Kat Riggins and her boyfriend Jerome Gross, both 30, had never been to the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. But less than an hour after arriving on Royal Street Thursday, they were happy they’d decided to go.

“We haven’t been many places yet but everything we’ve had has been great,” said Riggins as she enjoyed a plate of beef and pasta at Latrobe’s at the corner of Royal and Conti streets. Riggins, a local bar manager, recently moved to the city from Miami. The Wine & Food Festival was her first event in New Orleans.

“It’s really nice,” she said as she took another bite of roast beef. “I’m having a good time.”

Families, couples and food lovers braved the New Orleans heat to sample hundreds of wines, enjoy live jazz performances and taste food from some of the best restaurants in New Orleans at the 19th Annual New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. The festival, which includes wine auctions, wine dinners and a day of seminars, lasted for five days beginning May 26.

Gold banners with green wine bottles and “NOWFE” written in purple letters led wine lovers into narrow antique shops, art galleries and even a gun store, all of which transformed into troves of wine and delectable food.

The street was a sea of half-filled glasses of white and red wine, and small plates topped with everything from charbroiled mussels to cured duck breast on focaccia. About halfway through the festivities, the street was filled with walking grapes — men in togas and women with vines wrapped around their bodies. The Krewe of Cork, a popular Mardi Gras parade participant, gave festival goers a show with their wine-inspired costumes, brass band and — of course — plenty of wine.

The Royal Street Stroll offered wine lovers a way to sample different brands and also gave local businesses a chance to show off their goods for the people who streamed in and out of their stores.

Bourbon French Parfums was packed with patrons sampling wine while browsing the shelves of flowery perfumes and delicate perfume bottles. Owner Mary Behlar beamed as she watched potential customers taking in the scents of chamomile, honeysuckle and a special concoction called “voodoo love.”

Among those participating in the festivities was Jamie Lauren, a contestant from season five of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Lauren, who was accompanied by her sous chef and a friend, was surprised to be considered a celebrity, even though she didn’t win the show.

“I’m just excited to be in New Orleans and to be here,” she said as she took in a performer balancing motionless on a ladder.

The stroll officially ended at 8:30 p.m., but the crowd was having too much fun to notice, and many walked one block over to the permanent party on Bourbon Street.

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