The Albany Chef’s Food and Wine Festival is coming back on Jan. 23 with some new items on their menu.

The three-day Wine & Dine for the Arts to benefit Albany arts organizations has added a Sunday brunch at Hattie’s.

“Hattie’s been downtown for about a year now, and they really have something special there,” said Jonathan Serzer, vice chairman of the festival. 

The three-day event kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 23 with the Mayor’s Reception.

On Friday and Saturday at the Albany Capital Center, there is the tasting reception featuring 100 food, wine and spirit vendors.

On Friday evening, there will be a “Slider Slam,” with different types of sandwiches including hamburgers.

On Saturday, there will be black-tie gala at the Albany Capital Center featuring a five-course menu produced by seven of the area’s greatest chefs.

This year’s theme is “taste of Italy” and the menu will be based around an Italian flavor and feel.

“We call it three days, endless flavors. So there’s a little bit of everything, and I think that’s the idea. Really the focus of this is working and supporting the arts in the city of Albany, try to give them sustainable funding,” Serzer said. 

Jacob White, with Radici Kitchen and Bar in Glens Falls, said he is excited be a rising star chef at the festival.

Hear why White is excited about attending the event by watching the video of Tessa Bentulan’s interview.

More: Albany Wine & Dine for the Arts