The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival takes place from April 4-7, 2024 to highlight incredible chefs, brewers, and vintners. For more information and to attend visit www.FWFWF.org.
Michael Fojtasek, Tom Perini, Pat Sharpe,and Rodrigo Cárdenas at the Beyond Borders event presented by Visit Fort Worth, Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, TX Whiskey, and Texas Monthly.
Photo by Randi Reding

On Saturday, January 27, the TX Whiskey Ranch wasn’t just full of whiskey barrels, but a crowd of over 150 people celebrating the unique southwestern cuisine our state has to offer. Presented by Visit Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation ,and TX Whiskey, the event brought together three chefs, Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Rodrigo Cárdenas of Don Artemio Mexican Heritage, and Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie and Maie Day.

The evening began with seasonal cocktails from TX Whiskey and La Pulga Tequila, with the local musical favorites, the Squeezebox Bandits, playing to the crowd on the patio of the TX Whiskey distillery.

Crema bicolor de huitalocoche y tamal by Chef Cárdenas.Photo by Randi Reding

Chef Cárdenas, originally from Mexico, has led the Don Artemio team to new heights, landing a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2022, and winning the best new restaurant in Fort Worth in 2023. Chef Cárdenas and his team brought Flaso Mejillon (mussels with blue corn fried masa), Huitlacoche (a delicacy in Mexico similar to truffles) with Corn Tamal Soup, and an exquisite dulce de leche dessert.

Prime rib wrapped Peking duck with brown butter squash and braised cabbage by Chef Fojtasek.Photo by Randi Reding

Chef Fojtasek, the Austin chef and restaurateur, did not disappoint with his sweet St. Louis ribs, Peking duck, and a sweet potato custard to end the evening. The Peking duck was wrapped in his signature prime rib, and the braised cabbage complimented the entrée beautifully.

Chef Perini’s mesquite smoked peppered beef tenderloin with green chile hominy and roasted vegetables.Photo by Randi Reding

The Perini Ranch Steakhouse team brought their beef tenderloin fan-favorite for the final entrée, but their Jalapeno bites and bread pudding desserts were also crowd pleasers. A longtime friend of the Perinis, Dr. Richard Becker, paired each course with his award-winning Hill Country wine to much delight.

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival takes place from April 4-7, 2024 to highlight incredible chefs, brewers, and vintners. Five signature events, Tacos + Tequila, The Main Event, Rise + Dine, Burgers, Brews + Blues and Ring of Fire, will take place at Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork in Fort Worth with hundreds of food, wine, beer, and cocktail tastings 

Proceeds from the festival go to the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds for local grant programs and culinary scholarships. For more information and to attend the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, visit www.FWFWF.org.