Food and wine fest set to launch Portland debut

PORTLAND, Maine - Many people, when they think of Maine, think of tourism and seafood. The first Harvest on the Harbor food and wine festival aims to marry those two strengths in an event slated for next weekend at five venues around the city, which organizers hope will underscore Portland's emergence as a foodie destination.

The fest will include food and wine tastings, wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, tapings of the syndicated show "The Chef's Kitchen," a culinary retail marketplace, and wine dinners and celebrations, small and large.

More than 50 of the state's leading chefs and restaurateurs will be on hand, including some James Beard Foundation award winners and recipients of Food & Wine magazine's best new chef honors.

"Culinary tourism is so prevalent across the country, it's an event whose time has come in Portland," said Barbara Whitten, director of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is producing the event.

Maine's seafood is justly famous, and this event aims to highlight the quality of locally produced vegetables and artisanal foods.

The gala's closing event Sunday will feature the seafood creations of two 2004 James Beard Foundation award-winning chefs, including Sam Hayward of Fore Street Restaurant in Portland, who took best chef of the Northeast in 2004, and David Pasternack of Esca in Manhattan.

Harvest on the Harbor, Oct. 23-25, various sites around Portland, harvestontheharbor.com. Events from $35 to $150, or $350 for all-inclusive package.

PAUL E. KANDARIAN