FORT WORTH, Texas — After an 18-month COVID-related delay, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival returns this weekend. The Fort Worth Food + Wine Fall Edition culinary event series (Oct. 22-24) at Clearfork Heart of the Ranch will reunite local foodies with some of the area’s best chefs serving world-class food.

This season’s festival includes events featuring everything from a Bluegrass brunch featuring Southern favorites paired with live music to a game day open-flame tailgate party and a special rendition of the annual festival favorite event featuring the best in tacos. The three-day mini-festival is a celebration of all things food and specialty beverages in North Texas.


What You Need To Know

  • The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival returns after an 18-month delay

  • The Fall Edition features three signature events, including a taco and beer party, gourmet game day event and a bluegrass brunch

  • The festival supports the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, which has awarded more than $115,000 to out-of-work restaurant workers over the past 18 months

  • Guests can also sponsor a chef to help make up lost money from the pandemic

Aside from a celebration of local foodies, the festival is a charitable event at its core. During its time off, the Foundation has awarded more than $115,000 in direct contributions to chefs and restaurants facing extraordinary hardships in the face of COVID-19 to ensure that talented people and beloved places thrive. The launch of the Fall Edition will help to ensure that this vital community support continues to provide assistance where it is needed most. 

"The incredible foundation board, our team of amazing chefs and myself are so excited for the opportunity to bring the Festival back to life this year,” said FWFWF Executive Director Julie Eastman. “We have worked together over the past 18 months to support each other and now we are ready to say ‘thank you’ to the community that helped us get through the hardships. This special Fall Edition will deliver not only the best culinary experience Fort Worth has to offer, but will also be a great way to invite our family, friends and supporters back to the table to celebrate the resilience, talent and passion of our entire Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation team." 

The Fort Worth Food + Wine Fall Edition will feature more than 40 chefs in three signature events, including:

Taco. Beer. Repeat. — Friday, Oct. 22, 5:30-9 p.m.  

Experience the best tacos and beer Funkytown has to offer, from the traditional to the inventive. This event features 18 chefs and 20 beverage vendors. The ticket covers all of the food and beverages you can (responsibly) consume at the event.

Gameday Gourmet — Saturday, Oct. 23, 1:30-5 p.m. 

On Saturday, 18 chefs will prepare tailgate favorites from sliders to a variety of meats cooked over live fire. Enjoy Texas craft beers, wines and spirits from 20 different beverage vendors. Ticket covers all of the food and beverages you can (responsibly) consume at the event.

Bluegrass Brunch  Sunday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Southern cooking and a live Bluegrass band will be on offer during the festival’s final event. Enjoy drinks and appetizers before sharing brunch at community tables. The seated five-course feast is a collaboration of six gifted chefs and includes various beverage pairings. 

Tickets for all three events are currently available for purchase at fwfwf.com. Starting at $100, each event offers a unique lineup of menu options and one-of-a-kind experiences. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend any of the Fall Edition events. 

For epicureans seeking ways to support their favorite chefs beyond the price of entry, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation is launching a unique sponsorship program designed to give back. This year, all restaurant partners can be sponsored by individuals and businesses in the community to help bridge the financial gaps created by the pandemic.

The Fort Worth Food + Wine Fall Edition has taken extra precautions to ensure the festival is a safe and positive place for participating food, beverage and event participants. Following the CDC guidelines, each specialty event includes reduced capacity, outdoor venue, opportunities for social distancing and widely accessible sanitation stations.