The Dominican Republic is famous for its beautiful beaches, all-inclusive resorts and tropical scenery, but did you know that it also hosts a culinary festival featuring some of the world’s most renowned chefs?
We had the opportunity to experience the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival in October 2026, and it turned out to be much more than just a food and wine tasting event. From watching celebrity chefs prepare their dishes live to discovering surprisingly creative flavors and meeting some of the chefs in person, there were plenty of memorable moments throughout the weekend.
But what exactly can you expect from the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival? Is the experience worth the $150 ticket price, and should you plan a special trip to La Romana just to attend?
In this article, we’re sharing our firsthand experiences from the 2026 edition, including our favorite dishes, what we particularly enjoyed, a few things worth knowing before you go, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival – At a Glance
- Location: Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Romana
- Festival Dates: October 9–10, 2026
- Main Venue: Grand Tasting Pavilion, Marina Riverside Center
- Festival Hours: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Friday & Saturday)
- Dinner Under the Stars: Saturday, 9:00 PM, Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant
- Ticket Prices: From $150 per person (2026)
- What’s Included: Food and wine tastings, cocktails, live cooking demonstrations and entertainment
- Featured Chefs: Michael Mina, Hubert Keller, Joe Isidori and Gabriel Tejada Núñez
- Dress Code: Resort Chic & Elegant Caribbean Attire
- Best For: Food lovers, couples and culinary enthusiasts
- Official Website: Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival*
- Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival – At a Glance
- What Is the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival?
- Where Does the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Take Place?
- Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Tickets and Prices
- Which Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Ticket Should You Choose?
- Grand Tasting Pavilion – Our Experience
- Celebrity Chefs and Live Cooking Shows
- Food Tastings and Exhibitors
- Wine, Cocktails and Other Drinks
- Entertainment and Festival Atmosphere
- Dinner Under the Stars at Minitas Beach Club
- What to Expect at Dinner Under the Stars
- The Food at Dinner Under the Stars
- Drinks and Service at Dinner Under the Stars
- Meeting the Celebrity Chefs and Evening Entertainment
- Practical Tips for Visiting the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival
- Is the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Worth It?
Most important thing to book before your trip – what most people forget: health insurance for the Dominican Republic – get prices here*
(gets you covered in case of illness, accidents or necessary medical treatments)
What Is the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival?
The Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival is an annual culinary event held at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, one of the most exclusive resort communities in the Dominican Republic. While Casa de Campo is mainly known for its world-class golf courses, luxury villas, beautiful marina and the famous Altos de Chavón village, the Food & Wine Festival offers another reason to visit this part of the country. If you’re considering staying at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, you can check current room rates and availability here*.
During the festival, you can watch celebrity chefs preparing their dishes live on stage, try their creations and explore numerous food and wine tasting stations. From freshly grilled meats and seafood to wines, cocktails and other specialties, there is plenty to discover. Besides the main festival, you can also attend Dinner Under the Stars, a separate evening event featuring gourmet food, drinks and entertainment.
The good thing is that you don’t have to stay at Casa de Campo to attend the festival. If you’re spending your vacation in Punta Cana, La Romana or Bayahibe, it’s also a great opportunity to experience something different from the usual beaches, excursions and all-inclusive resorts.
Where Does the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Take Place?
The Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival takes place at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours from Punta Cana, depending on where you’re staying.
The festival is divided between two locations within the resort. The Grand Tasting Pavilion is held at Marina Riverside Center, at the Casa de Campo Marina. This is where the main cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings take place, with stands located both indoors and outdoors. Dinner Under the Stars takes place at Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant, a beachfront venue with a swimming pool and outdoor terraces. Unlike the main festival, this is an evening event held in a more intimate setting.
Keep in mind that Casa de Campo is a huge property, so you’ll need transportation to get between the festival venues. During our visit, it took us around 10 minutes by golf cart to get from the marina to Minitas Beach Club. As Casa de Campo is a private, gated resort, it’s worth checking the entry requirements before your visit. Your festival ticket doesn’t automatically give you access to all the resort’s facilities.
Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Tickets and Prices
The Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival* offers several ticket options, depending on whether you want to attend the main festival for one or two days or include the special Dinner Under the Stars experience.
The admission price includes much more than just watching the celebrity chefs. Food and beverage tastings, live cooking demonstrations and entertainment are all part of the experience, so you don’t have to pay separately for each dish or glass of wine.
For the 2026 edition, ticket prices were as follows:
- Grand Tasting Pavilion – 1 Day (Friday or Saturday): $150 per person
- Grand Tasting Pavilion – 2 Days (Friday and Saturday): $275 per person
- Dinner Under the Stars Only: $306 per person
- Grand Tasting Pavilion – 1 Day + Dinner Under the Stars: $375 per person
- Grand Tasting Pavilion – 2 Days + Dinner Under the Stars: $500 per person
These prices refer to the 2026 edition and may change for future events.
Which Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Ticket Should You Choose?
Which ticket you should choose depends mainly on your budget and how much time you’d like to spend at the festival. If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, a single-day ticket is a perfectly good option. You can attend the Grand Tasting Pavilion on either Friday or Saturday, enjoy the cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings, and return to Punta Cana the same evening.
I’d recommend booking a private transfer in advance, especially if you’re planning to enjoy the wine tastings. Renting a car is another option if you’d prefer more flexibility, particularly if you’re planning to explore the area beyond the festival. Just make sure you have a designated driver if you intend to drink alcohol.
However, if your budget allows, why not make a full weekend out of it? You can attend the festival on both days, add Dinner Under the Stars on Saturday evening and stay overnight at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.
If staying at the resort is beyond your budget, it’s worth checking Airbnb* as well. There are privately rented apartments and villas in the area, including some within Casa de Campo, which can be more affordable than booking directly through the resort. Just make sure to check the total price, additional fees and access arrangements before booking.
Grand Tasting Pavilion – Our Experience
We visited the Grand Tasting Pavilion on both Friday and Saturday, so we had the chance to experience the festival on both days, try plenty of different dishes and watch the celebrity chefs in action.
When you arrive at the festival, the first thing you need to do is show your ticket with the QR code at the entrance. Your ticket gets scanned, and you receive a wristband giving you access to the event. Even though there was a small queue when we arrived, the whole process was very quick, and we barely had to wait a minute.
What surprised us a little was the number of photographers and videographers welcoming the guests. With cameras everywhere, taking photos and filming people as they entered, you could almost feel like a celebrity yourself. Once inside, you’re welcomed by the staff handing out Food & Wine Festival bags.
The pavilion itself was spacious, with a large stage for the live cooking demonstrations and plenty of food and beverage stands. Everything was nicely arranged, with flowers decorating many of the stalls. There were also a few additional stands outside, together with another stage for live music.
Celebrity Chefs and Live Cooking Shows
One of the main highlights of the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival is the opportunity to watch internationally renowned chefs preparing their dishes live on stage. And the best part is that you don’t just watch them cook – you actually get to taste their creations afterward.
The 2026 edition featured four celebrity chefs, each with an impressive culinary background:
Michael Mina, founder of the MINA Group with more than 30 restaurants across the United States and winner of a James Beard Award, prepared Hawaiian-style spiced beef served with mashed sweet potatoes, olive oil, herbs and an Egyptian pepper sauce.
Hubert Keller, the French chef known for his former Fleur de Lys restaurant in San Francisco and the famous Burger Bar in Las Vegas, presented a gourmet burger featuring wagyu beef, Maine lobster, Brie cheese and truffles. He even had an oversized burger on stage during his demonstration, which was quite a sight. Fortunately, the tasting portions served afterward were considerably smaller.
Joe Isidori, a third-generation chef and co-founder of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beers, demonstrated how to prepare his spicy rigatoni alla vodka live on stage. After the presentation, guests had the opportunity to taste the freshly prepared pasta, which was served by waiters throughout the pavilion.
