IRVING, Texas (Jan. 22, 2015) – ZestFest returns to the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (ICCLC) on Jan. 23 – 25, 2015 for its 13th annual hot and spicy food festival. Noted as the zestiest weekend of the year, ZestFest 2015 marks the event’s 10th anniversary hosted in North Texas and fifth consecutive year held in Irving at the ICCLC.
Year-after-year, ZestFest delivers the ultimate fiery food experience, bringing together the spiciest exhibitors and products from around the country, for one sizzling weekend. Produced by Spicy Food Productions and presented by NBC 5 – DFW, ZestFest has steadily grown from a niche gathering to a national event, developing under the management of show owner, Gregory Bagarozy.
The weekend line-up includes back-to-back Celebrity Chef Stage demonstrations on all three days, thousands of bold food samples, live music, interactive contests, such as Wingstop’s Atomic Wing Eating Contest, Puckerbutt’s Jalapeno Eating Contest, and more – all under one roof.
Talents showcased on the 2015 Celebrity Chef Stage include Food Network star and former local (originally from Denton, Texas), Sarah Penrod, with special guests Chef Grady Spears; John Bonnell; ICCLC Executive Chef Eduardo Alvarez; Enam Chowdhury; and local legend Eddie Deen. The Celebrity Chef Stage gives attendees an opportunity to experience live cooking demonstrations and take home tips from the region’s most renowned chefs.
“We’re looking for to another fabulous, fiery, feisty weekend – ZestFest is back for its fifth year with us in Irving, and we can’t wait for all the fun and fire they bring,” said Maura Allen Gast, executive director of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB).
ZestFest kicks off its three-day festival on Friday, Jan. 23 from 1 – 6 p.m. at the ICCLC; and remains open-to-the-public on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For the second consecutive year, ZestFest extends its hours on Saturday and invites attendees to enjoy “Dinner at ZestFest,” hosted by Eddie Deen from 6 – 8 p.m., and featuring an exclusive menu set to include: a BBQ Pig and Rib Roast, spicy side dishes, two drink tickets and more. Tickets to “Dinner at ZestFest” are $15 each and must be purchased separately; general admission tickets are valid during regular show hours only.
General admission tickets to ZestFest are $11 each on Friday and $14 each on Saturday, and Sunday. Children under age 10 are admitted free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available for purchase online prior to the event or at the ICCLC box office during show hours.
Connect with the ICCLC and ICVB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram now – this Friday to compete in contests for a chance to win free tickets to ZestFest 2015. Visit http://zestfest.net/ to purchase tickets and view the full schedule of events, as well as a complete list of celebrity chef appearances slated for 2015.
ABOUT IRVING CONVENTION CENTER AT LAS COLINAS
Located where Highway 114 and Northwest Highway meet in Irving’s Las Colinas area, the $133 million, 275,000 square-foot, and architecturally stunning, Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (ICCLC), takes a bold new direction in a landscape of traditionally “institutional” facilities. Its distinctive design and mission for top-quality service mirrors the sense of quality that exists in Irving’s 12,000-acre Las Colinas development. Visit irvingconventioncenter.com or connect with the ICCLC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for latest news, upcoming events, and more information.
