Big Sky, Montana, will host its first food and wine festival next month, drawing Michelin-starred chefs, master sommeliers, and spirits experts to the mountain town during peak autumn foliage.
The event runs September 24-26, timed to coincide with the region’s golden aspen season. Organizers aim to highlight the area’s expanding culinary scene against sweeping mountain views and cowboy culture.
Chefs and winemakers headline the weekend
Over 40 culinary figures will participate, including Nancy Silverton, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Los Angeles’ Osteria Mozza and La Brea Bakery. Ming Tsai, the festival’s host and chef of Big Sky’s BāBā restaurant, described Silverton as a legend in the field.
Marc Forgione, an Iron Chef winner and Tribeca restaurant owner, will also attend. Akira Back, whose Michelin-starred restaurant opened at One&Only Moonlight Basin last year, joins the lineup. Back and Tsai will co-host an eight-course dinner on September 25, pairing dishes with Dom Pérignon and Krug champagne.
Montana-based chef Eduardo Garcia will appear as well. If you missed him at Outside Days in Denver last May, this is your chance to see him in action.
Daytime programming centers on a Grand Tasting Tent, where attendees can sample dishes from participating chefs alongside wines from Château d’Esclans, Peter Michael, and Joseph Phelps. A Culinary Stage will feature cooking demonstrations.
A weekend of indulgence in a private mountain enclave
The festival begins Thursday with a VIP barbecue at The Barn at the Yellowstone Club, an exclusive resort where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce reportedly spent their honeymoon. Most activities take place within Big Sky’s luxury resorts, including One&Only Moonlight Basin, which opened in 2025 with three restaurants and an observation deck accessible by chauffeured ATV.
Outdoor exploration is encouraged. Garcia advised visitors to find a quiet spot along a river or hillside, turn off their phones, and take in the surroundings.
The weekend concludes Saturday with a pizza party hosted by Silverton and Forgione at Tips Up, followed by an omakase dinner at Backcast at Montage Big Sky. A Chef’s After Party at Buck’s Roadhouse will support the Big Sky Community Food Bank.
Ticket prices reflect the upscale nature of the event. A VIP weekend pass costs $2,000, while a single-day VIP pass is $1,200. General admission weekend passes are $1,000, with single-day passes at $600. Individual dinner tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased at bigskyfw.com.
The town’s shift into a luxury destination has accelerated in recent years, with new hotels and restaurants attracting high-end travelers. The festival arrives as Big Sky works to extend its appeal beyond winter ski season, using its autumn scenery and growing reputation as a food destination.
Attendees will have a rare opportunity to experience Montana’s natural beauty alongside world-class cuisine.
A former park ranger now leads guided tours through the region’s wild settings.
