Get a Taste of OC at the "OC Tastefest"

COSTA MESA, Calif., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating the diversity of food in Orange County, a new annual food, music and wine festival will be introduced to Orange County the first weekend in May.  The 2012 OC Tastefest will be held Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.

"We're excited to bring an event like this to Orange County," said Gary Kutscher, Event Director. "OC Tastefest is a weekend celebration of food and the OC culture featuring cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and great live music performances."

With restaurants including Cucina Alessa, Marrakesh, Port Restaurant, Salt Creek Grille, Ten Asian Bistro, Wahoo's, Wingstop, Slater's 50/50, among others, and more being added daily, the OC Tastefest offers attendees the chance to sample foods from some of OC's top restaurants; more than 20 OC cities will be represented.

"We are thrilled to support such a great community event," said Pamela Waitt, President of the Orange County Restaurant Association. "The OC Tastefest is a creative way to explore fantastic food in Orange County.  I'm excited to see this event evolve into a community favorite."

"Orange County is a great place for foodies, and we're happy an event like this has come together," said Kim Glen, Marketing Manager for the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau. "We're going to do everything we can to make this a successful annual foodie event in Costa Mesa."

The OC Tastefest will be held in conjunction with the 2012 OC Marathon, which anticipates more than 18,000 registered participants in all events this year.  All runners will receive one free entry into the OC Tastefest. Registrants will pick up their bibs during the OC Marathon Expo on May 4th and 5th and can then enter the OC Tastefest.  The OC Tastefest will not be held on Sunday, May 6th, as the OC Marathon will be the main event at the OC Fairgrounds.

The price of admission is $12 for a one-day advance purchase online ticket and $18 for both days.  General admission at the event will be $20 for a single-day ticket.  Each paid General Admission ticket admits one and includes 10 Tastefest coupons ($5 value).  Additional Tastefest coupons can be purchased.  Learn more about the OC Tastefest at www.OCTastefest.com.

SOURCE OC Tastefest