The first Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11 and 12, will bring lovers of fine food and wine together with more than a dozen celebrated chefs, bites from numerous local restaurants, and tastings by 50 of California’s outstanding wineries.
“Palm Springs has the hip, trendy and bohemian chef-owned restaurants that will be highlighted in this event,” said Jeff Hocker, the executive producer of the festival. “We’ll be introducing some amazing foods from chef-owned restaurants, such as the Pink Cabana, SO.PA, the Colony Club, Workshop and others in the valley. Also, we’re bringing in some of the coolest musicians that will perform in very chill areas while sipping fine boutique wines and eating samples of unique and inspired cuisine.”
Celebrity chefs scheduled to participate include Susan Feniger, Martin Yan, Top Chef alum Joe Sasto and Brown Sugar Kitchen’s Tanya Holland, among others.
Andrew Warner, corporate chef at Tommy Bahama, talked about some of the dishes he’ll be presenting, including ahi tuna tacos, bite-sized key lime pie samples, and some of the famous Tommy Bahama mai tais. He will be demonstrating the preparation of aguachile bluefin tuna with pears, pineapple, cilantro and fresh citrus juices.
“People always compare us to chain restaurants,” he said. “But people don’t realize our food is made from scratch. We use fresh produce, seafood and seasonal ingredients, and use regional dishes to create our menus.”
Different tastes have always excited Warner. “My Japanese grandmother moved to Oregon after she got married, and introduced me to different tastes and foods,” he said. “Since then, I’ve always loved to try and experience new things.”
To match the food, domestic and international wineries will be offering some of their best bottles, including organic vintages; numerous wine experts will also take part, including Geoff Labitzke. He’s only one of 414 Masters of Wine alive, according to the Institute of Masters of Wine.
Shelley Lindgren, a best-selling author and leading authority on Italian wines, will be on hand. Lindgren has earned the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program, and has even been knighted by the Italian government, receiving the Cavaliere dell’Ordine Della Stella Italia designation. Also present will be astronaut Jose Hernández, who recently received the 2016 National Hispanic Hero Award, presented by the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, and who is now owner of Tierra Luna Winery.
Liam Mayclem, “The Foodie Chap” on KCBS Radio and a popular podcaster, will be one of the celebrity hosts. Born in London, he has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, and now resides in San Francisco.
“My love for food started in 1989 with a writing food assignment for the BBC,” he said. “Food for me was something more than to stay alive; it has been my passion. The food culinary community is my tribe.”
Mayclem said he’s happy to participate in part because some of the festival proceeds will go to support the Culinary Institute of America, providing scholarships for the next generation of chefs. The CIA, DAP Health and Les Dames d’Escoffier are listed as the charity beneficiaries.
“This is dear to my heart,” Mayclem said. “… The Festival is in its infancy, but like a good wine it will age well.”
For tickets and a complete list of participants, visit palmspringsfoodandwine.org.