Meet the Chefs Bringing Flavor & Excitement to the 2026 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

There are few culinary pleasures more satisfying than discovering the perfect pairing. A bold Cabernet that elevates a perfectly grilled rib-eye steak. A crisp Riesling that brightens every bite of seafood. A buttery Chardonnay that transforms triple-cream cheeses. At the 25th Annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, every sip tells a story—but it’s the food that completes it.

Perfectly Paired.

Celebrating 25 years of amazing wine & food events, the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival returns on September 12–13 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck! You’ll have the chance to taste your way through hundreds of New York wines, ciders, craft beverages, gourmet foods, and artisan specialties while discovering firsthand why great food and great wine belong together.

Throughout the weekend, professional chefs, mixologists, and culinary personalities will take the stage to share techniques, recipes, entertaining stories, and pairing inspiration you can recreate at home.

One of the festival’s biggest draws each year is the Culinary Stage, where some of the region’s most accomplished chefs share their passion, creativity, and expertise. This year’s lineup brings together an exceptional mix of celebrated restaurateurs, television personalities, award-winning culinary professionals, and hospitality leaders. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your cooking skills, discover new recipes, master the art of food and wine pairing, or simply enjoy an entertaining demonstration, these chefs promise to inspire every kind of food lover.

Grab a seat, take notes, ask questions, and discover new recipes and pairings before heading out to taste the wines, spirits, ciders, and gourmet specialties that make the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival one of New York’s premier food-and-wine celebrations.

Chef Marcus Guiliano: Champion of Sustainable Flavor

Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author, and food activist Marcus Guiliano has built a national reputation by proving that incredible meals begin with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. As co-founder of the acclaimed Aroma Thyme Bistro, he’s spent more than two decades championing local farms, sustainable agriculture, and ethical food practices while inspiring chefs and home cooks alike to think differently about what’s on their plates.

During his festival presentation, Guiliano shares more than recipes—he offers a fresh perspective on cooking with purpose. You’ll leave with practical ideas for creating flavorful dishes, making smarter ingredient choices, and pairing fresh seasonal foods with wines that let every flavor shine.

Chef Ric Orlando: A Hudson Valley Culinary Legend Returns

Few chefs have shaped the Hudson Valley dining scene quite like Chef Ric Orlando. A two-time Chopped champion, Bobby Flay challenger, and the creative force behind the beloved New World Home Cooking, Orlando has spent decades introducing diners to bold global flavors, fearless experimentation, and unforgettable hospitality. This summer, he’s launching his highly anticipated new restaurant, Accord Social, a vibrant Italian-inspired gathering place designed to be “the Hudson Valley’s living room,” where exceptional food meets community and connection.

At the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, expect Orlando to bring the same infectious energy that has made him one of the region’s most beloved chefs. His cooking demonstrations are equal parts education and entertainment, filled with practical techniques, colorful stories, and plenty of inspiration for pairing great food with great wine.

Chef Vincent Tropepe: Culinary Craft Meets the Art of Hospitality

Award-winning chef, author, restaurant consultant, and hospitality advocate Vincent Tropepe brings decades of professional kitchen experience—and a much broader perspective on what makes a meal memorable—to this year’s festival. The Brooklyn-born Italian American chef has worked in celebrated restaurants including The Rainbow Room, Sardi’s, SD26, and The 21 Club, building a career defined by technical discipline, culinary creativity, and a deep respect for hospitality.

Tropepe is also a five-time culinary gold medalist and the author of books exploring both professional cooking and the essential human elements behind a successful dining experience. Today, as Executive Director of the Hospitality Mental Wellness Initiative USA, he is working to create a healthier and more supportive culture for the people behind the food we love.

At the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, guests can expect a demonstration shaped by Tropepe’s extensive experience, engaging personality, and belief that great hospitality involves far more than what arrives on the plate. Attend his demo for culinary insight, professional techniques, and a fresh appreciation for the connection between food, service, and the shared experience of gathering around the table.

Chef J. Jackson: Big Personality, Bigger Flavor

If you’ve seen Chef J. Jackson on Beat Bobby Flay or Cutthroat Kitchen, you already know he brings enthusiasm, creativity, and plenty of personality to every kitchen he enters. As a private chef, caterer, speaker, and author, Jackson combines professional techniques with approachable recipes that anyone can recreate at home.

His cooking demonstrations are lively, engaging, and packed with practical tips that help home cooks gain confidence in the kitchen. Whether he’s sharing clever shortcuts or showing how to elevate everyday ingredients, Jackson makes cooking feel fun—and even better when paired with the perfect glass of wine.

Debbie Gioquindo: The Hudson Valley Wine Goddess

Known throughout the region as the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, Debbie Gioquindo has dedicated her career to celebrating New York wines and making wine education approachable, engaging, and fun. A Poughkeepsie native and respected wine educator, she has served in leadership roles with the Shawangunk Wine Trail and Hudson Valley Wine Country and has earned numerous certifications in wine and travel.

At this year’s Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, Gioquindo will share her expertise, insider knowledge, and passion for New York’s wine industry, offering guests a deeper appreciation for the wines, wineries, and stories that make the Hudson Valley a premier wine destination.

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Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas for your next dinner party, hoping to sharpen your cooking skills, or simply love watching talented chefs work their magic, the cooking demonstrations are among the festival’s most popular attractions—and for good reason. They’re entertaining, educational, and guaranteed to leave you hungry for more.

Pair that with unlimited tastings, more than 300 vendors, live music, craft beverages, artisan shopping, and two days celebrating the very best of New York’s food and wine culture, and you’ve got one unforgettable weekend.

Come hungry, bring your curiosity, and secure your tickets early—the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is the place where every great bite finds its perfect pour.

Photos courtesy of Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

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 CELEBRATING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS!

Twenty-five years is a milestone worth celebrating. Whether you’re coming for the wine, the food, the music, the shopping, or simply the atmosphere, the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival delivers one of the region’s most beloved annual experiences. Gather your friends, secure your tickets, and get ready to spend a weekend tasting your way through the very best the Hudson Valley has to offer.

2026 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

September 12–13, 2026
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY
Get Tickets HERE

Follow @hudsonvalleywinefest

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Done in Collaboration with the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival 2026