Downtown Market - Go behind the scenes at this year-round market featuring farm-fresh goods, food production facilities and much more. Opening summer 2013.

Farm-to-Plate
Visit farms, restaurants and classrooms that extend our renown local, sustainable and skillfully prepared cuisine.

Craft Beers - Tour 15+ breweries that helped us earn the title, "Beer City USA."

Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery
Robinette's is home to a bakery, lunch counter, cider mill and winery. They sell home-grown fresh fruits in season and Michigan-made products in their gift shop. Every morning, breads, donuts, pastries and pies are made by their bakers. The winery offers over ten wines and a tasting sampler of six wines with a souvenir wine glass. 

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Michigan's Farm Garden is reminiscent of a 1930's family farm. The farmhouse, barn, gardens, sugar shack and animal pens are reminders of a bygone era when the land supplied the family with groceries and income, a time when every family member helped with chores. The vegetable gardens and flower beds are dedicated to heirloom varieties - open pollinated types used for more than 50 years. Appearance and short shelf-life of fruits and vegetables were not important to the 1930's farm. The well-tended bounty was grown for quality in flavor and much was used fresh. Nothing went to waste; great emphasis was placed on preserving, canning and storing food for the whole year. With advance notice a special speaker can be arranged. 

Fulton Street Farmers Market
Fulton Street is the largest and oldest farmers market in Grand Rapids. They have covered walkways and recognize local growers. You can find the freshest fruit, vegetables, breads, flowers, meats and eggs here.

Grassfields Organic Cheese a family owned organic cheese company is a great addition to the tour as they offer several delicious varieties such as Gouda, Country Dill, and Garlic ‘N Onion. The farm store also sells natural grass-fed meats. They have been farming the same land for over 100 years. The tour consists of cheese making, a tour of the farm on a wagon and some walking around the farm area to see some animals up close. The tour takes about an hour and half. 

Spartan Culinary Classroom
Work with the kitchen chef on a menu that is farm to plate. Everyone will have an opportunity to cook as well as eat your creations. Group size limited to 20 people maximum.

The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College is one of the nation's most respected culinary schools. In addition to rigorous classroom instruction, the School provides real-world training at Heritage Restaurant. Staffed by students and supervised by chef/instructors, Heritage serves up five-star dining at two-star prices. It's an essential rite of passage for the 60-70 students who graduate from the Secchia Institute each year. Students come to Secchia from around the country and around the world, and many choose to stay in Grand Rapids once they've earned their diplomas. "There's not a restaurant in town that doesn't have one of our grads or students on staff," says Chef/Professor Angus Campbell. Secchia also provides hands-on workshops for anyone who wants to learn to cook or upgrade their cooking skills. The school's GRCCC Cooks program is just one of many cooking classes and events open to the general public all year long.

Farm to Plate Restaurants in Grand Rapids

Six.One.Six at the JW Marriott
Marie Catrib's
The Green Well Gastro Pub
Amore Trattoria Italiana
Grove
Reserve Wine and Food
Bistro Bella Vita
Electric Cheetah
San Chez, A Tapas Bistro
Brewery Vivant
Bar Divani
Bartertown Diner
Gaia Café
Heritage Restaurant (GRCC)
Notos Old World Dining
Republic
Rockwell's Kitchen and Tap
Brick Road Pizza Co.
Making Thyme Kitchen

Special event: Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival

An annual pre-holiday event! Now in its fifth year, this festival has established itself as Michigan's premier event for the celebration and tasting of the finest foods, wines, beers and spirits. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for the finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of food and spirits, the International Wine, Beer & Food Festival will deliver a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.
November 21-23, 2013
Group special - $40 per person includes -
Welcome reception
Show admission
$20 worth of sampling tickets
Complimentary wine tasting glass
Show Program
All food seminars and workshops
All wine tasting seminars

$80.00 per person includes all above plus a Restaurant Pairing.