We had the good fortune of connecting with Constance McDerby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Constance, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Bringing a multi-day, multi-faceted culinary and wine event to the 4th largest city in America that didn’t have one at the time in 2002. Blazing a new trail to showcase the culinary diversity of Houston who wasn’t known for our culinary expertise at the time. There wasn’t a template of how to do this type of event series. We launched that for the Houston metro, establishing the largest, most comprehensive culinary and wine event from New Orleans to Aspen, and we’re still Crushing It after all these years!

What should our readers know about your business?
Food & Vine Time Productions was founded by my driving passion to learn and share the joys of wine. Wine and food creates a community from the stories and lives of all involved. When I founded the company in 2002, there was no multi-day, multi-faceted culinary and wine event in Houston, the 4th largest city in America. It was mind-blowing really. I decided to create one. With the right industry people in support of the very first event, Galveston Food & Vine Times was an immediate success and incorporated wine dinners, a wine stroll and a grand tasting, spanning three days and the rest is happy history.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was planning a visit, I’d definitely schedule it around Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands with multiple days of events for wine lovers from the novice to the serious enthusiast. We’d visit some of the supporting restaurants for wine dinners, attend the week-long events including Wine Around The World Wednesday to take a passport tour of six countries featuring wines and foods from their countries. On Thursday we’d have lunch at Amrina in The Woodlands and then attend Crushing It With Cocktails to see the mixologist competition and taste their creations. Friday starts with brunch at Dosey Doe’s and that evening we’d have a casual and fun time at Sips, Suds & Savor featuring everyday eats from area restaurants, craft beer, ready-mixed cocktails and everyday wines.

We’d make sure to “Crush It” with a hands-on vineyard experience at Sips, Suds & Savor. Saturday starts with a light bite breakfast and coffee, followed by mani & pedis getting ready for stepping out in style to the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase featuring the national Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs awards. We’d for sure upgrade to the Cadillac VIP Lounge to get access to the luxury wines – because we both love great wine!

Sunday morning starts off lazy and then we’d head to the vineyards at Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville for Sunday afternoon wine tasting and concert on the lawn with poetry reading at sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Food & Vine Time Productions has the most amazing and talented team ever! The majority of our team members have served 10+ years, and the largest percentage have brought amazing events for almost 20 years. We call it our “wine family” and the bonds are strong. Lasting friendships and bonds have been established through working in the hectic and rewarding event production sector. It’s heartwarming to see our team members automatically reading the room, read each others’ minds and jumping in to bring a seamless experience for our patrons, partners and non-profit benefactors.

Website: https://www.foodandvinetime.com

Instagram: @winefoodbeer

Linkedin: Food & Vine Time Productions

Twitter: @wineandfoodweek

Facebook: Wine and Food Week

Youtube: @foodvinetimeproductions

Image Credits
Smile with Kelley Sweet Photography, Genesis Photography

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