In its new partnership with IWSC Group North America, the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair, held April 6-9, delighted wine connoisseurs and foodies with award-winning local talent and world-renowned chefs from all over the country.

“IWSC has unrivaled expertise in the wine and food arena, with contacts all over the world,” said Kevin S. Simon, director of the Fred Parks Outreach Programs. “Our goal since we started this event with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sugar Land 14 years ago was to make it internationally recognized. Partnering with IWSC will bring us even closer to that level.”

The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair is a three-day culinary celebration that brings together beverage and food aficionados during dinners, tastings and seminars and to its two largest events – the Grand Tasting and the Sip & Stroll at Imperial. Proceeds go toward the permanent Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair Scholarship Endowment, which benefits Hilton College students. To date, the endowment has provided more than $25,000 in scholarships.­­­ The College is a producing partner.

This much anticipated annual event also gives our students invaluab­le volunteer opportunities to network with culinary masters and hands-on experience to learn about the areas of wine, food & beverage, marketing and operations. Approximately 100 students volunteered this year, including, from left: David Trang, Jullie Nguyen and Maggie Cai.

Cheers to Kevin; Keri Schmidt, Fort Bend Chamber CEO and president; Juliette Nesmith, festival director; the IWSC Group; our sponsors, volunteers and everyone from the Hilton College family who help make this event more spectacular each year! (Photo: Pearl Cajoles)