WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Hopefully you had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend and were able to spend Sunday with your mom (or at least make a phone call). While my own mother is back in West Virginia and inevitably trying to figure out how to use the gift I sent her, Mother Nature gave the attendees of the “Cape Fear Wine + Food Experience” its own gift on Saturday afternoon (no rain!).

While sprinkles and showers came down on Saturday morning and evening, it held out just long enough for people to enjoy a wide array of exceptional food and wine at Wilmington’s GLOW Academy. Saturday’s “Grand Tasting and Grand Auction” was the culminating event for a weekend of fun and fundraising for Beacon Education and its GLOW and Spark Academies.

Plenty of winemakers from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County were on hand to share a variety of styles and vintages. Some of those included Kobler Estate Winery, Bucher, Adobe Road Winery, and a handful of others.

As for food, there was a selection of restaurants and caterers sharing some mouthwatering eats. The Bridge Tender Restaurant offered its delicious Crab Dip and New England Clam Chowder (it’s one of the best in town).

Wrightsville Beach’s King Neptune supplied its take on the classic Summer Strawberry Salad, and brought along Wagyu Meatballs with chimichurri, pepitas, parmesan, and fried herbs. I could have ate what they had on hand but knew there was much more try.

The Kitchen Sink, Pine Valley Market, and Wilmington’s Pipeline Poke all had various dishes to try. Pipeline’s “Lava Flow Poke” live up to its name each bite delivered a rush of heat and flavor.

One of the more memorable dishes was a “Beef Tartare Shooter” from True Blue. Pieces of New York strip steak were covered in Dijon, shallot, egg yolk sauce, and caperberries. Put it all together, and it was a delight to the senses.

I don’t think anyone could argue the real culinary showstopper of the event was Wilmington caterer “Cannoli of Love.” The creation of Jessica Coppola, who says her passion for cooking for family and friends eventually led to her starting her own business, Cannoli of Love displayed some serious eats. Crab or Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Steak Garlic Knot Sliders, cannoli, and a real crowd favorite, Deviled Eggs with crispy prosciutto on top. They could hardly keep up with the amount of people picking off their various bites, and for good reason, Coppola’s crew knocked it out of the park.

As for the event itself, the “Cape Fear Wine + Food Experience” is a major fundraiser for Beacon Education and its GLOW and Spark Academies. A day of great food and drink ended with a spectacular auction with the proceeds going to support the schools. If you’re a serious wine enthusiast, and want to enjoy some fantastic eats as well, I highly recommend attending this special event next year.

Author: Corey Preece

Date: May 12, 2025

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