About
Crave! NW
The Inland Northwest's premier food and drink celebration — dedicated to uplifting the culinary scene in the Northwest.
Our Mission
Creating Community Through Culinary Celebration
CRAVE! NW, the Inland Northwest’s premier food and drink celebratie July 16–18, 2026. For three unforgettable summer nights, the festival brings together visionary chefs, artisan producers, craft beverage makers, and food lovers to celebrate the flavors, people, and stories that define the great Northwest.
Set along the Spokane River in the heart of downtown, CRAVE! NW is a chef-driven experience built for discovery—featuring inspired tastings, regional wine, beer, cider, and spirits, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments with the makers behind the region’s vibrant culinary culture.
Each night offers a distinct experience: Thursday’s Hoedown Showdown reimagines comfort food with country flair; Friday’s Foods from Around the World takes guests on a global culinary journey with carnival energy; and Saturday’s Smoke & Fire closes the weekend with bold, flame-kissed creations from exceptional regional and nationally recognized chefs.
The celebration extends beyond Riverfront Park with a full lineup of intimate CRAVE! Offsite Showcases throughout Spokane. Guests can experience a six-course chef collaboration at Cochinito, a rooftop wine and charcuterie gathering at Wanderlust Delicato, and a special six-course kickoff dinner at The Davenport Hotel, followed by a late-night after-party and Sunday brunch celebration.
More than a food festival, CRAVE! NW is a platform for the people shaping the Northwest’s hospitality community. The event spotlights chefs, farmers, artisans, winemakers, brewers, distillers, and local businesses—creating connection, supporting culinary tourism, and building a stronger, more celebrated regional food culture.
What We Stand For
Our Values
Build Community
Collaborate
Highlight Chefs
Inclusionary
Passion for Food
Catalyst for Alliances
Partner of Spokane Valley
Culinary Leadership
The Experience
What to Expect
An irresistible array of culinary delights and craft beverages from the Northwest's finest.
Fresh seafood & meats grilled over open flame
Homemade ice creams & baked goods
Vegetarian options & ethnic cuisine
Locally-inspired dishes & one-bite tasters
Award-winning chefs & brewmasters
Regional wine, beer, spirits & cider
Culinary Director
Adam Hegsted
Crave!'s Culinary Director and creative visionary Adam Hegsted is a proud Inland Pacific Northwest native, a graduate of Northwest Culinary Academy and Art Institute of Seattle. A 2016 James Beard Award regional semifinalist, Hegsted was honored to be invited to cook as part of the James Beard Foundation's Dinner, as well as participate in the Food Network's SOBE Wine & Food Festival in Miami, and Star Chefs International Chef Congress in New York.
Hegsted has received numerous national and international accolades, including being named one of the best chefs in the nation by BestChefAmerica.com, Innovator of the Year by the National Beef Council, Catalyst Magazine's Top 50 Most Powerful People in Region, and United Fresh's National Innovator Award. He is proud to be part of a greater culinary community in the Inland Northwest.
“Our idea is when this event gets to profitability, to give that back to the hospitality community.”
2026 Events
Crave! Spokane
Crave! NW brings our culinary celebration to Spokane's iconic Riverfront Park.
Join Us
Be Part of Crave! NW
Whether you're a chef, artisan, vendor, or want to volunteer — we'd love to have you at our next celebration.
Made Possible By
Our Sponsors & Partners
Crave! NW is fueled by the generosity of local and national brands who share our passion for food, drink, and community.
