The sixth annual Tucson Culinary Festival is coming Oct. 23 - 26. The festival is the inspiration of the Tucson Originals, the local group of independently-owned restaurants.

The festival celebrates the rich culinary spirit of Southern Arizona and presents a unique opportunity to discover the fresh local flavors that give Tucson its sense of place.

Festivities begin with the World Margarita Championship from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Historic Train Depot, 114 N. Toole Ave. Cost is $35 per person.

The festival’s premier event, the Grand Tasting, is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive. It’s an opportunity to enjoy samples of culinary creations from Tucson Originals restaurants along with over 150 wines from around the world. Cost is $85 per person.

The festival wraps up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 with a special "Sun"day Brunch this year featuring the cuisine of world-renowned chef Norman Van Aken, considered the father of "New World Cuisine" combining the flavors of South Florida with those of the Caribbean to create a fusion. During brunch Chef Jonathan Landeen, of Jonathan’s Tucson Cork, defends his Copper Chef Challenge victory in a competition creating an original dish from a basket of mystery ingredients. Cost is $75 per person.

Proceeds from the weekend’s events benefit the Community Food Bank, New Beginnings for Women and Children, and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.

Reservations for all of the events can be made online at http://

tucsonculinaryfestival.com.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in the culiniary experience, add in an overnight stay at Loews Ventana Canyon for $189. Book directly with the resort but make sure you mention the culinary festival in order to get the rate.

Contact T.J. Katz at tj.katz@yahoo.com. Meals & Entertainment appears weekly.