Eric Warnstedt is the Executive Chef and owner of Hen of the Wood restaurant in Waterbury, Vermont. He has a passion for sourcing the region's most premium ingredients, from locally raised meats and game, organic produce and artisan cheeses, to hard to find wild edibles such as Hen of the Wood's mushrooms.

Recently touted by the New York Times and named one of the Ten Best Chefs of 2008 by Food & Wine magazine, Eric will be a welcome addition to this year's Stowe Wine & Food Classic.

Warnstedt is also a nominee for the 2009 James Beard Award.

Antonio was born, raised and professionally trained in Italy. Italian brothers chef Antonio and Wine expert Giancarlo DeVito, along with American pastry chef Patricia Hammer, met in the Boston restaurant scene during the 1980’s. In 1985 the trio moved to Stowe to launch their Tuscan trattoria, leaving behind the stress and traffic of the city for a pastoral and more peaceful environment.

Antonio brings to Trattoria his most treasured recipes from all the regions of Italy. These recipes have won praise and awards from the most prestigious culinary magazines in the world. Antonio’s travel stories and great energy is absolutely contagious and makes dinner at Trattoria La Festa a true experience.

Born, raised and trained in Switzerland, Michael Kloeti dreamed of enriching his classical education with that of other cultures. Shortly after meeting his wife, Laura, working in the same Swiss kitchen, they relocated to New York City.

Michael has worked in a variety of settings ranging from New York City’s 4-star Lespinasse, to the award winning Lodge at Koele in Lanaii, Hawaii. The invitation to join the St. Regis Hotel as Chef de Cuisine brought him back to Manhattan, and the decision to raise their family in Vermont led them to the eventual opening of Michael's on the Hill Restaurant in 2002.

Michael was recognized as the first “Vermont Chef of the Year” ever selected by the Vermont Hospitality Council, and the restaurant was awarded “Best of Waterbury Center, 2008”.

Owner and chocolatier Leigh Williams has been creating artisan chocolates and old fashioned sweets for over fourteen years. Leigh founded Laughing Moon Chocolates to share her passion for creating delicious chocolates by hand. She loves seeing the smiles on her customers' faces when they try one of her rich truffles or buttery caramels.

The business has grown since it opened in May of 2002 and now employes a team of talented and dedicated people to create delicious chocolates and confections. Leigh still cooks centers in a small copper kettle using the freshest local ingredients available, keeping the use of artificial flavors and colors to a minimum.

The best inns of England always feature a pub which affords warm and friendly service to travelers. Innkeepers Chris and Lyn Francis have created Mr. Pickwick's to provide this service, naming it after the character immortalized by Charles Dickens. Mr. Pickwick's is the classic redfaced, rotund, jolly gentleman who radiates warmth, good humor and gregarious nature of those characters that have made English Pubs as famous as they are today.

Mr. Pickwick's has been featured on television in the US, Canada, England and Europe. The diversity of the clientele is appealing; Vermont farmers to Francis Ford Coppola, Deep Purple to Lord Litchfield. The newspaper USA Today called it "The place not to miss in Stowe." Since 1991 Mr. Pickwick's has been honored by the 'Wine Spectator Magazine' as the recipient of their Award of Excellence having in their words "one of the finest wine lists in the world".

Stowe Mountain Lodge has partnered with local Vermont farmers, cheesemakers, and other talented artisans, as well as small farm advocacy groups like the Vermont Fresh Network and Chefs Collaborative, to create a dining experience that is unique to the area, both on the plate and throughout the restaurant environment. Guests will experience a connection to the land of Vermont through dishes that focus on freshness, simplicity, and seasonal flavors.

With furniture hand-carved by Vermont-based artistic woodworkers Parker Nichols and Charles Shackleton, and custom pottery pieces designed by Miranda Thomas; an interactive chef station for daily breakfast; open kitchen for lunch and dinner; and unsurpassed views of Spruce Peak Mountain at any time of day, Solstice will offer a true feast for all the senses.

Co-Owner and Executive Chef Aaron Millon is a classically trained chef who spent time under innovative Chef Kerry Simon at Mercury in South Beach, Florida and Wunderkind Chef Matthew Lake at New Heights Restaurant in Washington, D.C. As a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, Aaron quickly became aware of the return to small farming and sustainable food supply movement gaining steam in the state of Vermont. He is a staunch supporter of the small family farm and of local food artisans. Absolutely committed to Vermont farmers, growers, bakers, and foragers, Aaron continues to nurture his unique ties with the farmland that makes Vermont one of the most agriculturally dependent and successful states in the country. This commitment, matched by a passion for the integrity and freshness of his ingredients, an artist’s vision, and a simple love of kitchen work, translates to a food experience that can only be found at Restaurant Phoebe.