Presented by the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau since 1993 with sponsorship support from the Santa Ynez Valley Hotel Association, Taste of Solvang features locally grown foods, wines and diverse cuisine to celebrate the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the area. The 2014 Taste of Solvang is produced this year by Create Promotions offering savory flavors and sensory sensations from Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, March 16. New to the event for 2014 is an intimate Farm-to-Fork Dinner experience with famed Chef Budi Kazali of The Ballard Inn. Here is the detailed schedule of events:

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

2:00-6:00 p.m.: Solvang Village Farmers Market (First Street between Mission & Copenhagen Drive); find farm-to-you fresh fruit, veggies, flowers, meats, cheeses, breads and savories from around the Central Coast.

3:00 p.m. Solvang Village Farmers Market Chef Walk & Demo: Meet at the corner of First Street and Copenhagen Drive with Chef David Cecchini, owner of Cecco Ristorante for a free Walk & Talk followed by a Cooking Demonstration at Cecco, 475 First Street. Chef David will make his way through the market offering up tips and a personalized tour as he purchases farm-fresh ingredients for his demonstration menu. RSVP is required and can be made at info@createpromotions.com

Friday, March 14, 2014

7:00-9:00 p.m.: The deliciously popular Dessert Reception is back with a new name, Sweets & Swing, with a dozen or more different confections accompanied by local wines and beverages at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1765 Mission Drive. Attendees also will be treated to live jazz & vocals performed by The Tipsy Gypsies. Returning this year is the Dessert Contest open to amateur and professional chefs (who must live or work in the Santa Ynez Valley) competing for three awards: Best Dessert–Amateur; Best Dessert–Professional (chosen by professional judges including Krista Harris, editor & co-publisher of Edible Santa Barbara; Liz Dodder, food blogger; Teri Bayus, food writer, Tolosa Press and dessert lover Gary Bayus) and Best Dessert–People’s Choice (chosen by guests). Ala carte tickets (available in advance at www.TasteofSolvang.org or via First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084; or at the door; $25 per person).

Saturday, March 15, 2014

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: The Grand Tasting (formerly known as the Walking Smorgaasbord) features 40 taste stops around the village featuring delicious bites of Danish, American and more cuisines. Ticket purchase includes detailed map and menu. Ala carte tickets (available in advance at www.TasteofSolvang.org or via First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084; or for purchase the day of the event if still available at Taste of Solvang ticket booth in Solvang Park, Mission Drive & First Street for $30 per person).

5:00-8:00 p.m.: Wine & Beer Tasting Walk—Day 1 offering 12 stops* at downtown tasting rooms pouring their vintages into the prized souvenir Taste of Solvang etched glass. (available in advance at www.TasteofSolvang.org or via First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084; or for purchase the day of the event if still available at Taste of Solvang ticket boothin Solvang Park, Mission Drive & First Street; $40 per person, must be 21 years or older—ticket valid for both Saturday and Sunday).

6:00-9:00 p.m.: Farm-to-Fork Dinner experience with famed Chef Budi Kazali of The Ballard Inn will be held at Solvang’s Buttonwood Farms & Winery barrel room. Spend an intimate evening dining family style as the award-winning Chef Budi Kazali takes you through a four course wine-paired dinner utilizing ingredients sourced only from Solvang’s local producers. Chef Budi is the owner of the AAA Four-Diamond rated Ballard Inn & Restaurant and host of The Inn Crowd TV show. Ala carte tickets (available ONLY in advance at www.TasteofSolvang.org or via First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084 for $120 per person (must be 21 years or older; ticket includes round-trip transportation to/from Solvang Park/Buttonwood Farm.)

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Noon-4:00 p.m.: Wine & Beer Tasting Walk—Day 2 offering 12 stops* at downtown tasting rooms pouring their vintages into the prized souvenir Taste of Solvang etched glass. (available in advance at www.TasteofSolvang.org or via First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084; or for purchase the day of the event if still available at Taste of Solvang ticket booth in Solvang Park, Mission Drive & First Street; $40 per person, must be 21 years or older—ticket valid for both Saturday and Sunday).

*12 Stops along the 2014 Solvang Wine & Beer Tasting Walk (Both Days) Carivintas Winery, Dascomb Cellars, Lions Peak Vineyard & Winery, Lucas & Lewellen, Olive House, Presidio Vineyard & Winery, Randy’s Taproom, SevTap Winery, Sort This Out Cellars, The Good Life Craft Beer & Wine Cellar; Toccata, and Wandering Dog Wine Bar.

2014 Taste of Solvang advance ticket purchase is highly recommended, and may be purchased ala carte: Sweets & Swing $25, Grand Tasting $30, Farm-to-Fork Dinner $120, Wine Walk $40 for a two-day pass which includes souvenir Wine Glass. Two ticket packages are available: Passport Weekend includes Sweets & Swing, Grand Tasting, Solvang Wine & Beer Tasting Walk Pass for $85, or VIP Passport includes Passport Weekend plus Farm to Fork Dinner for $185 per person. Both packages include Souvenir Wine Glass, Wine Charm, and Souvenir Tote. Tickets may be purchased at www.tasteofsolvang.org or by calling First Street Tickets at 805-693-8084.

For more information about the 2014 Taste of Solvang, please contact 2014 event producers Holly Holliday and Stephanie Curcio at info@createpromotions.com or call them at 805-709-2221 or see www.tasteofsolvang.org . For more information about Solvang year-round lodging, dining and attractions visit www.SolvangUSA.com.

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