By Times Chronicle Staff
A highlight of the spring event calendar, the Pig Out Festival returns to the heart of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country on the weekend of May 2-4, featuring everything pork paired with the best wines the South Okanagan has to offer.
Local and guest chefs will unite to showcase their culinary talents under the new theme “When Pigs Fly” in a relaxed outdoor setting surrounded by vines at Cellar Door & More, home to award-winning Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin, just north of Oliver.
The event brings together the region’s top chefs and wineries for a mouthwatering afternoon of pork-themed dishes, wine, and entertainment, including live comedy theatre in the vineyard from the South Okanagan Amateur Players (SOAP) Society, along with fun games for the whole family.
Think juicy ribs, flavourful pulled pork, and freshly grilled sausages, all paired with the region’s top-notch wines.
Tickets include tastings of new releases and award-winning wines, unlimited culinary treats from local and guest chefs, an artisan market, live theatre and music and activities and entertainment for the whole family.
The porky perfection will be provided by Chef Shawn Cheer, Arterra Wines (Oliver), Chef Adair Scott, Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek Estate Winery (Oliver), Olivier Mainville, Pit Stop Smokery (Osoyoos), Chef Javier Blanc, The Paella Guys (Vancouver), Stuart Rolland, Rolland’s Meats (Vancouver), Two Rivers Meats (Vancouver) and Manzil Restaurant at Kismet Estate Winery (Oliver) and more.
Tickets are $109 plus tax for adults, $45 plus tax for youth aged 13-18, $25 plus tax for youth aged 2-12. Transportation tickets cost $15 per guest, with pick ups in Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Okanagan Falls.
The festival of all things pork and wine kicks off on Friday, May 2, with Kismet Estate Winery hosting the Pig Out Guest Chef Dinner.
Kismet’s Manzil Restaurant will host the event with an elegant family-style dinner offering a blend of East Indian flavours paired with wines from Kismet’s award-winning portfolio, along with other notable wines from the region.
The menu includes Masala Pulled Pork Naan Crostini with Spiced Yogurt, Aromatic Spiced Chicken & Saffron Egg Biryani with Raita and Gulab Jamun with Indian Chai or an Espresso Chai Martini.
Throughout the evening, guests will hear from three acclaimed winemakers, Manpreet Dhaliwal (Kismet Estate Winery), Ted Kane (River Stone Estate Winery), and Stefanie Dylla (Domaine Artema Estate Winery), who will share insights into their craft.
The ticket includes wines from Kismet Estate Winery and others from the region, a reception with East Indian street food and entertainment and a four course dinner paired with local wines.
Tickets are priced at $129.99 plus tax per guest.
Other events during the weekend-long Pig Out Festival include “Comedy in the Cellar” on Saturday, May 3, from 7-9 p.m. as Nostalgia Wines holds its second comedy event. The Law of Attraction Food Truck will be on site as well. Tickets are $36.75 per person.
To wrap up the weekend, Hester Creek Estate Winery’s Terrafina Restaurant will be hosting the “Bring Home the Bacon” Pig Out lunch, with additional bacon-themed menu items curated by Chef Adair Scott.
Visit the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country website for more information and tickets.
