Eating and drinking events in Dallas-Fort Worth, September 17-23

by Teresa Gubbins

Grapevine hosts its 23rd Annual Grapefest and Top Chef Tre Wilcox makes an appearance.

The week's top picks:

Thursday

23rd Annual Grapefest

Grapevine’s 23rd annual GrapeFest – Lone Star Grown, Internationally Known – will once again celebrate the best of Texas wine September 17, 18, 19 and 20. Come enjoy award-winning wine and culinary treats perfectly paired with the fun and excitement of Historic Downtown Grapevine at the largest wine festival in the Southwest.

Wine lovers and their families are invited to experience a number of activities, including: Grapevine Winery Tasting Room Tours, Culinary Pavilion, GrapeFest Tennis Classic, KidZone, GrapeStomp, The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic – the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation, six stages of entertainment and much more.

Come Together Culinary Event Hosted by Former Top Chef: Miami Contestant Tre Wilcox

Sample some of Tre's favorite recipes, enjoy live music, and have your purchased copy of Top Chef: The Cookbook signed by Tre. Come on, you know that copy of Top Chef: The Cookbook you purchased. What? You don't HAVE a purchased copy of Top Chef: The Cookbook? Well how you gonna get one signed if you don't have one purchased? There's only one thing left to do: Purchase a copy of Top Chef: The Cookbook. You want Tre's signature, don'tchya? Jeez.

Friday

Chocolate Walk

Chocolate + old downtown Carrollton = big win.

Saturday

Texas Wine Tribute

Gourmet gala and the ultimate salute to award-winning Texas wines and wineries. Some of the wines featured will include: Messina Hof Angel Riesling Late Harvest – 2007; Delaney Muscat Canelli – 2007; Haak Blanc Du Bois – 2008 (green label); Llano Estacado Sauvignon Blanc – 2007; La Buena Vida Redheaded Stepchild Sangria – NV; Brennen Viognier 2008; Cross Timbers Viv Mi Amor Cabernet Sauvignon – 2006; Sunset Proprietor’s Reserve - Barrel Select Blend – 2004; and Paulo Port Texas – 2004.

Sunday

State Fair of Texas Chili Cook-off

Pre-registration not required. Cooking area on parking lot by the Livestock Barn only, small spaces available. Gates open at 6 a.m. Enter Lagow Gate from Fitzhugh Avenue. No overnight camping. Free Fair entry for contestants. Limited space available — first come, first served; $15 entry fee.

Milestone Third Sunday Farmers Market

Visitors at the Milestone Farmers Market will have the opportunity to taste the difference in local, pasture-raised beef, pork, and chicken from two EatGreenDFW.com producers: Dominion Farms from Denison and JZJ Natural Beef from Troy.

Both producers will be offering samples of their products for tasting at the market, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m