‘The peak of taste’ to gather nearly 50 Michelin-star restaurants in Big Sky
By Mira Brody VP MEDIA
Fans of food, wine luxury and Michelin stars will get their fill next fall with the debut of the Big Sky Food and Wine Festival on Sept. 25-26, 2026. The event will bring two days of chef-led demos, curated wine experiences, live music and scenic, open-air tastings to the Big Sky Events Arena in Big Sky Town Center.
Touted as “the peak of taste,” the festival will feature an all-star lineup including nearly 50 Michelin-star restaurants and 25 award-winning winemakers across tastings and entertaining, live-fire cooking. Event founder and CEO JD Hock, a former tech executive and co-founder of Bozeman’s Alpenglow Music Festival, said the inspiration for the event struck after his attendance at the Puerto Rican Food and Wine Festival. Imagining a similar event in Big Sky, one that joined luxury and community, he got to work.
“I pulled up a list of 30 restaurants, sent some emails, and woke up Monday to 15 responses already,” Hock said.
As of now, 42 restaurants have committed, with more expected to join before the inaugural event. Participating chefs hail from across the country, representing cities such as Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Sacramento, New York, Tampa, Boston and Atlanta.
Designed to be a world-class event that still feels intimate and familiar to the Big Sky community, the festival aims to draw between 1,500 and 2,500 guests. The September timing, Hock explained, is intentional.
“The core goal from day one was to create a world-class destination event,” he said. “The idea is that by the end of September, Big Sky clears out—it’s not the most sustainable time for local businesses. That’s why we picked the last week in September, to anchor out and bring people back to town.”
Tickets are all-inclusive, covering food, wine and experiences throughout the grounds at a location to be determined. Locals will have the opportunity for early-bird ticket specials along with community sponsorships at reduced rates. The festival also plans to source most ingredients from Montana farms and ranches, reinforcing ties to local agriculture.
“The two big things are the quality of talent and our mission. One thing that people might know through friends, but not through experience, is that Montana has quietly attracted incredible culinary talent, much of it in the form of private chefs,” Hock said, explaining that he hopes to make the scene more accessible. “We want to plant the flag that Montana is a true culinary destination.”
General admission and VIP passes are on sale now. VIP tickets include early entry, access to the VIP lounge, and exclusive tastings. Hospitality packages that bundle lodging, activities, transportation and select dining experiences are also available. The Big Sky Food & Wine Festival is a 21+ event and will run rain or shine beneath the landscape of Lone Mountain. Those interested can visit bigskyfw.com for event updates and ticket options.
