Attend the ilani BrewFest over Presidents’ Day weekend

February 4, 2024 By Jon Abernathy | Filed in Events

This Presidents’ Day weekend, the ilani BrewFest returns to the ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield, Washington. While the core of the event is a beer festival, it’s also built around food and celebrity chefs and features additional dinners and tasting events throughout the weekend.

Tying in to the local brewing community, the Northbank Brewers Alliance will host a beer seminar on Sunday the 18th. The Alliance is made up of brewers from Vancouver, Washington and surrounding areas on the north bank of the Columbia River; I expect they will be well represented at the brewfest in general.

It runs from Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18. Here are the details from the press release:

Presidents Day weekend is made for beer lovers, as ilani’s annual BrewFest returns Feb. 15-18. The event will feature hundreds of beers, seltzers, ciders, spirits, and wines from a wide range of local and national makers as well as live cooking demonstrations from a highly touted group of 13 celebrity chefs. With 14 different events, ilani BrewFest is a party guests won’t want to miss. Tickets for all ilani BrewFest events are on sale now, and can be purchased at ilaniBrewFest.com.

The Chefs

ilani BrewFest features celebrity chefs and household names in the culinary industry. Headliners include Robert Irvine, Gregory Gourdet, Antonia Lofaso and Jet Tila, whose cooking skills will be on display throughout the weekend’s events.

Irvine, a world-class chef, entrepreneur and philanthropic supporter of the military, is best known as the host of Food Network’s hit show, “Restaurant: Impossible.” Irvine has two restaurants to his name, Robert Irvine’s Public House at the Tropicana and Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine at the Pentagon.

Gourdet, one of Portland’s most recognizable chefs, is the chef and founder of Sousòl and Kann, the 2023 James Beard Foundation Award winner for best new restaurant. His book, “Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health,” won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Book Award for best general cookbook. Gourdet has appeared on hit shows such as “Top Chef,” “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Iron Chef.”

Lofaso is a chef, television personality, author and mother. The owner of three restaurants, including DAMA, Scopa Italian Roots and Black Market Liquor Bar, Lofaso also owns and operates a catering business and Chefletics, a chef apparel brand. In addition to her business operations, the entrepreneur has been featured on television programs such as “Top Chef,” “Restaurant Startup” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.”

The inaugural Culinary Ambassador for Thai Cuisine, Tila is a chef, culinary anthropologist, entrepreneur and television star. The Emmy and James Beard award nominee has worked with culinary teams such as Pei Wei Group, Compass Group, Schwan’s, and NBCUniversal/DreamWorks, and he is the managing partner of Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. Tila has also been featured on numerous shows, including “Iron Chef America,” “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Chopped.”

In addition to Irvine, Gourdet, Lofaso and Tila, a growing number of chefs will be featured throughout the festival, including Alex Belew, Tracey Bloom, Kevin Des Chenes, Matt Groark, Doug Adams, Mary Cressler, Sean Martin, Melissa Cottingham and Brian Duffy. More information about the chefs and their events is available at ilaniBrewFest.com.

The Events

Spanning mouthwatering dinners, elevated tastings, celebrity brunches, beer seminars and the Pacific Northwest’s favorite oyster shucking competition, ilani BrewFest weekend is filled with can’t-miss events. Plus, event attendees receive $10 in Promo Play to hit their favorite slots or table games. Additional event details and pricing are available at ilaniBrewFest.com.

Beers, Bourbon & Burgers Dinner (Feb. 15, 7 p.m., The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill)
Guests can sink their teeth into a selection of artisan burgers, bold and bursting with flavor and prepared by Alex Belew and Doug Adams. Burgers are paired with local craft artisan beers and world-class bourbons. Tickets are $49 per person.

Bourbon & Beer Pairing Dinner (Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse)
This event features a specially prepared three-course dinner from the Michael Jordan’s Steak House culinary team. Each course is paired with specialty craft ales and bourbon selections. Tickets are $89 per person.

Celebrity Chef Dine-Around (Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Cowlitz Ballroom)
Foodies have the chance to see locally and nationally acclaimed celebrity chefs in action. Each chef will demonstrate the preparation of signature dishes and pair them with premium craft brews, wines and cocktails. Tickets are $109 per person.

Beer, Bubbles & Bloodies Brunch (Feb. 17 and Feb. 18, 10 a.m. and noon, Bella Vista)
Classic sweet and savory brunch favorites will be served with a choice of boozy beverages: hoppy and malty beers or something from the Bloody Mary bar, featuring select vodka and tequila. Tickets are $75 per person.

Grand Tasting (Feb. 17, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Cowlitz Ballroom)
Attendees can enjoy hundreds of outstanding local craft beers, foreign and domestic beers, seltzers, ciders, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails while experiencing live celebrity chef demonstrations. Tickets for either Saturday session are $59 per person, and tickets for the Sunday session are $49 per person.

Oyster Open (Feb. 18, 3 p.m., Cowlitz Ballroom, included in Sunday’s Grand Tasting session)
At the ilani BrewFest Oyster Open, contestants race to be the first to open 24 oysters to present on the half shell in perfect condition. This lively and fun competition is hosted and judged by the ilani BrewFest celebrity chefs.

Michael Joran’s Steak House Select Bourbon Barrel Tasting (Feb. 17, 3 p.m., Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse)
Sip and sample from Michael Jordan’s Steak House’s select bourbon barrels with Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark, paired with expertly crafted hors d’oeuvres from the Michael Jordan’s Steak House culinary team. Tickets are $75 per person.

Tequila & Taco Tasting (Feb. 17, 4 p.m., Cowlitz Junior Ballroom)
Guests can experience a variety of premium tequilas and elevated, mouthwatering taco bites. This event is an ideal conclusion to the first Grand Tasting session and an even better start to the second Grand Tasting session. Tickets are $60 per person or included with a Saturday Grand Tasting ticket in the $99 Combo Pass.

Bourbon & Bites Tasting (Feb, 17, 9 p.m., Cowlitz Junior Ballroom)
Featuring Chef Kevin Des Chenes, this tasting allows attendees to indulge in a selection of premium bourbons and featured appetizers. This is the perfect way to conclude a BrewFest evening or get the night started for an unforgettable ilani experience. Tickets are $60 per person or included with a Saturday Grand Tasting ticket in the $99 Combo Pass.

Northbank Brewers Alliance Beer Seminar (Feb. 18, 2 p.m., Bamboo 8)
Award-winning brewers host an intimate conversation about the brewing process. Guests can drink craft brews, learn what it would take to make their own and hear about the latest trends. Tickets are $29 per person.

ABOUT ILANI:

Located on the Cowlitz Reservation in Ridgefield, Washington, ilani, developed by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan, a partnership that includes the Mohegan Tribe, one of the world’s foremost gaming and entertainment developers and operators, is the Pacific Northwest’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment, and meeting destination. With nearly 400,000 total square feet, ilani includes more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space with nearly 3,000 slots and 75 gaming tables; 15 different restaurants, bars and retail outlets; and a 2,500-seat meeting and entertainment venue hosting nationally recognized performances. For more information, visit ilaniresort.com and follow ilani on Facebook, X and Instagram.