Crushing It! Wine & Food Week 2025 Raises the Bar for Culinary Excellence 21st annual event set for May 28-31 in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Celebrating 21 years as one of the region’s top culinary and wine events, Wine & Food Week returns May 28-31, 2025, with the dynamic theme Crushing It! —a tribute to the trailblazers, tastemakers, and trendsetters pushing the industry forward. With hundreds of wines, a line-up of special guests, fresh culinary talent, and innovative event experiences, Wine & Food Week promises a week of indulgence and inspiration. For wine and food lovers, this event is an absolute must.

Fan-favorite events return, including Wine Around the World Wednesday; the all-NEW Crushing It with Cocktails!, a spirited cocktail competition and Sips, Suds & Savor, Friday night date night. The week culminates with the grand finale—the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom, where acclaimed chefs compete for the coveted Chef of Chefs Award and a $5,000 cash prize. Seeking an elevated experience? Secure early access to the exclusive Bayway Cadillac VIP Luxury Lounge, featuring ultra-premium wines and an intimate ambiance.

Wine & Food Week isn’t just about indulgence, it’s about impact. A portion of proceeds benefit charitable organizations such as The Woodlands Arts Council, New Danville, and the Montgomery County Food Bank, reinforcing the commitment to supporting the community.

“As we embark on our 21st year, we’re Crushing It! —celebrating the innovators, the game-changers, and the passionate voices who are redefining the food and beverage scene,” said Constance McDerby, Founder of Wine & Food Week. “From the vines to the kitchen, from the glass to the plate, every element comes together to create an experience that is both unforgettable and unmatched. Here’s to raising our glasses to the next era of culinary excellence!”

Wine & Food Week guests will have the chance to mingle with renowned chefs, sommeliers, and industry icons, including Chef Nancy Manlove returning Wine Rendezvous Chef of Chefs winner, Chef Teddy Bouroncle, self-proclaimed foodie chef from Lima Bistro—the #1 restaurant in Aruba, and Chef Lena Trang of Lena’s Asian Kitchen and winner of the Chopped Truffle challenge, to name just a few.

Don’t miss out—secure your tickets now for Wine & Food Week 2025 and be part of an extraordinary celebration of taste, talent, and tradition. For an extensive event line-up, details and tickets, visit wineandfoodweek.com.

Wine & Food Week is presented by H-E-B. Sponsored by: Bayway Cadillac of The Woodlands, Aruba Tourism, Visit the Woodlands, Trinchero Family Estates, Riboli Family Wines, Duckhorn Wine, Hess Persson Estates, Michael David Winery, Volante Integrated Planning Northwestern Mutual, SpeedPro Imaging The Woodlands, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, The Woodlands Country Club, Renewal by Anderson, Steelman Medical, Women Driving Business, Woodlands Online, Woodlands City Lifestyle Magazine, PaperCity, Hello Woodlands, Houston Magazine, Infiniti Graphics, Genesis Photography, Kelley Sweet Photography, and SRG Photography with more announcements to follow.

EVENT LINE-UP

WEDNESDAY, May 28

Wine Around The World Wednesday

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 6:00 - 9:00pm | Ticket: $55

Get ready to travel around the world with your own tour guide. No passport required. Just bring along your tastebuds and a friend, for this international wine-tasting experience. Salud! Nosh on lite bites with international foods paired with each wine.

Knowledgeable wine experts will be on hand to walk you through the wines exploring the wine industry in the country of origin. Pack light and let your wanderlust take hold as we journey wine glass in hand around the world.

THURSDAY, May 29

Crushing It with Cocktails!

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 6:00 - 9:00pm | Ticket: $65

This brand-new event from Wine & Food Week is bringing the heat with an epic tasting experience and a high-energy cocktail and mocktail competition. Watch top mixologists battle it out while you sip and sample innovative creations, bold flavors, and crowd-favorite classics. Whether you’re all about craft cocktails or prefer a zero-proof masterpiece, this is a night to raise your glass and toast to the best in the biz. Don’t miss out—come taste, vote, and celebrate the art of the perfect pour!

FRIDAY, May 30

Sips, Suds & Savor

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 6:00 - 9:00pm | Ticket: $45

Looking for a fun Friday night out with great grub, live music, wine, beer, craft spirits and an amazing live art performance? Sips, Suds & Savor is the perfect date night, or Friday outing with a group of friends featuring the live entertainment including the rowdy crew from the Renaissance Festival and a grape stomp competition sponsored by Bernhardt Winery.

SATURDAY, May 31

Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom | 7:00 - 10:00pm | Ticket: $150

A culinary extravaganza for the decadent taste bud enthusiasts. You’ll enjoy chef demonstrations and culinary offerings from 35 restaurants competing for the coveted national title of Chef of Chefs Culinary Awards and a $5,000 cash prize as voted by an esteemed panel of judges. Featuring hundreds of wines, The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase presents guests with the opportunity to slip into their finest emeralds and green evening attire and be in the company of serious wine enthusiasts.

Bayway Cadillac VIP Luxury Lounge

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom | 7:00 - 10:00pm | Ticket: $200

If the finer life is more your style, the lavish VIP Luxury Lounge is the place for you. Indulge in luxury with crème de la crème wine selections only available in this posh playground. Rub elbows with Wine & Food Week special guests, celebrities, media, and food judges throughout the evening.

FRIDAY June 6

Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Luncheon & Panel Discussion

The Club at Carlton Woods | 11:30am - 3:00pm | Ticket: $165

Kelly Limbaugh moderates a panel of women winemakers, owners & experts, guiding guests behind the bottle.

Intimate experience with tasting stations followed by a multi-course wine meal.

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