The Williamsburg Taste Festival
April 19 – 22, 2018
Williamsburg Taste Festival – a four day foodie’s delight of food, brews and music – April 19 – 22, 2018 – tickets on sale now
The Williamsburg Taste Festival is not only an invitation to experience the soul of our city, but it’s also a celebration of the food traditions of our nation. Come discover our mouthwatering cuisines, enjoy a craft cocktail or sommelier-paired glass of wine, and meet the chefs, brew masters and vintners making one of America’s oldest foodie destinations one of the newest. This event lasts from April 19 – 22,, 2018. Enjoy a multi event ticket or get tickets for just the events you want to attend. Family friendly and date night events are part of this festival. Scroll down to read about each event!
Culinary Arts Kick-Off, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Join us for this kickoff celebration for the 2018 Williamsburg Taste Festival and enjoy just a “taste” of what’s to come for the next three days! Light hors d’oeuvres, paired with local wine and beer will be available.Be sure to make your reservation for one of our delicious Out and Abouts following this event. This is a rain or shine event. **Please note, this event is only included in All Festival Pass!**
Thursday Night Out and Abouts
Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 7 pm at the different locations below.
Our Out and About events are your chance to enjoy a specia l evening with our local celebrity chefs who are putting together menus that will create an evening of culinary exploration that you won’t forget! Out and About events will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County.
La Tienda, Thursday April 19th, 7 pm
Discover the flavors of Barcelona, Madrid and Seville at the La Tienda Tapas Bar. Feast on authentic dishes from Spain, each paired with an amazing Spanish wine. Chef Ika Zaken is constantly innovating using fresh local ingredients and delicacies from Spain, and is excited to offer a very special menu for you to enjoy.
French Wine Dinner at The Cafe Provencal, Thursday April 19th, 7 pm
Transport yourself to Provence for the evening and enjoy a wine-paired dinner at the Winery’s Café Provencal. Taste the flavors of France as you partake in a five-course culinary adventure prepared by the Wessex Hundred Culinary Team and hosted by The Williamsburg Winery Founder Patrick Duffeler Sr.
The Hound’s Tale
Thursday April 19th, 7 pm
Become a part of the Hound Pack at our new corner patio. Located on North Boundary Street and Prince George Street, the Hound’s Tale will be hosting a night of street foods from around the world. No need to travel far, our culinary team has evoked the flavors from exotic lands to take your mouth on a trip around the world. Taste of several different cultural fares while enjoying a fun twist on cocktails or enjoy a selection of our beers and wines.
(This event has been canceled) Yorktown River Crawl – Umi Sushi, Waterstreet Grille & Carrot Tree (Yorktown Riverwalk),
Thursday April 19th, 7 pm
Begin at Umi Sushi take a short walk to Waterstreet Grille and finish your crawl with a little something sweet at Carrot Tree. Enjoy this delectable taste of Yorktown!
Carrot Tree, Waterstreet Grille and Umi Sushi
Friday Night: Street Beats, 5:30 – 9:30 pm
Friday, April 20, 2018
At the Williamsburg Community Building ( 401 N. Boundary Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185), Fountain Tent area
It’s Friday night and time to relax and celebrate some of our extraordinary local music and food. Tickets include live music – 2 great bands, family friendly yard game like corn hole, giant jenga, giant checkers and giant connect four. Food and drinks are available for purchase from the food trucks and tables as well as the cash bars. Nothing is priced over $10. Giant paella made fresh by the chefs from La Tienda. This event will feature a light and fun atmosphere for the entire family and the perfect way to wind down your work week! This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.
College students must present a valid school ID to receive the discount.
Food Trucks:
Prost: Classic German Fare
VA Blue Crab Co: Fresh Local Seafood
Jabellz: Latin & Caribbean Cuisine
Food Tables:
La Tienda: Paella
Old City BBQ: Barbecue
Get Together Vintage Popcorn & Cotton Candy: Popcorn and Cotton Candy
Retro’s: Burgers, Hot Dogs
Friday Night Out and Abouts
Friday, April 20, 2018
Waypoint Seafood and Grill,
Friday April 20th , 7 pm
Waypoint Seafood and Grill Restaurant marks Williamsburg’s latest culinary destination from Chef Hans Schadler. The Waypoint menu is a celebration of Chesapeake ingredients and includes items grown at local farms and caught in regional waters. The pure flavors and rich ingredients presented in the seasonally changing entrees represent modern regional American cuisine with classical culinary roots.
Culinary Village, 10:30 am – 5 pm
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Culinary Village – Main Tent, Williamsburg Community Building
The Williamsburg Taste Festival Culinary Village is the heart of our food and craft beverage festival for the weekend. Saturday will feature a variety of “tastes” of several types of cuisine as well as small samplings from regional vendors. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore some of our best local craft beverages to compliment your Taste experience. Chef demonstrations in the Williamsburg Community Building will let you see our celebrity chefs creating culinary delights in person! And don’t forget the Kids Zone that will allow your kids to have some fun while you get serious about some amazing culinary creations! Kids Zone includes yard games like corn hole, giant jenga, giant checkers and giant connect four. Artfully Yours Studio will teach 3 different crafts that kids can make and take home. For the 2-4 age they will make spring colored pasta for necklaces and bracelets. For the older age ranges, they will be working on a bird feeder. For the 9+ age group, their project will be rain sticks.
