SUMMIT, NJ – An all-encompassing wine and food festival has been scheduled for Summit from July 24 through July 26 at The Grand Summit Hotel.

The first annual Summit Wine & Food Festival idea was spearheaded by, and is currently being organized by, sommelier and wine shop owner, Ivan Ruiz of The Wine List of Summit. Ruiz has scheduled an all-star lineup of celebrity chefs, culinary personalities and sommeliers for Summit’s upcoming festival.

Chefs and culinary personalities attending include: Ingrid Hoffmann of the Food Network TV show Simply Delicioso, distinguished chef and television personality Michael Lomonaco of Porter House New York, Craig Shelton of Whitehouse, New Jersey’s acclaimed The Ryland Inn, and culinary historian, food columnist for The Miami Herald and restaurateur and chef for Zafra and Cucharamama of Hoboken, Dr. Maricel Presilla.

Sommeliers include: Heather Branch of Eighty One restaurant in New York, wine consultant and journalist Randy Caparoso, wine lecturer and past Tasting Director for The Wine Enthusiast Chuck Simeone, and sommelier and wine director for The PlumpJack Group, Gillian Ballance. Participating chefs and sommeliers have been continuing to join the roster.

A portion of all net proceeds will benefit Sage Eldercare, The American Red Cross local chapters, Overlook Hospital Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Junior League.

The idea was conceptualized when Ruiz began walking around downtown Summit in January 2009, where he noted stores closing and 40 percent less foot traffic due to the current economic conditions. Ruiz approached Summit’s Mayor Jordan Glatt and the Common Council with the idea of the wine and food festival as a morale booster and to increase local business within the community. Ruiz said Glatt was very supportive of the idea, and Councilmember Diane Klaif has also volunteered to assist with the event logistics.

The festival has additionally been embraced by world renowned wine importer, Robert Chadderdon, one of the sponsors, who believes so strongly in the event, it is the first he has ever sponsored. "In the wine world he (Chadderdon) is unbelievable," said Ruiz, who notes how Chadderdon is very selective of those he chooses to carry his wines.

Ruiz said one of the events scheduled for the festival is the Rare Wine Dinner on Saturday evening, July 25th. The dinner will highlight the talents of three top chefs who will prepare nine courses for attendees. Cognac and cigars can also be enjoyed and Ruiz describes a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for participants to try twelve different collectible Chadderdon wines.

Details for this event are still being finalized. Throughout the weekend, other events include culinary classes, wine and cheese discussions, seminars, gala wine tastings, a brunch, book signings (which will be at Ruiz’s The Wine List of Summit on 417 Springfield Avenue in Summit), The Latin Stars Pool Party (a party with Latino food prepared by top Latin Chefs and accompanied by Mojitos and Capirinhas), and The First Feedbag Burger Summit, hosted by Josh Ozersky of Citysearch’s The Feedbag. The First Feedbag Burger Summit, said Ruiz, will be an Iron Chef-style competition with twenty five different chefs preparing burgers for judging by participants and appointed judges. There will also be after-hour parties by invitation only. All attendees will receive badges which will specify their event access levels.

According to Ruiz, the event will receive local and national television coverage. "It is first named Summit Wine & Food Festival because of the top notch chefs and sommeliers who will be a part of this event," Ruiz said, "and secondly because it is being held in the city of Summit."

For a full list of events, chefs, sommeliers and further information, see the website: http://www.summitwineandfood.com

Ruiz anticipates the event to become an annual tradition, and if it does, it will be the fifth largest event in terms of amount of chefs. He urges ticket purchases be made in advance. Space is limited per event and tickets start at $90 (Sunday Brunch admission is $100 and Lunch and Dinner start at $250). Tickets will go on sale May 20 and can be purchased online at http://www.summitwineandfood.com/tickets.html  or by phone: (908) 277-6565.

The Wine List of Summit’s website is: http://www.winelistsummit.com. Ruiz has over 24 years experience in the wine and restaurant industries and has been a regular guest speaker at international wine events and on television programs. He is a certified sommelier with the Master Court of Sommeliers and the Sommelier Society of America. He is also a columnist with The Alternative Press and his column, Winespeak, can be read at: http://www.thealternativepress.com/column.asp?COL=ws&ID=11