Sixth Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival
Known as the largest culinary celebration in the state, the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival offers 1200 assorted wines, in addition to gourmet plates, seminars, distilleries and breweries highlighting their best. In addition, the area's best chefs will be on-hand to prepare small dishes that feature their specialties. It's no secret that if you crave all things wine, beer and food, this event has been programmed into your phone for 11 months and three weeks. New to the event is the Brewer's Loft, which showcases Michigan beer (because who does beer better than us?) and offers food and beer pairings. Tickets range from $35 to $45 on a first-come, first-fed basis. Nov. 21-Nov. 23; DeVos Place, Grand Rapids; (616) 447-2860 , grwinefestival.com
The Great Macaroni and Cheese Bake-Off
Leave room for more after Thanksgiving and indulge in the ultimate comfort food: macaroni and cheese. The wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City host a macaroni and cheese bake-off, where the true winner is you. The wineries (which include Black Star Farms, Hawthorne Vineyards, Peninsula Cellars, Chateau Grand Traverse, BRYS Estate, Bowers Harbor, Chateau Chantal and 2 Lads Winery) bring in the area's top chefs to whip up their best mac 'n' cheese creations. Not only do attendees get to indulge in one of fall and winter's finest meals, but they get the added bonus of wine pairings from each of the wineries. Nov. 30; Traverse City; wineriesofoldmission.com, $38.50 participant, $28.50 designated driver
Lindsay Patton-Carson also contributed to this article.
