Whitefish Food & Wine Festival Returns September 8-14 with Expanded Lineup

The Whitefish Food & Wine festival is set to return to Montana’s Flathead Valley for its second year, taking place September 8-14, 2025, at the scenic Haskill Creek Farms. Building on the success of its 2024 debut, the event promises an expanded lineup of culinary experiences that showcase the region’s growing food and wine scene.

Co-founded by four-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Todd English alongside Whitefish entrepreneur Joe Hess and event producer Ryan Heil, the festival has quickly established itself as a premier destination for food and wine enthusiasts. English expressed his vision for the 2025 event: “Last year, we introduced a concept that fused world-class hospitality with the rustic charm and natural beauty of Whitefish. In 2025, we’re turning up the volume—more flavor, more experience, more adventure.”

The 2025 festival will feature several signature attractions, with Grand Tasting Sessions as the weekend centerpiece events:

The Grand Tasting Live Stage – A fully equipped kitchen within the main tasting tent will host live cooking demonstrations, chef competitions, and culinary masterclasses.

Nature-Forward Excursions – Unique outdoor experiences include “Sip & SUP” paddleboarding sessions, scenic hikes paired with wine and cheese picnics, and a special “Farm to Foraged to Table” dinner under the stars at Haskill Creek, led by Veritas Chef Michael Tolomeo.

Exclusive Wine Pairing Dinners – Nightly ticketed events at top local restaurants will feature celebrity guest chefs collaborating with host establishments. Themed dinners include “Peak Palate,” “Viva Italia,” “Smoke & Whiskey,” and “Barley & Grapes,” among others yet to be announced.

Grand Tasting Sessions – Taking place Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 2-6pm at Haskill Creek Farms, these centerpiece events will showcase over 100 different wines, live cooking demonstrations, head-to-head chef competitions, live music, and complimentary food from premier local restaurants. VIP ticket holders receive one hour early access, and all attendees get branded keepsake wine glasses with unlimited tasting samples. The festival expects 750-1,000 attendees daily.

The festival continues its commitment to community support, with organizers planning to announce two charity beneficiaries that will be integrated into the festival week programming. The 2024 charity beneficiaries included DREAM Adaptive and the Whitefish Ski Heritage Center & Museum .

Whitefish Food & Wine Festival is actively seeking beverage, food, and consumer exhibitors to participate in the 2025 event. Local businesses and vendors interested in showcasing their products can apply through the festival’s exhibitor registration page.

The 2024 inaugural festival generated significant media attention, earning over $13.2 million in advertising value equivalent across 79 article placements and television coverage on two regional stations. The festival’s PR campaign spans national and regional outlets, establishing Whitefish as an emerging culinary destination.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the 2025 Whitefish Food & Wine festival are currently on sale. More information and tickets are available at whitefishfoodandwine.com.

The festival represents the growing culinary sophistication of Montana’s Flathead Valley, combining the region’s natural beauty with top-tier culinary talent from across the country.