Located less than a four hour drive from Atlanta, the epicurean city of Asheville, North Carolina attracts about 200,000 visitors a year to their historic and vibrant city. Affectionately nicknamed “Foodtopia,” Asheville is known for its artsy vibe, talented craft beer community and, of course, it’s artisanal, hand-crafted food.

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival aims to bring the city’s mouthwatering fare to one place for three delicious days of food bliss. Get your tickets now for the 4^th annual Asheville Wine and Food Festival August 23^rd – August 25^th. Check out the excerpt below from the official press release for details on the weekend events:

A hot competition among the area’s top chefs kicks off the weekend

The epicurean adventure starts with a bang on Thursday, August 23, as two culinary teams face off in a contest to crown the Best Chef in Western North Carolina. After months of Chefs Challenge competitions, the last two teams standing will have one wild and frenzied afternoon to create and prepare dishes using a secret local ingredient, revealed only hours earlier, to win the coveted award. The suspense and excitement will be a fun and delicious evening for attendees while the panel of judges – all top culinary experts – determines the winner. Doors open at 6, with festivities starting at 6:30.

Delicious Decadence on Day Two of the Festival

On Friday, August 24, prepare for delicious decadence at SWEET, an after-dinner fête featuring sips and samples of luscious desserts and confections, sparkling and dessert wines, and specialty cocktails and spirits. Held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the elegant Grove Arcade downtown, the event includes live music and the opportunity to enjoy the charming shops of this historic architectural wonder.

The Grand Tasting: Largest gathering of its kind in Asheville

On Saturday, August 25, the festivities continue with the Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting, inside the newly renovated U.S. Cellular Center. Featuring a smorgasbord of more than 300 wines, creations prepared by Asheville’s celebrated and internationally recognized chefs, and samples of local artisan food products, the affair promises to be the largest culinary gathering Asheville has seen. The event is 1:30 to 5 p.m. for general admission ticketholders ($45); 12 to 5 p.m. for VIP passes ($65).

Special lodging packages are available and limo and taxi services will be close at hand. For more information and tickets, visit www.ashevillewineandfood.com.

Follow Andrea Janise on Twitter at @ATLFoodWriter for ongoing coverage at the 2012 Asheville Food and Wine Festival.

Press Release courtesy of KP Communications, Inc.