Gabriel Tejada Núñez, a Dominican chef, presented his dish called “Remolacha”, featuring roasted beetroot combined with goat cheese, raisins and macadamia nuts. I particularly enjoyed this one, as it had much more flavor than you might expect from beetroot.
The cooking demonstrations themselves were entertaining and easy to follow. The chefs explained their preparations, shared cooking techniques and occasionally joked with the audience. Thanks to the large screens, you could see what was happening on stage even when standing further away. During and after the demonstrations, waiters walked around offering tasting portions of the dishes, so you didn’t need to queue up to try what the chefs had prepared. What made these cooking shows particularly interesting was the combination of watching experienced chefs at work and getting to taste the dishes they had just demonstrated. It added something extra to the festival beyond simply walking from one food stand to another.
Food Tastings and Exhibitors
Besides the dishes prepared by the celebrity chefs, there were plenty of other food stands to explore at the Grand Tasting Pavilion. From freshly grilled steaks and ribs to seafood, burgers and different appetizers, the variety was impressive, and you certainly didn’t have to worry about leaving hungry.
One of the things I particularly liked was how the tastings worked. All regular food samples were included in the entrance fee, and you could return to your favorite stands as often as you wanted. The portions were relatively small, which actually made sense considering how many different dishes there were to try. If something tasted particularly good, you could simply go back for another serving.
Among the additional food exhibitors, our favorite was ABS Foods Group. They offered an excellent selection, particularly if you enjoy seafood. One of my favorites was caviar served on a small blini with cream cheese. As someone who loves caviar, I certainly couldn’t resist going back for more.
Another highlight was the freshly prepared salmon sashimi, served in little tasting boats with a delicious sauce and delicate garnish. The salmon was sliced directly at the stand, and the presentation was just as good as the taste.
ABS also served picanha, a flavorful cut of beef that was honestly one of the best steaks I can remember eating. The meat was incredibly tender and delicious, and we returned to this stand several times throughout the festival.
Another exhibitor worth mentioning was The Butcher Shop, offering various meat dishes, including small beef sandwiches, ribs and burgers. At the ROMANGUS stand, large cuts of beef were grilled and freshly sliced for guests.
Wine, Cocktails and Other Drinks
Of course, a Food & Wine Festival wouldn’t be complete without a good selection of drinks, and there was certainly plenty to choose from. Throughout the pavilion and outdoor area, you could find numerous stands offering red, white and rosé wines, prosecco, champagne and other sparkling wines. If you prefer cocktails, there were also several options, including tequila-based drinks and other mixed drinks prepared directly at the stands.
One of our personal favorites was Chandon Garden Spritz, a sparkling wine-based aperitif with bitter orange, herbs and spices. It has a refreshing, slightly bittersweet citrus flavor and was definitely one of the drinks we enjoyed most during the festival.
Beer lovers weren’t forgotten either, with brands such as Corona and Estrella Damm represented at the festival. You could also try Dominican specialties such as mamajuana, a traditional local drink made with rum, red wine, honey and a mixture of herbs and roots.
Just like the food, the regular beverage tastings were included in the entrance fee, and you could return to the stands for another glass whenever you wanted.
Another interesting addition was the presence of several cigar exhibitors. During our visit, most of these stands offered complimentary cigars, while one vendor sold them separately. You could even pick up four or five cigars while exploring the stands, which was quite a nice bonus considering that some premium cigars can cost $15–20 or more each in a shop. If you enjoy cigars, this could add quite a bit of value to your admission ticket.
Entertainment and Festival Atmosphere
Besides the cooking demonstrations and tasting stations, there was also live entertainment throughout the festival. An outdoor stage had been set up, where a singer performed between the chefs’ presentations. She had a great voice, and the live music was a nice addition while walking around the outdoor area.
The atmosphere was quite elegant, with most guests nicely dressed, but at the same time relaxed and informal. You could move freely between the indoor pavilion and outdoor stands, enjoy the music or simply sit down and chat with friends.
