By DeAnn Lubell
Photos provided by Diana Marlo
One of the most spectacular and anticipated Coachella Valley events of the season is right around the corner. If you have never experienced the annual Desert Woman’s Show, please buy your ticket now for the opportunity to immerse yourself in a day of amazing activities and exhibitions.
The 17th Annual Desert Woman’s Show, produced by Marlo Productions, opens Saturday, February 15, at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. at the Classic Club in Palm Desert. This popular festival draws in hundreds of individuals every year to enjoy inspirational presentations; two fashion shows; vendors offering a wide variety of shopping opportunities; mouth-watering food offerings from several of the top restaurants and eateries in the desert; wine and beer tastings; an Italian cooking demonstration by Celebrity Chef Antonello Zito; a charity golf tournament benefitting the nonprofit The Unforgettables Foundation; and insightful growth related breakout sessions by The Lighthouse and the Modern Medium, plus so much more.
GOLF TOURNAMENT: The Desert Woman’s Show annual charity golf tournament kicks off the day early in the morning. “Open to men and women,” said event founder, Diana Marlo, “this tournament is more than just a game – it is an opportunity to make a profound impact to our community as proceeds benefit The Unforgettables Foundation, an organization dedicated to honoring the memories of children and ensuring they are remembered with dignity and love. By participating, you’ll not only enjoy time on the green, but also join a mission to provide hope and compassion to families in need.”
HEADLINING THE DAY: Award winning chef, restauranteur, and media personality Antonello Zito, owner of Palmina at Puglia in Palm Springs and Puglia Italian Restaurant in Lake Arrowhead, will give a talk and cooking presentation taking his audience on a gastronomic journey through the heart of Italy as he masterfully showcases his techniques that promise not only to tantalize taste buds, but inspire one’s inner chef.
“In the heart of Puglia, Italy where the land meets the sea,” said Zito, I’ve learned that cooking is more than a skill, it is a dance with nature’s bounty and a symphony of tradition. Every dish we create tells a story of generations past and present, reminding us that true culinary magic lies in honoring our roots while embracing the art of innovation.”
Zito has over 20 years of experience in the food industry and has won top awards as the Italian Champion of Pizza Napoletana Classica; Chopped champion 2023; Chopped Grand Champion Battle Italiano on the Food Network 2024, as well as team winner international division Las Vegas world Pizza contest 2024.
A special introduction of Chef Zito will be made by philanthropist and author Barbara Rogers, who is known for her best-selling cookbook, It’s A No Grainer, that features unique gluten-free delicious and low-carb Keto friendly recipes. Rogers and her friends recently returned from a trip to Italy with Chef Zito where they got to experience the sights, sounds, smells and, of course, the fabulous cuisine of Puglia. “Antonello is an amazing chef with an effervescent personality and a good friend of mine,” said Rogers. “I stumbled across meeting him at his restaurant in Lake Arrowhead named after his hometown in Italy. What impressed me so much was that his eggplant Parmesan was not breaded. It was the best I’ve ever tasted. His food is clean eating, using no chemicals and his pizza is out of the world.”
FASHION SHOWS: Fashionistas! You won’t want to miss these popular fashion shows featuring stunning designs from local boutiques including Lilly Pulitzer, Coco Rose, Kyle & Shahida, The Dori Collection, Grayseful, Margaux, and Pure Essentials.
THE GREATER PALM SPRINGS FOOD & WINE EXPO: Nestled in a special area of the spacious Classic Club grounds will be an impressive gathering of the finest restaurants and eateries in the desert offering tastings of specialties and epicurean delights. Not only will guests get the opportunity to enjoy amazing food, but the chance to imbibe samplings of wine and beer from the best wineries and breweries around. Participating businesses include La Copa Sports Social, Willie’s Modern Fare, Coachella Valley Coffee, Palmina at Puglia Italian Restaurant, Cowboy Cantina, Big Rock Golf & Pub, Fresh Juice Bar, Korbel Champagne, Wally’s Desert Turtle, Raquet Club Spirits, Polemonium Wines, Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, Buzzbox Premium Cocktails, Wine Guy & Wine Gal, Masvino, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Wildest Restaurant & Bar, Sinegal Wines, Clark’s Nutrition, Melograno Premium Craft Cocktails, Jackalope Ranch, Dropkick Cold Brew, The Vinho, Charmed Spirits & Mocktails, and more.
HEALTH FESTIVAL AND INFORMATIVE LECTURE: Taking main stage at 1:00 pm are Rachel Millard, DNP, Center Director for Weight Management and Dr. Ramy Awad, MD, Bariatric Surgeon at Desert Care Network. The big topic: The Skinny on Trendy Weight Loss and the Science behind it.
VENDORS: Shop until you drop, as The Desert Woman’s Show offers a village of vendors selling unique clothes, jewelry, hat and hair accessories, healthcare products, gift ideas, and even travel and cruise tips. And don’t forget to obtain your passports upon arrival to receive stamps from each vendor for a chance to enter and win one of three $1000 shopping sprees courtesy of The Shops of Palm Desert. Be sure to bring your Passport to their booth before leaving the Show.
The 17th Annual Desert Woman’s Show opens for VIP guests on Saturday, February 15 at 9:30 a.m. and general admission ticket holders at 10:00 a.m. The event ends at 4:00 p.m. VIP tickets are sold out. 500 general admission tickets sponsored by Desert Care Network are free based on availability. The best value tickets are the Greater Palm Springs Food & Wine at $65.00 that includes the tasting, wristband, Desert Woman’s Show, and a parking pass. All tickets are available online or at the door.
This annual event is graciously sponsored by Desert Care Network, Blanke Schein Wealth Management, The Lighthouse, Clark’s Nutrition, The Shops at Palm Desert, and Barbara Rogers. Media partners include Desert Golf & Tennis Magazine, CV Weekly, and Desert Health.
For tickets and more information visit www.MarloProductions.com or contact Event Producer Diana Marlo at Diana@MarloProductions.com
