Culinary Convergence: San Diego Food + Wine Festival Expands Horizons with Prestigious Partnerships

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival, formerly known as the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, is set to return in November 2024 with a fresh new look, exciting partnerships, and an enhanced program. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the festival has evolved into one of the largest and most impactful culinary events in the country, attracting over 11,000 food and wine enthusiasts from across the United States and Mexico.

Elevating the Culinary Experience with Renowned Collaborators

Forging Connections with the James Beard Foundation and Food Tank

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival is thrilled to announce its new partnerships with the prestigious James Beard Foundation and the global non-profit organization, Food Tank. These collaborations will bring a wealth of expertise, thought leadership, and diverse perspectives to the festival, further solidifying its position as a premier destination for food and wine enthusiasts.The James Beard Foundation, a renowned non-profit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America's food culture, will be joining the festival as a partner. This collaboration will allow attendees to experience unforgettable dining and educational programming, including the opportunity to try new food concepts at the Good To Go by JBF kiosk. The partnership will also showcase exceptional culinary talent, industry leaders, and visitors from New York City and beyond, inspiring food and beverage devotees for years to come.In addition, the festival has teamed up with Food Tank, the world's fastest-growing global non-profit community working towards positive transformation in food production and consumption. This partnership will deliver a groundbreaking summit, "What will the 2024 election mean for the Good Food Movement?", delving into discussions about the future of food with a diverse array of experts, including celebrity chefs, advocates, farmers, civic leaders, and industry CEOs.

Celebrating the Vibrant Culinary Landscape of San Diego and Beyond

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival has always been a celebration of the region's rich culinary heritage, showcasing the diverse influences that have shaped the local food and beverage scene. This year, the festival will continue to honor the impact of Latin, Asian, and BIPOC cultures on the area's thriving culinary landscape, uniting top chefs from both sides of the US-Mexico border.Renowned culinary talents from Food Network, Top Chef, and other prestigious accolades, such as Michelin stars and James Beard Awards, will converge at the festival. Attendees can expect to encounter a lineup of culinary powerhouses, including Maynard Llera, Clarice Lam, Carlos Gaytan, Ray Isle, Roberto Alcocer, Charlotte Randolph, Javier Plascencia, Matt Crafton, Ruffo Ibarra, Suzette Gresham, Travis Swikard, Claudia Sandoval, Kevin Tocino, Jairo Villalvaso, Cameron Ingle, Drew Deckman, Oliver Seki, Marcelo Hisaki, Gerardo Carrera, and Ewan Bennie.

Elevating the Beverage Experience

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival is renowned for its exceptional wine and spirits offerings, and this year's event promises to be no exception. Attendees can look forward to an epic array of over 800 incredible wines and spirits, representing the world's most distinguished wine-growing regions, including Paso Robles, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lodi, Temecula, San Diego, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal.Spirits enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of offerings, from sought-after whiskeys to tequila and mezcal, as well as low and alcohol-free wine and spirit options. The festival's commitment to showcasing the best of the beverage world will undoubtedly delight and educate attendees.

Expanding the Culinary Horizons

In addition to the impressive lineup of chefs and beverages, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival is introducing several new and exciting elements to its programming. These include the Baja Culinary Expedition, a journey through Michelin Guide Mexico with acclaimed chefs and winemakers, and the Culinary Cinema series, a collaboration with the Coronado Island Film Festival that will feature food-inspired films and engaging panel discussions.The festival is also launching a new addition called Creator Live, which will gather top influential creators in the culinary, travel, and lifestyle spaces for a day of master classes, workshops, and brand experiences designed to educate and inspire the food creator community.

Celebrating the Festival's 20th Anniversary in Style

As the San Diego Food + Wine Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, the organizers have curated a lineup of events and experiences that promise to make this year's edition truly unforgettable. The festivities will kick off with the Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night: Grand Decant, a grand celebration featuring exceptional James Beard Award-recognized chefs and beverage talents, as well as hundreds of wineries and spirits pouring their best vintages and varietals.The festival's signature Grand Tasting event will be an epic waterfront celebration showcasing all-star chef and beverage talent, including live-fire VIP experiences, Michelin-rated and James Beard-nominated chefs, the return of Cohn Restaurant Group's Cohnchella, and immersive tastings from renowned wine regions.The Grand Fiesta, a celebration of food, wine, and culture from Baja and beyond, will also make a comeback, featuring dozens of culinary stations, live music, and the beloved annual "Taco TKO" competition.With these exciting new elements and partnerships, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience that celebrates the region's culinary excellence, fosters meaningful connections, and inspires food and wine enthusiasts from around the world.