Friday was a little quieter, especially during the first hour. More guests started arriving around 5 or 6 PM, while Saturday was noticeably busier. The food and beverage stands were essentially the same on both days, although the atmosphere was noticeably livelier on Saturday.
Another thing worth mentioning is the organization. The staff were friendly and attentive, the stands were beautifully decorated, and everything ran smoothly during our visit. One practical recommendation: wear comfortable shoes. There were some places to sit, but much of the festival involved standing or walking between the different areas. I wore high heels on Friday and definitely felt it in my feet by the end of the evening.
Dinner Under the Stars at Minitas Beach Club
Besides the Grand Tasting Pavilion, another highlight of the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival* was Dinner Under the Stars, held on Saturday evening at Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant. The swimming pool was illuminated in blue, strings of lights were hanging between the palm trees, and the tables were beautifully decorated with colorful flower arrangements.
What to Expect at Dinner Under the Stars
Despite its name, Dinner Under the Stars wasn’t a traditional sit-down dinner with an assigned table and a fixed multi-course menu. Instead, guests could walk between different food stations, choose what they wanted to try and enjoy drinks from the bar.
There were both seated tables and standing tables, so you could find a place to enjoy your food or move around and explore the different stations throughout the evening.
The Food at Dinner Under the Stars
Dinner Under the Stars featured four guest chefs – Adrián Ramírez, Bryan Noury, Marcus Ware and Adam Pawlak – presenting their dishes at three different food stations.
Unlike the cooking demonstrations at the Grand Tasting Pavilion, the chefs were preparing and presenting their food directly at the stations, giving you the opportunity to see their work up close and ask questions about the dishes.
One of the stations served tacos with slow-cooked pork. According to the staff, the pork had been cooking for around 12 hours, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat. You could also choose from different toppings and sauces, with the staff explaining which ones were mild and which were spicy.
Another station offered shrimp and small meat-filled pastries. The shrimp were particularly delicious, and we certainly didn’t stop at just one serving.
The third station focused on seafood, including different ceviche preparations, shellfish, caviar and other small dishes. Some were served in shells with sauces and garnishes, and the entire seafood display was decorated with coral-inspired arrangements.
You could return to the different stations as often as you liked, making it easy to sample several dishes or enjoy more of your favorites.
Besides these three stations, waiters regularly walked around offering additional savory and sweet appetizers. Among them were small crackers topped with caviar, various bite-sized snacks, miniature ice creams and even chocolate shaped like a cigar.
The chocolate cigar was a particularly fun detail, as it looked surprisingly similar to a real one, but was entirely edible.
Drinks and Service at Dinner Under the Stars
Besides the food, there was also a bar offering a selection of wines, prosecco, cocktails and other drinks, all included in the evening’s experience.
What particularly stood out to us was the attentive service. Waiters regularly approached guests to offer drinks, snacks, and you could also order directly at the bar. Everything was well organized, and we never had to wait long to be served. Another thing worth mentioning is that the staff spoke English, which made communication easy throughout the event. This is particularly helpful if you don’t speak Spanish.
Meeting the Celebrity Chefs and Evening Entertainment
One of the nice things about Dinner Under the Stars was that all four celebrity chefs from the Grand Tasting Pavilion were there as well. Unlike during the cooking demonstrations, you could approach them more easily, exchange a few words and take photos. We also had the opportunity to take pictures with the chefs ourselves, which was a nice addition to the evening.
Besides the food and drinks, the evening also featured a fire show by the pool, followed by a fireworks display.
Despite a heavy rain shower later in the evening, both performances still went ahead. The fire dancers performed with flaming props beside the illuminated swimming pool, followed by fireworks lighting up the sky above Minitas Beach Club.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival
If you’re planning to attend the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival, here are a few additional things worth knowing before your visit.
- Arrive early. The Grand Tasting Pavilion opens at 4 PM, and Friday was particularly quiet during the first hour. Arriving early gives you more time to explore the food stations before the venue gets busier.
- Follow the dress code. The official recommendation is Resort Chic & Elegant Caribbean Attire. A nice summer dress, linen shirt or smart casual outfit works well.
- Bring your phone and keep it charged. You’ll need your ticket’s QR code at the entrance, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos of the dishes, cooking demonstrations and celebrity chefs.
- Don’t rush through the tastings. With so many different dishes available, it’s worth trying smaller portions first and returning to your favorites afterward.
Is the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival Worth It?
For us, the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival was worth the visit, particularly because of the quality and variety of food available at the Grand Tasting Pavilion.
At $150 per person for a single-day ticket, the Grand Tasting Pavilion offers good value for money, particularly when you consider what’s included. You can sample dishes from internationally renowned chefs, explore numerous food stations, enjoy wine and cocktail tastings, and watch live cooking demonstrations without paying anything extra.
What we particularly liked was the quality of the food. Some of the dishes we tried, especially Hubert Keller’s gourmet burger, the different beef tastings, the freshly prepared seafood and Gabriel Tejada’s beetroot creation, were genuinely memorable. It wasn’t just about eating and drinking as much as possible, but about trying things you wouldn’t necessarily find at a typical restaurant or all-inclusive resort.
If you’re on a limited budget, the Grand Tasting Pavilion would be my recommendation. A single-day ticket gives you access to the main festival experience without the additional expense of a second day or overnight accommodation.
If your budget allows, spending the entire weekend at Casa de Campo, including Dinner Under the Stars, is certainly worth considering. It gives you more time to enjoy the festival, meet the chefs and experience the evening event at Minitas Beach Club. If you’d like to stay at the resort, you can check the latest prices for Casa de Campo Resort & Villas here.
Dinner Under the Stars is considerably more expensive, with tickets costing $306 per person in 2026. While the Grand Tasting Pavilion would be my first choice if I had to pick just one event, the dinner is a nice addition if you enjoy special culinary experiences and don’t mind spending extra for the setting and entertainment.
Whether you visit for one day or make a full weekend out of it, the Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival is well worth considering if you enjoy good food and want to experience a different side of the Dominican Republic. The next Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival is scheduled for October 8–10, 2027, so if you’re planning to attend, keep an eye on the official website for ticket information and updates.
SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.
Ewa
Travel Blogger & Punta Cana ExpertHey, I am Ewa. Originally from Poland, I lived in the Netherlands for 15 years before deciding to start a new chapter of my life in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Now I explore Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic full-time with my family, sharing honest resort reviews, excursion recommendations, travel tips, and local insights. Having visited numerous resorts and attractions across the region, I focus on providing practical, first-hand information travelers can actually use. Living here allows me to experience destinations from a local perspective and provide information that goes far beyond what you can find in a typical brochure.
My goal is simple: to help you plan an unforgettable Punta Cana vacation with trustworthy, up-to-date, and experience-based advice.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page or Contact Me here.
ALSO WORTH READING:
Isla Catalina – less-frequented island excursion to paradise
Packing Hacks: what people always FORGET TO PACK when going to Punta Cana – and you shouldn’t
Live Aqua Punta Cana – a comprehensive review of this adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana
All waterfalls reachable from Punta Cana in under 3 hours (incl. map)
| FOLLOW ME! | External links |
|---|---|
| Did you like this article and would like to read all new stories about Punta Cana and beyond? Would you like to stay in touch with me to be your Punta Cana expert?
In this case, most important, please subscribe here for my newsletter!
Please also follow me on my social media channels for more information: | Links to external websites are either in bold letters or marked with a “*”. In case of linking to a booking website, I might be affiliated with this company and receive a small commission when you book through this partner. Please use those links as they support Punta Cana Travel Blog. However, you are still getting the best prices with all discounts and promotions, so nothing changes for you. Other external links might lead you to social media platforms or other relevant websites. |