In its 19th year, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is once again putting the city in the national spotlight by bringing together an unprecedented roster of talent for a week-long exploration of culinary innovation, storytelling and of course, celebration.
Whether making appearances at the acclaimed Grand Weekend events, hosting specialty dinners, tastings, and excursions to Mexico’s acclaimed wine country, or serving on the Festival’s Scholarship Culinary Council, the regionally and nationally-recognized chefs and celebrity personalities at the center of this year’s festival are offering attendees the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the culinary evolution that continues to gain momentum in San Diego.
James Beard award nominees, Michelin-starred restaurants, Food Network and Top Chef talent join the lineup
GRAND WEEKEND & SPECIALTY EVENTS
Roberto Alcocer (Malva, Valle de Guadalupe and Valle, Oceanside)
Eric Bost (Campfire + Jeune et Jolie, Carlsbad)
Travis Swikard (Callie, San Diego)
Claudia Sandoval (Claudia’s Cocina, Master Chef Latino)
Drew Deckman (Deckman’s, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
William Eick (Matsu, Oceanside)
Matt Doyle (Sundeck at The Little Nell, Aspen)
Davin Waite (The Plot, Oceanside)
Daniel + Dante Romero (Two Ducks, San Diego)
Josh Mouzakes (ARLO, San Diego)
Quinnton Austin (Grind & Prosper Hospitality Group, San DIego)
Jack Ford (Taj Farms)
Petra Bergstein-Higby (The Caviar Company, San Francisco)
Cameron Ingle (Marisi, La Jolla)
Tom Fischer (BourbonBlog)
Kelston Moore (Bad Boyz of Culinary, San Diego)
Tony Bennett (Bad Boyz of Culinary, San Diego)
Maya Madsen (Maya’s Cookies, San Diego)
DuVal Warner (Ranch 45, Del Mar)
Ricardo Heredia (Garibaldi, San Diego)
Erik Aronow (Puesto, San Diego)
Antonio de Livier (Top Chef VIP, Baja)
Lauro Martinez (Hudson & Nash, San Diego)
David Alarcon (Fuego Santo, Piedra Santa)
Rael Coronado (Savage Restaurant, Baja)
Eduardo Salgado (Emat, Baja)
Juan Cabrera (Casa Tijuan, Baja)
Javier Caro (La Justina and Oja y Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Oliver Seki (Seki Restaurante, Baja)
Marcelo Hisaki (Amores, Baja)
Jorge Fuentes (Mariscos German Beyer, Baja)
Diego Vargas (Rancho Tecate Resort, Baja)
Luis Cardenas (Once Pueblos, Baja)
Sandra Vazquez (Once Pueblos, Baja)
Vicente Ortiz (Don Chente bar and Grill, Baja)
Amanda Palomino (Kitchens for Good, Baja)
Sergio Jimenez (Avant, San Diego)
Joe Paulden (Coasterra, San Diego)
Kelli Crosson (The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla)
Brad Wise (Trust Restaurant Group, San Diego)
Brian Redzikowski (Kettner Exchange, San Diego)
Mark Kropczynski (US Grant Hotel, San Diego)
AJ Venancio (Porkyland, San Diego)
Aron Schwartz (Ranch 45, Del Mar)
Phillip Hoffer (Carte Hotel, San Diego)
Denice Grande (Solare Ristorante, San Diego)
Hector Casanova (Casanova Fish Taco, Spring Valley)
Tim Kolonko (Urban Kitchen Group, San Diego)
Flor Franco (Casa de Flor, San Diego)
James Montejano (McCormick & Kuleto’s, San Francisco)
Gavin Mills (Not Not Tacos, San Diego)
Armando Gallardo (Margarita’s Kitchen & Cantina)
Jon Bautista (The Fishery, San Diego)
Gale Gand (Chicago, Illinois)
Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh (The Hearty Boys, Chicago)
Sabrina Nyswonger (Private Chef)
Jason Neroni (The Desmond, San Diego)
David Sim (Kingfisher)
Rosie O’Connor (Provecho Grill, Menifee, CA)
Larry Abrams (The Cottage, La Jolla)
Joe Marshall (Home Depot Design Center, San Diego)
Keith Corbin (Alta Adams, Los Angeles)
Sam the Cooking Guy (Graze by Sam, San Diego)
Brandon Sloan (The Pendry Hotel, San Diego)
Jason Witzl (Jolie, Coronado)
Cameron Dixon (333 Pacific, San Diego)
Tim Eyers (BBQ Land, San Diego)
Michael Rodriquez (Pacific Social, San Diego)
Sofia Garcia (Con Pane, San Diego)
Tommy Gomes (‘The Fishmonger’, The Outdoor Channel)
Suzette Gresham (Aquerello, San Francisco)
Bernard Guillas (Maître Cuisinier de France)
Mark Welker (Paradisaea, La Jolla)
Katsuya Fukushima (Daikaya, Washington D.C.)
William Eick (Matsu, Oceanside)
Davin Waite (The Plot, Oceanside)
Keith Corbin (Alta Adams, Los Angeles)
BAJA EXPEDITION
David Castro & Maribel Aldaco (Fauna, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Roberto Alcocer (Malva, Valle de Guadalupe and Valle, Oceanside)
CULINARY COUNCIL
Jessica + Davin Waite (Disruptive Dining)
DuVal Warner (Ranch 45, Del Mar)
Bernard Guillas (Maître Cuisinier de France)
Flor Franco (Casa de Flor, San Diego)
Aron Schwartz (Ranch 45, Del Mar)
Marcee Katz (Chef Works, San Diego)
Jesse Llaptian (Loews Coronado Bay)
Claudia Sandoval (Celebrity Chef)
Recognized as the Best Wine Festival by USA TODAY in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards 2023, and surrounded by the beautiful coastal scenery of the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival will host over 11,000 wine and food enthusiasts for a weeklong, flavor-packed celebration filled with a schedule of dynamic programming that will include specially curated dining opportunities with culinary trailblazers, educational talks, and immersive hands-on experiences, culminating in an incredible weekend featuring the annual Grand Decant on Friday, November 10, the Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 11, and the Grand Fiesta on Sunday, November 12.
