Attendees To Enjoy The Barker Company Espresso Martini Seminar & Speed Challenge
https://medium.com/relentlessawareness/celebrity-photographer-nigel-barker-showcasing-his-new-cocktail-at-the-2025-albany-wine-dine-for-fc74eff07b03
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 9, 2024) — The Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival will be joined by celebrity photographer, entrepreneur, and New York Times Best-Selling Author Nigel Barker at their 16th Annual Festival being held January 23–25, 2025. Barker will appear at Friday’s Grand Tastings and Slider Slam! while festival attendees will be able to sample The Barker Company’s newest products at the Albany Capital Center throughout the weekend.
During Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts, Barker will be presenting a seminar based around his popular Espresso Martini at Friday’s Grand Tasting. The Seminar will conclude with a SPEED Challenge featuring top Capital Region bartenders putting their own spin on the iconic cocktail.
Most known from his 17 seasons as judge and photographer on the hit show America’s Next Top Model and after 130 episodes of his hit “Shaken & Stirred” podcast, Barker is redefining the cocktail experience along with beverage industry veteran Philippe Roederer, former VP of Sales for Clicquot Inc., CEO of Voss Water and CMO of Remy Cointreau, alongside the country’s finest mixologists, bartenders, and baristas.
The Barker Company Espresso Martini is a meticulously crafted vegan blend of 100% Colombian espresso, six times distilled vodka, and premium ingredients. The result is a perfectly balanced cocktail delivering a rich, smooth, and indulgent taste with 20% ABV.
Festival festivities begin on Thursday, Jan. 23 with the Mayor’s Kickoff Reception at the New York State Museum, which recognizes the hard work and dedication of community leaders within the City of Albany. The Grand Tastings and Seminars, presented by National Bank of Coxsackie, will host 100 vendors from near and far to showcase their culinary delights and innovative libations on both Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25.
The Slider Slam! competition, which follows Friday’s tastings, presents a host of Capital Region restaurants that will compete for the Slider Slam! championship belt. The three-day festival concludes with the Grand Gala Reception and Five-Course Dinner. The theme of the 2025 Grand Gala is a ‘Taste of Italy’, where a team of signature chefs will curate a gourmet five-course menu for guests. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on luxurious auction items and experiences.
The Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival will also be hosting “Wine & Dine and Brunch.” in collaboration with Hattie’s Restaurants. This ticketed brunch event will take place on Sunday, January 26, at the newly opened Hattie’s Restaurant in Albany, NY. Seating is limited for the two brunch sessions, so attendees are encouraged to reserve their spots early to experience this exclusive and memorable conclusion to the festival.
General Admission and VIP packages are now on sale on the website starting at $75. All net proceeds support the non-profit arts community in Albany.
For more information about the festival, ticket availability and sponsorships, visit albanywinefest.com.
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About Albany Wine and Dine for the Arts: Their mission is to provide sustainable funding for the support and preservation of the not-for-profit arts community in Albany, New York, through an annual three-day food and wine-themed festival that markets restaurants, chefs, and their innovative cuisine, educates consumers on healthy, sustainable agriculture, and donates the net income directly to deserving nonprofit arts organizations. albanywinefest.com