We are excited to have such a variety of amazing vendors in the Shop & Play tent for Culinary Village on Saturday!
La Tienda – Sangria, almonds, truffle potato chips, anchovy stuffed olives
Belle Isle Moonshine – Drinks
The Neighborhood Harvest – Produce
The Farm Life – Elderberry and Kombucha
Cake 5 Designs – Cake, Macarons, & Cake Pops
Loose Leaf Tea Company – Tea
LMP Food Group – Honey
Milton’s Local – Sausage and Bacon
MOTHER shrub – Beverage Mixers
Peace Frogs – T-shirts and Merchandise
Virginia is for Lovers – VTC Merchandise
Earth Fare Williamsburg – Samples and Coupons
Christianne’s Creations – Glassware
Creative Gifts by Chrissy – Culinary Accessories
Historic Garden Week in Williamsburg – Microgreens
Saturday Education Track – LECTURES, Williamsburg Stryker Building | 3 sessions
10:45am: Patrick Evans-Hylton (VA Eats & Drinks Magazine)
12:45pm: Bruce Vogt (Big Island Aquaculture Oysters)
2:45pm: Lisa Kellogg (VIMS)
Saturday Education Track – DEMOS, Williamsburg Community Building | 3 sessions
11:45am: Chefs Hans Schadler and Harmut Handke (Waypoint Seafood & Grill)
1:45pm: Glenn Lavender (Silver Hand Meadery)
3:45pm: Chef Travis Brust (Williamsburg Inn)
Saturday Night Out & Abouts
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Our Out and About events are your chance to enjoy a special evening with our local celebrity chefs who are putting together menus that will create an evening of culinary exploration that you won’t forget! Out and About events will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County.
(This event has been canceled) Dock to Dish Dinner at Riverwalk Landing,
Saturday April 21st, 6 pm
This elegant restaurant overlooks the York River and promises a breathtaking view at lunch and dinner. Fresh seafood; steaks and chops; wraps; and more are available year-round. For a complete menu, click the link below.
Master of Taste Dinner at The Williamsburg Winery,
Saturday April 21st, 7 pm
Three renown Sommeliers will compete for your votes to help crown the Williamsburg Taste Festival Master of Taste. Throw out the rule book, and let these passionate oenophiles pique your palate as they stretch the boundaries of conventional wine and food pairing. Each of the five courses will be paired with three wines – one selection from each sommelier. You will be asked to judge which pairing you thought was the best (and most daring) fit for that dish. At the conclusion of the event, the Sommelier with the highest point total will crowned Master of Taste. Are you up for the challenge?
Billsburg Brewery, Saturday April 21st, 7 pm
The Billsburg Brewery Food Truck Rodeo will feature 3 local favorite food trucks, Two Drummers Offbeat Eats, Black Pearl, and Karnage Asada. The wide variety of food available can be paired nicely with any of the Billsburg Beers available exclusively on tap. Cost is $20.
Amber Ox Public House
Saturday April 21st, 7 pm
When inspiration hits, sometimes it’s with a mouthwatering plate of smoked beef brisket with spicy tomato chowchow and a mug of full-bodied craft beer. At least that’s how the idea for the Amber Ox came to us. We’ve been friends for decades, working and collaborating together in the restaurant industry, and we share a passion for great food and craft beer. We saw a need for a cool, creative, casual and approachable new eating and drinking establishment in Williamsburg, and we decided to meet it.
Saturday Night Late Night – Bourbon and Cigars
Saturday April 21st, 9 – 11 pm
Fountain Trellis next to the Williamsburg Stryker Building – After a full day of shopping and tasting, kick back and relax with music by Sammy Lee, world class bourbon and whiskey and smooth cigars on the Fountain Lawn of the Stryker Building. Admission includes entry and 1 hosted drink, a custom rocks glass and 2 cigars. This event is age 21 and over. Ticketed Event – Cost is $45.
Brunch
Sunday, April 22, 2018
(This event has been canceled) Sunday Brunch Culinary Village – Main Tent – 11 am
Imagine how amazing brunch would be if 5 of the top Chef’s in our State worked together to create the ultimate brunch experience. Well that’s the menu for today! Cost is $55.00 for adults.
Participating chefs include:
Chef Hans Schadler and Chef Steve Perkins of Waypoint Seafood & Grill (Omelet Station)
Chef Tom Power of Fat Canary (Seafood Station)
Chef Travis Brust of Williamsburg Inn (French Toast Station)
Chef Brian Hines of Riverwalk Restaurant (Eggs Benedict Station)
Chef J.C. Morton of Aberdeen Barn (Carving Station)
Beer U
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Fountain Trellis next to the Williamsburg Stryker Building – 2 pm
Panel discussion about all things beer moderated by Tom Davis of Local Voice/WYDaily. Panelists include Brewmasters from Alewerks, Billsburg, Brass Cannon, Precarious Beer Project and Virginia Beer Company. Ticket price includes 1 pint of beer plus beer and food pairing samples provided by Amber Ox. This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.
Need more details?
Visit – EVENT SCHEDULE FOR THE WILLIAMSBURG TASTE FESTIVAL
Still not sure? Here is a great article breaking down the event.