An expanded culinary and entertainment experience
This year, festival attendance is expected to reach 2,500 to 3,000 guests. Attendees can explore an extensive selection of offerings, with over 150 stops featuring:
- 25-plus Kalahari signature restaurants and dining experiences
- 25-plus Kalahari bar offerings, including bars and wineries
- More than 100 local and national wineries, breweries and distilleries, as well as craft and specialty artisan vendors, including clothing, custom hats, jewelry, baked goods, cookware, custom and unique home decor items, and African art
While the event highlights both well-known national brands and local businesses, according to assistant general manager Brandon Wise, celebrating regional talent remains a top priority.
"We’re proud to offer a selection of widely recognized national spirits, but for those looking to explore something new, we’re here to guide you toward incredible local flavors,” Wise said. “From small-batch distilleries to regional favorites, we love showcasing the best our area has to offer and supporting the talented makers behind them."
Beyond food and drinks, the festival fully embraces its island theme with an exciting entertainment lineup, including Jimmy Buffett cover bands, steel drum performances and stilt walkers. A variety of other surprises are in the works. Visit kalahariresorts.com/festival for updates.
Ticket options: general vs. VIP
The event caters to different experience levels with two ticket options.
General Admission ($149):
- Full main event access (noon–4 p.m.)
- Souvenir wine glass
- Interactive cooking demos with Kalahari chefs
- Photo op stations
- Raffles and giveaways
- Everything included in general admission
- Exclusive brunch reception (10–11 a.m.) with additional vendors and curated culinary creations
- Meet and greet with resort chefs
- Early festival access (11 a.m.–noon)
Behind the scenes: organizing a large-scale event
Executing a festival of this scale contains many moving parts, including the coordination of vendor load-in and load-out, as well as managing crowd flow to ensure a seamless experience for attendees. Despite the complexities, the payoff is worth it. Organizers take pride in seeing both guests and vendors fully immersed in the experience.
“The vendors tell us they have such an amazing time, and they want to come back,” Wise said. “We have repeat guests now, and we're hearing about the memories they're making ... That’s why those of us who work in hospitality work in hospitality—it’s about making those moments and those memories.”
Why this festival stands out
For Wise, the blend of service, atmosphere and uniqueness makes the festival unlike any other.
“This is a can’t miss experience. Nobody is doing anything like this,” he said. “[At food and wine festivals], guests are usually outside. Ours is both inside and outside. It has all the comforts and amenities that people would expect of a resort.”
Looking ahead: growth and expansion
Looking to the future, organizers aim to expand the event while ensuring it remains an exceptional experience.
The festival’s success in Round Rock has already inspired expansion into other markets, including its Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania location, with potential for more growth ahead.
With its immersive theme, diverse offerings and community-driven focus, the Food and (Not Just) Wine Festival at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions continues to set a high standard for culinary and entertainment experiences.
To learn more about the Food and (Not Just) Wine Festival, visit its website. To purchase tickets, click here.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
