Saturday evening’s menu featured deviled eggs, bison short ribs with gremolata crust, pumpkin risotto with black truffle, a selection of local Montana cheese, and a decadent chocolate dessert, among others. PHOTO BY TIMOTHY BEHUNIAK
BIG SKY – Dozens of resort guests and Montana locals attended Big Sky’s annual Guild of Sommelier dinner on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Summit Hotel’s Peaks Restaurant. The intimate evening included fine-dining paired with quality wines, prepared by Google Global Program Chef Scott Giambastiani, ProStart culinary interns, and Master Sommelier Jay Fletcher.
Vine and Dine, which began as a summer event several years ago through collaboration among Chef Giambastiani, Sommeliers Fred Dame and Jay Fletcher, and Big Sky’s Director of Beverage and Entertainment Steve Merlino, now carries into winter months under the guise of Guild of Sommelier Winter Dinner.
“Jay and I love to ski, so we wanted to see if we could come back in the winter and start the conversation earlier in the season when people are here who may not come in the summer,” Chef Giambastiani said. “The summer event is hundreds of people, whereas this is 30 or 40.”
Saturday night’s eats began with an array of hors d’oeuvres. A well-trained staff passed out a baby vegetable tartlet, then transitioned into a scrumptious deviled egg topped with domestic caviar as well as a “DLT,” or duck bacon, beet greens, tomato confit, foie gras mousse and brioche.
“I wanted the menu to showcase simple foods that highlighted what Montana has to offer, such as local game, while also mix-matching my plant-forward style,” Chef Giambastiani said. “Jay and I collaborated to match the food with the wine, and [Summit Hotel] Executive Chef Eric Holup sourced the ingredients.”
Chef Scott Giambastiani and staff thank guests for attending the Winter Guild Dinner. PHOTO BY TIMOTHY BEHUNIAK
Sommelier Jay Fletcher carefully-selected wines from the Guild of Sommelier cellars, such as a 1998 Chateauneuf Du Pape and a 2004 Chateau Branaire. With each wine and food pairing, Sommelier Fletcher enthusiastically informed guests on the reasons for pairings and the history of each bottle.
Although the food and wine menu was delicious and world-class, community involvement is what made the 2019 Winter Guild Dinner unique. “A portion of the event’s proceeds were donated to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation to help aspiring professional Sommeliers travel and learn more of the craft,” said Somm Foundation administrator and Jay Fletcher’s wife, Lynn Fletcher.
Additionally, Chef Giambastiani mentored ProStart interns, who helped prepare the evening’s menu. ProStart is an advanced-culinary high school program which trains students in the classroom and experientially in the field. One student in the program who participated in a Vine and Dine event last year now works as a cook at Google’s office in San Francisco.
“My favorite part about this event is learning new things under Chef Giambastiani,” said ProStart intern Ayla Slate. “I learned how to make risotto and it was fun to throw things together quickly that turn out amazing.”
The event is positive for the locals, too. Although it’s a secluded event at the resort, the dinner brings new culture to a small mountain town. Further, “through Vine and Dine, Scott and the staff promote Big Sky, which is great for the community,” said Big Sky local resident and event attendee Veronica Markham.
“There are a lot of places in the world that would love to have us host food and wine events, but we have the ability and the luxury to be very selective of where we like to go,” Chef Giambastiani said. “We love to come to Big Sky because of the mountain’s size, great weather, quality snow, and the intimacy of friendship and the Montana spirit in the people.”
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm