Excitement is growing for the sixth annual Taste of Tulalip, a major event that is widely recognized as one of the top Northwest foodie and wine “happenings.”

The superb reputation of Tulalip Resort Casino is underlined every year at this event, when its food and wine maestros — Executive Chef Perry Mascitti and his fabulous team of chefs, and Sommelier Tommy Thompson — unveil an explosion of flavors and aromas that merge into a premium, five-star experience.

This year, Food Network star Ming Tsai will prepare some signature dishes to complement pours at the Magnum party on Saturday Nov. 15, featuring  samples of limited and rare vintages from 21 elite wineries, including Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Krug Clos du Mesnil, Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, Harlan Estate, Penfolds Grange, Chateau Lynch-Bages, Verite “La Muse,” M. Chapoutier L’Ermitage  Blanc, and CIRQ Pinot Noir.

Here are highlights of the other events planned this year:

The weekend kicks-off with Friday night’s multi-course Celebration Dinner, paired with premium wines from around the globe: Schramsberg Vineyards, Alleromb, Kosta Browne, Leonetti Cellar, Rasa Vineyards, and Inniskillin. This year’s Featured Winemaker is Sean Boyd of Woodinville Wine Cellars.

Saturday is action-packed with wine and food demos, chef challenges, a wine seminar, Rock & Roll Challenge, the Magnum party and the Grand Taste, featuring more than 120 wineries from Washington, Oregon, California, New Zealand and Germany, along with a craft beer “pool garden.” Washington state wineries include the stellar Quilceda Creek and Figgins.

Saturday’s “All Access” ticket is priced at $350 per person; the Celebration Dinner tickets cost $195 and the Grand Taste tickets are $95.

More details and tickets are available at the Taste of Tulalip website. Mark your calendars for Nov. 14 & 15 — we hope to see you there!

Cheers!