The third annual “South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival” arrives at Harrah's and Harveys Lake Tahoe, Oct. 5 – 7, for an early autumn weekend of great food, fine wine and high spirits.

Events include lots of dining and tasting experiences, plus discussions, presentations and demonstrations by celebrated food and wine experts.  Of course, food and wine are the biggest stars and a spectacular “Epicurean Expo” – featuring sumptuous dishes from Harrah's best restaurants, top-shelf spirits and the finest wines of Napa Valley and beyond – highlights the weekend.

The South Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival kicks into high gear on Friday night, Oct. 5, at Harveys Lake View Lounge with “Around the World with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay,” hosted by master sommelier Jay James.   Then the big dinner that night at Harveys is a Louisiana-style “Down on the Bayou Dinner” presented by Harrah’s New Orleans Executive Chef Jared Tees and the Food Network’s latest “Chopped” champion, Chef Mike Gowland.  This Southern-style feast will feature a local flair, serving-up crawdaddies straight from the clear mountain waters of Lake Tahoe.

If sophisticated fine dining is more to your taste, then the President’s Dinner is for you on Friday night at Harveys 19 Kitchen∙Bar.  Harrah’s Northern Nevada president John Koster hosts, and Chef Mark Estee of Campo and Caymus Vineyards founder Chuck Wagner are planning a sumptuous, multi-course dinner paired with exceptional wines from Caymus.

On Oct. 6, Saturday's events get underway with "Beyond the Fork Epicurean Expo: An Affair for the Senses" at Harrah's Special Events Center. Stroll through the Epicurean Expo and enjoy ongoing, interactive entertainment and the multifarious tastes of Harrah's best restaurants from around the country, plus local favorites, top-shelf spirits and the best wineries in Napa Valley and beyond.