The Nantucket Wine Festival honored chef Ming Tsai as Luminary of the Year during the annual Wine Auction Dinner in May 2010. It was a splendid evening with plenty of great food from Brooke Vosika (Executive Chef, Four Seasons Hotel Boston), and Fred Bisaillon (Executive Chef, Brant Point Grill Nantucket), beautiful Spanish wines from Jorge Ordonez (Fine Estates from Spain), and chef Ming himself garnering plenty of laughs during his witty acceptance speech.
NWF founder Denis Toner, with 2010 Luminary of the Year Ming Tsai
The Nantucket Historical Association was also on hand, as the non-profit beneficiary of the Wine Auction Dinner. Proceeds from the evening go to supporting NHA’s educational programs for children and their families, building on the success of the past 13 years of collaboration with the Nantucket Wine Festival. It’s an important part of NWF’s mission to support non-profit causes and Nantucket, and NHA is a perfect partner in that regard. This year the auction raised $123,900 for the NHA.
NWF had a chance to speak with Ming Tsai on the day he was recognized as Luminary of the Year:
Nantucket Wine Festival: Ming you are the Luminary of the Year 2010, how does it feel?
Chef Ming Tsai: It’s a great honor to be recognized, and it means a lot really. Lots of people get lots of awards, but there’s only 3 of these so far, and I’m proud to be a part of it (previous awards were given to Jorge Ordonez and Ray Coursen).
Jorge Ordonez
Plus, I am a big fan of this event, and the people it pulls together. And who wouldn’t want another reason to come to Nantucket??
NWF: You have been to our festival for several years, what keeps you coming back?
Ming: It’s one of the premiere wine events in the country! Of the smaller events, it really is one of the very best. If you have any doubt, just look at the list of attendees. The wines are off the charts, but also notice the principal winemakers themselves appear in most cases. That doesn’t always happen, but it does here.
Alex Gambal
So you get to meet them, enjoy their perspectives, and gain a new appreciation for their wines from the people responsible for what goes in the bottle. That’s cool. And the same goes for food. Just look at who shows up: this year you see Todd English, who happens to be involved in two restaurants on Nantucket now, as well as dozens of visiting chefs from around the nation.
Todd English
And the local chefs, off the charts. Nantucket is a little oasis of quality, and so is the Nantucket Wine Festival. I don’t plan on missing it anytime soon. Do I get a green jacket in the locker room like the winners of the Masters?? Seriously, I appreciate the Gifford Cup they gave me, that’s really generous. And it can hold a lot of wine.
NWF: What do you have going on these days?
Ming: Well my 4th book is coming out, it’s “ONE-POT DISHES”, and it’s a lot of fun. I think people will enjoy it, I know I enjoyed putting it together. So watch for that. I’ve also got another season of “Simply Ming” going on PBS (television series), and that has been tons of fun too. It’s great to be able to reach more people and get them into food. The feedback has been tremendous, so I’m thrilled to keep it going. You can see little clips of the show on my website at www.ming.com, so check it out.
The Gifford Cup
NWF: Ming I hear there’s another project in the works too, is that correct?
Ming: I can’t give up all the details, but I’m excited to say I have another big TV show coming soon. It’s BIG. So you’ll just have to keep your eye on that, and you’ll see!
Denis and Ming
NWF: Thanks Ming, and congratulations.
Ming: Thank you, and I’m honored to be the Luminary of the Year. Thanks Denis!
