I’ve been to countless food festivals over the years, and I’ve always said that the first year for each is the most fun. The first time out, everyone is so excited and while there might be a bump or two in the execution, the energy and enthusiasm make up for it.

One of my favorite festivals was the first Best Memphis Burger, held on a rainy and unseasonably cool day in September in a crowded parking lot. The festival got bigger and better organized, but that first one was just so much fun.

On Sunday, June 23, Cristina McCarter adds to the lineup of food fests with the Craft Food & Wine Festival. There are two sessions and VIP tickets available, and I like her concept. It’s mostly wine and charcuterie, but look for local beer and cider, too, and the food is not exclusively meat.

Here’s how it will work: Buy your tickets online for the 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. session by clicking here (the 4 p.m. has only a few tickets left, so jump to it if you want to go then). When you arrive, you’ll be given a wine glass and a bamboo board (with a notch for your glass, so you can keep one hand free for eating), and you’ll walk around, sampling whatever you want. The vendors will serve directly to your board and if you want more, go back. Build a nice plate, eat, drink, visit, repeat as desired.

Some participants serving meat and cheese include City Block Salumeria, Bari, A Moveable Feast and The Grove Grill. Miss Cordelia’s will bring goat cheese and truffles; you’ll get feta dip and olives from The Grecian Gourmet, pretzels and bagels from Dave’s Bagels, petits fours from Prima’s Bakery, and gelato from Sweet Magnolia. There are 36 vendors and in the VIP lounge, food prepared by Dave Krog and plenty of cocktails, courtesy of Southern Glazer’s.

The tickets are also very reasonable, and you can hear McCarter talk a bit about that when you tune into the Destination: Delicious podcast. (Stream it below or via your favorite podcast service.) Each session is $60, and if you want the VIP package, where you get full access to the lounge and both tastings, it’s $115. The event is at The Columns, One Commerce Square.

Speaking of festivals …

Last year Memphis Food & Wine Festival held a series of dinners in local restaurants instead of a big party, but this year it’s back with a major event.

Expect a festive night at Memphis Botanic Garden featuring more than 20 local chefs, including Jose Gutierrez, Erling Jensen, Wally Joe, Ben Smith and Patrick Reilly. Visiting chefs include Ken Frank of La Toque in Napa, Michael Smith of Farina and Extra Virgin in Kansas City, Missouri, and Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, plus more than a dozen others.

Numerous wineries will be on hand. Tickets are $200 and $250 for seated spots, the latter sold in pairs. Click here to get yours now.

A new spot Downtown

3rd & Court in Hotel Indigo opens at 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 17. Ryan Trimm’s new place features daily breakfast, daily specials, sandwiches, salads and a lounge menu of snacks, as well as a full bar. Click here to read more about the restaurant and click here to listen to last week’s podcast with Trimm.