Spirited weekend

There are wine-tasting parties and there are food-tasting events. But few can compare to the St. Louis Food & Wine Experience planned for the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. The fundraiser for The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will have more than 500 wines to sample — and you can try them all.

“It’s the largest event of its kind in the region,” says Brad Graham, who handles public relations for the theater. “What that means is unlike a lot of wine and food shows, when we say you can sample up to 500 wines — and you have the stamina to do it — you can.”

A general admission ticket for $45 is all you need to get in the door, he says. Once admitted, a volunteer hands you a complimentary wine glass and a valet plate so you can “park” your glass on the corner of the plate while you visit the food vendors to try their samples. On the main stage, guest chefs will give demonstrations on preparing a wide variety of foods and give ideas for entertaining.

Main stage chefs include Christina Machamer, the winner of Fox’s 2008 “Hell’s Kitchen;” Chef Jane Butel, Tex Mex pioneer and author of Chili Madness; Chef Julius presenting recipes for your wild and mild sides; and making a return visit is Father Dominic Garramone, the former host of PBS’s “Breaking Bread with Father Dominic.”

“He’s a Benedictine monk who says we shouldn’t be afraid of baking bread,” Mr. Graham says. “And he’s highly entertaining.”

Just on Saturday, baseball fans and foodies will collide, Mr. Graham says, when St. Louis Cardinal coach Tony LaRusa gives his presentation on his new line of dressings and meat marinades. The line is all a benefit for an animal rescue foundation.

The Food and Wine Experience runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mr. Graham suggests making a cultural weekend out of it by getting tickets Saturday evening to see The Repertory Theatre’s production of “St. Joan” or “Black Bird.” Chase Park Plaza Hotel also will be offering discounts that weekend. Reservations should be made as soon as possible. More than 4,500 people are expected to sip and taste over the weekend, says Liana Kopchak, special events coordinator.

“We designed the fundraiser to attract a large number of people,” she says. “Who doesn’t love food and wine?”