The fourth annual New Haven Food & Wine Festival returns Sunday, August 21 – Thursday, August, 25, 2011 during the NewNewHavenFood&WineFestival Haven Open at Yale giving guests the chance to sample food, wine and and cocktails from more than twenty of New Haven’s top restaurants.

Events include:

BBQ Bash – Sunday, August 21 – 5:00-7:30 pm

Taking place at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, this event will feature chefs from 116 Crown, Caseus, Heirloom, Ibiza, Oaxaca Kitchen, Thali, Union League Cafe and Zinc serving up an outdoor barbeque feast. This event will feature live music. Tickets start at $35.

Mixology 101: History of the Cocktail – Monday, August 22 – 5:00-7:00 pm

New Haven’s mixologist and owner of 116 Crown – John Ginnetti – will walk you through the history of 6 classic cocktails, show you how to make them and then give you the chance to sample them. This event will be followed by an evening of dinner and tennis in the Courtside Club. Tickets at $125 and include a set of four cocktail glasses.

Champagne Tasting – Tuesday, August 23 – 5:00-7:00 pm

Join The Wine Thief for wine tasting featuring six “Grower’s Champagnes” from France. The event will teach you how champagne is made and show you what to look for when selecting champagne. This event will be followed by an evening of dinner and tennis in the Courtside Club. Tickets are $125 and include a set of champagne glasses.

Grand Tasting – Wednesday, August 24 – 5:00 – 7:30 pm

This event features  dishes from twenty of New Haven’s top restaurants including Union League Cafe, Zinc, Caseus, Barcelona, and Basta Trattoria. Tickets are $120 and include a box seat ticket.

Vineyard Vines Ladies’ Day Luncheon and Fashion Show – Thursday, August 25 – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Hosted by Island Time, this luncheon features a New Haven-themed menu for a tasty and enjoyable ladies’ afternoon. A fashion show debuting the season’s Vineyard Vines’ “back to school” styles will follow lunch. Tickets are $105 for individuals and $600 for 6 and include a box seat tennis ticket, gift bag and door prize.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

– guest contributor