Don’t miss the third-annual Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival, coming Saturday, March 24, to The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Experience a “Taste of the Lodge” as the culinary specialties from The Ritz-Carlton’s Linger Longer Steakhouse, Georgia’s Bistro and Gaby’s By The Lake are paired with more than 100 premium wines. Enjoy a ribeye station, artisanal cheeses, seared scallops, Kobe sliders, pecan tarts and other desserts.

More than 70 items will be on display during a silent auction throughout the evening which will be followed by an exciting live auction to wrap up the festivities. Up for bid at the live auction are trips to unique destinations like Costa Rica, Napa Valley and Portland, gourmet dinners from Farm to Table to downhome Jambalaya, a wine lot of 30, UGA Sky Suite package, quail hunt, outdoor grill installation and much more. Details on auction items can be found at www.oconeefoodandwine.com.

Tickets for Saturday’s festival are $60 in advance and are available online. Tickets will be sold at the event, if available, for $75.

Overnight packages are available at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge including a one- or two-night stay that includes tickets to Friday’s Vintner Dinner featuring Caymus Wines, Saturday’ Festival and a special afternoon cooking class.

The 2012 Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival is being organized by the newly-merged Gatewood Schools. Proceeds will benefit the school’s academic and enrichment programs.

Sponsors include The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee Farms & Land, McIver Ranch, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Advanced Disposal, Atlanta Oncology, PostNet, Teresa Doster of Edward Jones, Ed and Noni Coleman, Fortis Engineering Solutions, Piedmont Water, Jay and Jackie Campbell and Lake Oconee Dentistry.