By Judy Shuler
In good times and bad, sharing of food defines the milestones and everydayness of our lives.
Perhaps never before has it been more fitting to share food on Chautauqua Institution’s Bestor Plaza as this season draws to a close.
The six-day Food Festival, a tradition from prior years, not only brings residents together, but unites them with a diverse array of food and drinks prepared by the best regional restaurants, farms, wineries and breweries beyond the gates.
Bestor Plaza Food Festival hours are this Sunday, August 21, noon-6pm and continue through the week: August 22-26, noon-2pm and 4-8pm. Some vendors may remain open 2-4 p.m.
The festival will bring food trucks, local restaurants and representatives from wineries and breweries. Sunday is billed as Wine & Beer Tasting & Food Truck Rodeo, with six food trucks and beverages from Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing, Johnson Estate Winery, Ellicottville Distillery, and Angry Orchard Hard Cider. Food vendors, which vary from day to day, include Sweet Melody’s Gelato, Om Nohm Bakery and Café, The Cheesy Chick, The Best of Buffalo by Byron, Moneybags Dumplings LLC, Tabouli, Travelers Kitchen, Rassie Farms, Dark Forest Chocolate Makers, Chabad Jewish House, Shawarma Station, and restaurants of the Athenaeum Hotel.
A daily schedule of participating vendors, along with afternoon and evening entertainment you can include while on the grounds, can be found at chq.org/foodfestival. The list of vendors includes links to their individual business, for advance background on who they are and what they offer.
Entrance to the grounds is free on Sunday. On weekdays an afternoon Destination Pass, good for 3-8pm may be available for $5. Check in advance for any unforeseen changes on the grounds or to the original schedule at chq.org/updates.