Tickets Still Available to Select Events at 11th Annual Kennebunkport Festival

he Kennebunkport Festival- an annual celebration of the best food, wine and art that Maine has to offer - has announced it still has some tickets left to select events. Now in its 11th year, the festival will take place from June 7 - June 13 in the seaside village of Kennebunkport, Maine.

Drawing over 3,800 visitors each year, the festival is packed full of prominent chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers that will make appearances in some 40 events, including cocktail parties, intimate gourmet dinners hosted in private homes, a gala party, a grand tasting event, art shows, after-parties, and an outdoor concert.

One of the annual highlights of the festival is The Art of Dining, a series of once-in-a-lifetime intimate dinners prepared by Maine's top chefs and featuring seasoned sommeliers, hosted in Kennebunkport's most exquisite homes. Featured Chefs for this event include:

• Josh Hixson of 40 Paper Italian Bistro & Bar in the midcoast of Maine, who will appear at the Leonardi Residence
• Leslie Oster of Aurora Provisions in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Maushart Residence and Hinckley Reception at Chicks Marina
• Larry Matthews of Back Bay Grill in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Hogan Residence
• William Benner of Black Point Inn in Scarborough, Maine, who will appear at the Keller Residence
• Justin Walker of Earth in Kennebunkport, Maine, who will appear at the Granetz Residence and Wood Fired Grand Cru
• Mel Chaiken of Fiddlehead in Bangor, Maine, who will appear at the Gott Residence
• Brian Hill of Francine Bistro in Camden, Maine, who will appear at the Handler Residence
• Dan Sriprasert of Green Elephant in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Gillard Residence
• Guy Hernandez of Lolita in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Hurlbutt Residence
• Fred Eliot of Petite Jacqueline in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Taranto/Ellms Residence
• Damian Sansonetti of Piccolo in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Lord Residence
• Sam Talbot of Pig + Poet in Camden, Maine, who will appear at The Captain Fairfield Inn
• Harding Lee Smith of The Rooms in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Raffaelli Residence
• Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan in Brunswick, Maine, who will appear at the Knudsen Residence
• John Shaw of The Tides Beach Club in Kennebunkport, Maine, who will appear at the Keuhnle Residence
• Emil Rivera of Sur Lie in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Rice Residence
• Chris Wilcox of The Velveteen Habit in Cape Neddick, Maine, who will appear at the Parker Residence and The Grand Tapas Party
• David Levi of Vinland in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Molloy Residence
• Jeff Buerhaus of Walter's in Portland, Maine, who will appear at the Turner/Bull Residence
• Jonathan Cartwright of White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine, who will appear at An Evening at The White Barn Inn

The Grand Tapas Party, which takes place on Saturday, June 13 from noon until 4:00pm, is another greatly anticipated event that will take place under a beautiful white tent along the Kennebunk River, and will feature over 25 chefs and wineries offering samples. Featured Chefs for this event include:

• Steve True of 95 Ocean (The Nonantum Resort) in Kennebunkport, Maine
• David Ross of Abbondante in Kennebunk, Maine
• Brian O'Hea of Academe at the Kennebunk Inn in Kennebunk, Maine
• Devin Finigan of Aragosta in Downeast Maine
• Christopher Bassett of Azure Café in Freeport, Maine
• Norm Hebert of Bintliff's in Ogunquit, Maine
• Jason Kennedy of Black Tie Company in Portland, Maine
• Justin Bard of Blaze in Bangor, Maine
• Fausto Pifferer of Blue Elephant Events in Saco, Maine
• Alysia Zoidis of East End Cupcakes in Portland, Maine
• Brandon Hicks of Evo in Portland, Maine
• Pat O'Brien of Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegar in Freeport, Maine
• Michael Gilroy of Frontier in Brunswick, Maine
• Peggy Liversidge and Robert McGowen of Kitchen Chicks in Kennebunk, Maine
• Max Miller of The Landings in Rockland, Maine
• James and Pamela Plunkett of Little Bigs Bakery in South Portland, Maine
• Brandon Blethen of Robert's Maine Grill in Kittery, Maine
• Tony Bickford of Thistle Inn in Boothbay, Maine
• Bryan Dame of Tiqa in Portland, Maine
• Shannon Bard of Zapoteca in Portland, Maine

Wood Fired Grand Cru will once again be hosted at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm on Friday, June 12 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Cocktails will be served on the lawn followed by dinner in the antique barn. Each chef will prepare one course inspired by wood elements. Featured Chefs for this event include:

• Pichet Ong of P*ong in New York City
• Melissa Kelly of Primo in Rockland, Maine
• Mary Dumont of Harvest in Cambridge, Massachusetts
• and Anita Lo of Annisa in New York

The Cucchiara Grand Cru with Chef Pierre Gignac of Ocean in Kennebunkport, Maine, will be held on Friday, June 12th at the Cucchiara Residence.

For tickets and additional program information, including chef profiles, participating restaurants and accommodation, please visit kennebunkportfestival.com

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