Star-Studded Lineup Announced For San Diego Food & Wine Festival

The 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, the largest wine and food festival in Southern California, announced today the partial star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs, rising culinary stars, sommeliers and master sommeliers making an appearance at this year's event. Held November 17-21, the weeklong culinary extravaganza features some of the most well-known chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and television personalities in the industry, coming together to share their passion for outstanding food and wine with 10,000 'foodies' who experience the event each year, said Michelle Metter, the Festival's co-producer.

"The culinary star power featured at this year's Festival has never been seen before in the city of San Diego," added Metter. "The Festival is a major culinary tourism attraction, and this year's lineup is on par with the local and national star power seen at major festivals around the United States. The 2010 Festival gives food and wine enthusiasts across the nation the opportunity to meet the stars face-to-face and experience true wine, spirit and culinary talent at its best."

The lineup of celebrity participants in this year's San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival include the likes of James Beard Award winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, Cooking Light Magazine's Executive Chef Billy Strynkowski, StarChefs Rising Star and Executive Chef of José Andrés Catering by Ridgewell's Chef Katsuya Fukushima, Chef Patrice Olivon of the French Embassy, former Bravo "Top Chef" star and host of TLC's "Mega Bites" Brian Malarkey, 11th generation glass maker Maximillian Riedel, Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman, Chef Suzette Gresham of Acquerello, television star Sam Zien of "Sam the Cooking Guy," Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room, Chef Deborah Scott of Indigo Grill/Kemo Sabe/ Island Prime/ C Level, Chocolatier Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier, Chef Scott Wagner of ChileCo Catering, Chef William Bradley and Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez of Addison Del Mar, founder of the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center John Alongé, Sommelier Lisa Redwine of The Shores Restaurant, among others.

Celebrity chefs, television personalities and winemakers will participate in the Festival's cooking and wine tasting classes, as well as several other events taking place throughout the week. The week-long schedule of events is as follows:
VIP Party (November 14) - Media, Chefs and VIPs will hit the beach at W Hotel for a preview of what's in store at this year's San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. By invitation only.
WineRave 2010 (November 17) - WineRave San Diego kicks off the Festival by hosting 25 of the edgiest wine and spirits on the market today. Dance the night away at one of San Diego's top nightclubs, while sipping on exceptional vino. Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 at the door.
Wine Tasting & Cooking Classes (November 18 & 19) - Held at the Macy's School of Cooking and the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, nationally acclaimed chefs, award-winning winemakers and culinary personalities turn up the heat in a number of wine tasting and cooking classes. Price: ranges from $55-$125.
Celebrity Dine Around (November 18) - Held at various restaurants around the city, the Celebrity Dine Around features a world-class pairing of a local and celebrity chef, coming together to create this awe-inspiring dinner series. Dinners range from three to five courses and are paired with wine. Ticket price varies. Please visit website.
Industry Insiders Party (November 18) - Only 50 coveted tickets are available for this invite-only industry party, where celebrity chefs and culinary legends collide. Tickets are $200.
Reserve & New Release Tasting featuring AIWF Silent Auction (November 19) - An exclusive and elegant evening for collectors of fine wine, the Reserve & New Release Tasting sets the stage for wine enthusiasts to taste the pride of the vine from 160 wineries and spirits producers, enjoy live entertainment, silent auction, and 10 gourmet food corners. Held on the Hornblower's Inspiration. Tickets are $100 in advance, $125 at the door.
Grand Tasting Event & "Chef of the Fest" Competition (November 20) - This mega-tasting is among the largest of its kind in the nation. Features over 170 wineries, breweries and spirit producers, 70 of San Diego's finest restaurants, 30 gourmet food companies, the "Chef of the Fest" Competition, Night & Day VIP tent, cookbook author signing, live entertainment, and more. Held at the Embarcadero Park North. Tickets range from $125 - $175.
Celebrity Chef Luncheon & AIWF Big Bottle Auction (November 21) - Features 15 celebrity winemakers and a world-class menu prepared by nationally acclaimed chefs. The luncheon culminates in a spirited live auction with jet-setting vacation packages, large format bottles, and one-of-a-kind items that are perfect for the serious wine and food enthusiast. Held at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. Tickets start at $150.
Proceeds from the event's live and silent auctions benefit the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary and enology scholarships for students and professionals in San Diego. To date, the Festival has raised over $150,000 for the AIWF scholarship program.

Tickets and the complete schedule for the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival are now available at www.worldofwineevents.com or by calling 619-342-7337.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

The 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 17-21, 2010, the event benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship program. Over 170 wineries, 70 of San Diego's top fine dining restaurants and 30 gourmet food companies and exhibitors will participate in the 2010 Festival. For more information visit www.worldofwineevents.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions. For more information call 858-578-9463.