-399-6235.