Celebrity Chefs and Famous Winemakers Feed Thousands at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

THE SAN DIEGO BAY WINE and FOOD FESTIVAL

Posted by Rob Taylor



The 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. The weeklong Wine & Culinary Experience features appearances by nationally acclaimed chefs, legendary winemakers and television stars.

Held November 16-20, 2011, the event benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food’s culinary and enology arts scholarship program. Over 800 wines, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants and gourmet food companies, and exhibitors participated in the 2010 Festival.

“Wine and food enthusiasts can expect a world-class epicurean experience at this year’s 8th annual festival,” said Michelle Metter, the Festival’s co-producer. “This year’s star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs touches on every end of the culinary spectrum, from James Beard and Michelin Star award-winning chefs to television personalities from Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star. Additionally, this year we are also pleased to announce the Bocuse d’Or Culinary Council Dinner, featuring four celebrated American chefs from around the country.”

This year’s highly esteemed lineup includes James Beard Foundation award-winner for “Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year,” Chef Gale Gand of one-star Michelin rated, four-star Mobil and five-diamond AAA restaurant TRU in Chicago; James Beard Foundation award-winner for “Best California Chef,” Chef Bradley Ogden of James Beard award-winning “Best New Restaurant” Bradley Ogden in Caesar’s Palace; former San Diego Chef Gavin Kaysen of New York's three-star Café Boulud and USA Team Coach for Bocuse d'Or 2013; Chef Michael Cimarusti of two-star Michelin famed Providence in Hollywood; Chef Douglas Keane of Cyrus in Healdsburg, also a two-star Michelin winner; Addison Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef William Bradley; Executive Chef/Owner Suzette Gresham of one-star Michelin rated Acquerello in San Francisco; Executive Chef/Owner Celestino Drago of Drago Centro in Los Angeles; Winners of The Next Food Network Star The Hearty Boys, Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh; former contestants on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, chefs Rich Sweeney, Kenny Gilbert, Eli Kirshtein and Brian Malarkey; and local favorites such as Chef Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef of The Marine Room and Chef Denise Roa, Executive Chef of Rancho La Puerta.

The 2011 Festival is also host to numerous distinguishable names in the wine industry, including award-winning winemakers, sommeliers and master sommeliers, who will be leading wine-tasting seminars and topic discussions on Thursday, November 17th and Friday, November 18th at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center. The esteemed list includes Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman; Master Sommelier Robert Smith; Lisa Redwine, Advanced Sommelier and Food and Beverage Manager for the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club; Advanced Sommelier and Maître d' Will Costello; Sommelier Bonnie Graves; and Paul Mugnier of Dow’s Port.

Wine and food enthusiasts may also get their celebrity chef fix at this year’s Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Big Bottle Auction, taking place on November 20, from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. The luncheon is an unforgettable dining experience featuring five courses expertly paired with wines from 15 legendary wineries and features chefs Gale Gand, Bradley Ogden, Suzette Gresham, Celestino Drago, Bernard Guillas and Denise Roa. The luncheon will kick off in a spirited live auction with jet-setting vacation packages, large format bottles, and one-of-a-kind items that are perfect for the serious wine and food enthusiast. Proceeds from the event’s auction benefit scholarship programs for The American Institute of Wine & Food Culinary and the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

In addition, many of these celebrity chefs, winemakers, and culinary personalities will be present at the Grand Tasting Event held on November 20. The Grand Tasting features 170 wineries, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants, 30 gourmet food companies, the lively “Chef of the Fest” competition, live entertainment, and more. Tickets start at $125.

A complete schedule of events is available online at www.worldofwineevents.com. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 619-342-7337.