The San Diego Food + Wine Festival is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this November 2-10, showcasing a diverse lineup of culinary talent from Southern California, Mexico, and beyond, which includes participants like Alice Waters, Elizabeth Falkner, and many more.
This year's event will feature an array of renowned chefs, including James Beard Award winners and Michelin-starred restaurateurs, along with popular personalities from Food Network and Top Chef. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience exclusive dinners, tastings, and even a trip to Mexico’s famous wine region. The festival will spotlight the cultural influences of Latin, Asian, and BIPOC communities on Southern California’s vibrant food scene, with chefs from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border contributing to the event.
In addition to its culinary appeal, the festival serves as a platform for thought leaders in the food and beverage industry. New partnerships this year include collaborations with the James Beard Foundation and Food Tank, a nonprofit organization advocating for sustainable food practices.
Notable participants at this year's event include Alice Waters (Chef, Author and pioneer of farm-to-table movement), Ray Isle (Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine), Maynard Llera (2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California), Anne McBride (Vice President of Programs for The James Beard Foundation), Roberto Alcocer (1-star Michelin Chef of Malva in Oceanside), Elizabeth Falkner ( Top Chef television series alum), Suzette Gresham (2-star Michelin of Aquerello in San Francisco), Gale Gand (Food Network Personality, Two time James Beard Award Winner), and many more.
Plus internationally acclaimed winemakers and distillers alongside chefs from some of San Diegan’s favorite local restaurants will participate through the week, including Deeply Nourished, Paradise Point Resort and Spa, Beshock Ramen and Sake Bar, Caliano Pizza, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, The Desmond, NV Private Events, Coco Maya, Miss B’s, Austin NoLa, Luna Grill, Red O, STK Steakhouse, Barracruda, The Red Chickz, Basta!, Huntress, The Shellfish Affair, Dang Brother Pizza, The Blind Burro, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Eddie V’s, Puesto, and Garibaldi, to name a few.
The festival will feature a variety of events, culminating in a series of signature experiences, including the Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night: Grand Decant on November 8, the Grand Tasting on November 9, and the Grand Fiesta on November 10, in which promo code SDVILLE saves on tickets. The full program also includes a Food Tank Summit, Culinary Cinema Series in collaboration with the Coronado Island Film Festival, specialty dinners, and interactive culinary experiences.
The San Diego Food + Wine Festival has consistently been recognized as a top-tier event, recently being named "Best Wine Festival" by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for two consecutive years. Proceeds from the festival benefit culinary, oenology, and hospitality scholarships, with over $600,000 raised through past events.
Tickets for individual events, weekend packages, and additional experiences are available for purchase. For more details, including information on hotel packages and flights, visit sandiegowineclassic.com and Instagram at @sdfoodwine and check out the current list of participants below.
- 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)
- Anne McBride (Vice President of Programs, The James Beard Foundation)
- Roberto Alcocer (Malva, Valle de Guadalupe and Valle, Oceanside, 1-star Michelin)
- Charlotte Randolph (Inaugural Michelin Sommelier of the Year, co-owner of Californios, San Francisco, 2-star Michelin)
- Matt Crafton (Winemaker, Chateau Montelena, Calistoga)
- Danielle Nierenberg (President, Food Tank)
- Ruffo Ibarra (Orix Restaurante, Baja, Bocuse d’Or)
- Suzette Gresham (2-star Michelin Aquerello, San Francisco)
- Travis Swikard (Michelin Bib Gourmand, Callie, San Diego)
- Claudia Sandoval (Claudia’s Cocina, Master Chef Latino)
- Kevin Gómez (North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024; Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana)
- Jairo Villalvaso (Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico, Beef, Baja)
- Cameron Ingle (Marisi, La Jolla)
- Drew Deckman (1-star Michelin, Conchas de Piedra, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja + 31THIRTYONE)
- Oliver Seki (Seki Restaurante, Baja, Bocuse d’Or)
- Marcelo Hisaki (Restaurant Amores, Baja, Michelin + Bocuse d’Or)
- Gerardo Carrera (Sabina Sabe; Oaxaca, #22 World’s Best Bars 2023)
- Ewan Bennie (Young Blood; San Diego, #49 World’s Best Bars 2022)
- Mawa McQueen (Mawa’s Kitchen, Aspen)
- Ming Pu (James Beard Policy for Change Boot Camp Alum, Brooklyn and The Butcher, New Albany, IN)
- Matt Vawter (James Beard Foundation Awards 2024 Winner Best Chef: Mountain; Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colorado)
- David Alarcon (Fuego Santo, Piedra Santa, Baja)
- Esteban Lluis (Michelin Star 2024, Damiana, Baja)
- Mairym Monti Carlo (Netflix, Food Network)
- Hugo D’Acosta (Winemaker, Casa de Piedra, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
- Lulú Martinez (Winemaker, Bruma Winery, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
- Oscar Torres (1-star Michelin; Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
- Javier Plascencia ( 2016 James Beard Award Nominee Best New Restaurant, 1-star Michelin, Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
- James Trees (2020 James Beard Award Finalist Best Chef Southwest; Esther’s Kitchen, Las Vegas)
- Juan Cabrera (Casa Tijuan, Baja)
- Diane Moss (Project New Village)
- Bob Kamensky (CEO of Feeding San Diego)
- Jonathan Bautista (James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist 2023; Ember & Rye, Carlsbad)
- Jiranan Tanvilai Mo, Eo Pitiwartarlai, JuMi Pitiwartarlai (Sovereign Modern Thai, San Diego)
- Javier Caro (La Justina and Oja y Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
- Denise Grande (Solare Ristorante, San Diego)
- Ken Cook (President, Environmental Working Group)
- Mark Kropczynski (AAA Four Diamond; The US Grant Hotel, San Diego)
- Gustavo Arellano (Los Angeles Times)
- Danny + Dante Romero (Two Ducks, The Lion Share, Ponyboy, San Diego)
- Eduardo Salgado (Food & Wine en Español’s Best New Chef 2024; ‘Emat, Baja)
- Anthony Wells (James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist 2022; Juniper & Ivy, San Diego)
- Reyna Venegas (Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico Manager; Rancho La Puerta, Baja)
- Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter (Theology and Religious Studies, USD)
- Stephane Voitzwinkler (AAA Four Diamond; Mister A’s, San Diego)
- Miguel Angel Guerrero (La Querencia, La Esperanza, Baja)
- Bernard Guillas (Maître Cuisinier de France)
- David Sim (Kingfisher, San Diego)
- Jennifer Gilmore (CEO of Kitchens for Good)
- Clare Fox (Executive Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders)
- Martin San Roman (Former Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico; Dobsons, San Diego)
- Carlos Esquivel (Corazón D’Petra, Baja)
- Ian Ward (Ponyboy, San Diego)
- Angelo Sosa (Tia Carmen, Kembara, Phoenix, Top Chef)
- Josh Orr (Master Sommelier, Broadbent Selections)
- Touré Folkes (Executive Director of Turning Tables)
- Jaz Brisack (Union Organizer, Starbucks Workers United)
- Emily Burgueno (Head Seed Keeper, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel)
- Beau du Bois (America’s Top 25 bartenders by The Daily Meal; Roma Norte, San Diego)
- Jack Ford (Owner/Rancher; Taj Farms)
- DuVal Warner (Ranch 45, Solana Beach)
- James Montejano (Executive Chef, L’Auberge Del Mar)
- Gale Gand (Food Network Personality, Two time James Beard Award Winner, Restaurateur, Author)
