A Culinary Milestone: The San Diego Food + Wine Festival Returns for 20th Anniversary

Celebrating two decades of gastronomic excellence, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival is gearing up for its grand return from November 2-10, 2024. This year’s festival promises to be the most spectacular yet, offering a fresh look, new partnerships, and enhanced programming. Known as one of the largest culinary events on the West Coast, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival attracts more than 11,000 food and wine enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Mexico. With its rich cross-border influences and a spotlight on the best flavors from Southern California and beyond, the festival has become a magnet for culinary luminaries and food lovers alike.

A Festival with Impact: New Partnerships + Purpose

What started as a celebration of San Diego's local talent has grown into a major platform that goes beyond entertainment. The 2024 edition marks the festival's 20th anniversary, and to commemorate this milestone, the event has partnered with two iconic organizations: the James Beard Foundation and Food Tank. The festival has evolved into more than just a celebration of food and drink. It’s a vibrant hub for thought leaders and innovators in the culinary world, bringing awareness to important conversations around sustainability, equity, and the future of the food industry.

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re evolving as a multi-genre, multi-cultural festival that is mission and value-led,” says co-producer Michelle Metter. “A festival with soul that inspires and entertains, that is as diverse as it is delicious.”

Food Tank’s involvement adds a new facet to the event. The Food Tank Summit, hosted alongside KPBS, will tackle the topic “What’s the Future of the Good Food Movement?”—bringing together chefs, farmers, advocates, and civic leaders to discuss the future of food.

Celebrating Diversity Through Culinary Excellence

The San Diego Food + Wine Festival has long celebrated the cultural melting pot that defines Southern California's food scene, and this year’s event continues that tradition by highlighting Latin, Asian, and BIPOC influences. The festival will showcase chefs and beverage talents from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, featuring Michelin-starred chefs, James Beard Award winners, and culinary personalities from Food Network and Top Chef. Notable chefs and stars in the beverage world in attendance will include:

• Restaurateur, chef and food activist, Alice Waters
• Chef, restaurateur and author, Elizabeth Falkner
• Ray Isle (Author, The World in a Wineglass, Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine Magazine,)
• Maynard Llera (Kuya Lord, LA, 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California)
• Clarice Lam (Author, Breaking Bao, 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist Best New Restaurant)
• Carlos Gaytán (Hà, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 1-star Michelin; Paseo, Anaheim; Tzuco, Chicago; Top Chef; Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico)
• Charlotte Randolph (Californios, San Francisco, Michelin Sommelier of the Year)

From local stars to international talents, the 2024 San Diego Food + Wine Festival will present a curated collection of culinary experiences that spotlight both established and up-and-coming figures in the food world.

A Star-Studded Lineup of Events

This year’s festival promises an unforgettable week of events, tastings, and hands-on experiences. Kicking off with the Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night: Grand Decant, guests will enjoy wines and spirits poured by world-class producers from Paso Robles, Napa, Sonoma, Spain, France, and more, along with bites from James Beard honored chefs. Proceeds from the night will benefit the James Beard Foundation’s mission of supporting sustainable food practices and fostering equity in the food industry.

The Grand Tasting at the Port of San Diego on November 9th will be the event’s centerpiece, held on the stunning waterfront, with Michelin-starred chefs, James Beard nominees, and immersive tastings that span both local and international flavors. The return of Cohnchella, an epic culinary and music mashup hosted by the Cohn Restaurant Group, the Brandt Beef Experience, and the Live Fire VIP Experience are highlights that promise to make this year’s Grand Tasting especially memorable.

For those seeking adventure, the Baja Culinary Expedition offers a unique journey into Mexico's wine and food scene. This Michelin-inspired experience will explore the world-renowned Valle de Guadalupe with top chefs and winemakers leading the way.

The festivities culminate with the Grand Fiesta on November 10th, a joyous celebration of Baja cuisine, live music, and the much-anticipated annual Taco TKO competition.

New Additions: Creator Live and Culinary Cinema

In 2024, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival  debuts Creator Live, a series of master classes and workshops designed for culinary creators in the social media space. Influencers and content creators in food, travel, and lifestyle will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and share best practices in this ever-evolving digital age.

Another exciting addition is Culinary Cinema, a collaboration between the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and the Coronado Island Film Festival. Featuring food-inspired films, the screenings will be accompanied by panel discussions with filmmakers, chefs, and on-screen talent, making this a unique blend of art and gastronomy.

Tickets + Information

As the San Diego Food + Wine Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, it stands tall as one of the nation’s premier culinary events. For more information, visit the festival website or follow along on Instagram at @sdfoodwine. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of San Diego’s culinary renaissance in one unforgettable week.

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