Culinary Masters, Legendary Winemakers And 10,000 Foodies Collide As The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Celebrates Its 11th Year

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tickets for the 11^th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, Southern California's largest wine and food festival, have officially launched and are available to the public.  The most crave-worthy event of the year takes the spotlight this November 16-23, 2014, for its 11th season in what promises to be its most indulgent celebration yet.  The star-studded food and wine classic takes place in various locations across San Diego, with over 20 opportunities to satiate enthusiasts' appetites for luxury wine and food throughout the week, said Michelle Metter, co-producer of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

"The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has become the common ground for exceptional chefs, winemakers, negociants, sommeliers, mixologists, butchers, brewmasters, cheese mongers, farmers, food merchants and producers of all scale," added Metter.  "The level of talent and our community's connection to the art, pleasure and celebration of food makes San Diego the ideal destination to once again play host to the over 10,000 guests in town for the Festival."

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wines and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods.  The week- long epicurean experience celebrates San Diego's vibrant culinary community with over 20 citywide events, wine and cooking classes, chef dinners, and multiple tasting events throughout the week.  The Festival's legendary Grand Tasting presented by Kia K900 transforms the beautiful San Diego Bay into a food lover's paradise, featuring 200 wineries, breweries and spirits from around the world, 70 local restaurants plus dozens of gourmet food companies, and the "Chef of the Fest Competition" where San Diego's best chefs take center stage.

This year's food and wine festival features rare tasting experiences including a highly-coveted tasting of the great Spanish wines of Vega Sicilia's Unico from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's; a First-Growth Bordeaux tasting of all five First Growths of the 1855 Bordeaux wine classification including Chateaux Lafite, Latour, Mouton, Margaux and Haut Brion; and a 1,000 Point Tasting of ten, 100 point wines presented by Kia K900, this year led by the acclaimed Master Sommelier Fred Dame.

Additionally the Festival attracts celebrated chefs from across the country including James Beard award-winning chefs Nate Appleman, Gale Gand, and RJ Cooper, Antonin Careme medal holder Suzette Gresham, Iron Chef America winner Katsuya Fukushima, Chef Richard Blais and Chef Jon Sloan of Juniper & Ivy, authors of Talk With Your Mouth Full, The Hearty Boys, and author of El Farol: Tapas and Spanish Cuisine, James Campbell Caruso.

Local culinary standouts also fill out the roster of chef all-stars, including Bernard Guillas of La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and The Marine Room, Sam Burman of Grant Grill, Alex Carballo of URBN Coal Fired Pizza, Ivan Flowers of Top of the Market, Aron Schwartz of Marina Kitchen, Brian Bonney of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, John Medall of The Patio Restaurant Group, Kevin Templeton of barleymash, Chad White of Comun Kitchen & Tavern, Abe Botello of West Coast Tavern, Derek Jaeger of The Cravory, Ryan Johnston of Whisknladle, Giorgio Lo Verde of Il Fornaio Coronado, Jason McLeod of Ironside Fish & Oyster, Paul Murphy of Humphreys Restaurant, Duvinh Ta of Jake's Del Mar, Alfie Szeprethy of Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Nicolas Bour of Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Jonathan McCann of Odysea, Sam Kambo of Royal India, Erin Kuba of Kuba Kreations, Jorge Gutierrez of Romesco Mex Med Bistro, Christopher Spayde of Bluewave Bar & Grill, Tommy Fraioli and George Morris of Beaumont's Eatery, Arnie Espanoza of Dick's Last Resort, Christina Pancheri of Tavern, Brad Hightow of University Club Atop Symphony Towers, and others.

This year's schedule shines with celebrated Master Sommeliers and M.S. candidates leading the lineup of once-in-a-lifetime tastings.   Notables spearheading this year's discussions include the acclaimed Frederick Dame, Michael Jordan, Sur Lucero, Thomas Price and San Diego-based Sommeliers Lisa Redwine of La Jolla Shores and The Marine Room, Joshua Orr of Marina Kitchen, and Jeff Josenhans of the US Grant. 

To preview the schedule of events and featured celebrities visit the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival online at www.sandiegowineclassic.com.  Events, personalities and participating wineries and restaurants are updated daily.

Contact:
Haley Messner
619-312-1212
[email protected]

SOURCE San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival