HUNTSVILLE — The Crush Wine and Food Festival lifts off this month and the new CO/OP Community Table + Bar downtown is serving up some “gusto” as part of the week’s festivities.

The eighth annual festival runs Sept. 19-25 and features food and beverages from area restaurants, hotels and businesses.

In the newly renovated Embassy Suites by Hilton at 800 Monroe Street, the popular CO/OP culinary team of chefs Luke Hawke and Marc Taft set the stage Sept. 22 with “Gusto d’Italia.”

Customers will begin with an appetizer and Italian craft cocktail hour before a four-course dinner and wine pairing. The featured courses will range from seared sea scallop to creamy mushroom risotto. The night ends with CO/OP’s special limoncello dessert.

Sommelier Carlos Cisneros, CMS and mixologist Chloe Smith will be creating magia with spirits and wine.

Purchase tickets here.