By Judith Salkin
At this time of year, Palm Desert is the hot spot in the valley. Along with Fashion Week, this weekend also has Food and Wine Festival Palm Desert 2014 adding to the excitement along El Paseo. The festival is a mix of sampling food from the city’s best restaurants and wines from some of the best winemakers in California, all available in one compact area. It’s also a gathering of celebrity and rising stars in the culinary world like Chef Roy Choi, Executive chef/owner of Kogi BBQ, Chego!, A-Frame, Sunny Spot, and the upcoming POT; Chef Brooke Williamson, “Top Chef” alum and chef/owner of Hudson House, The Tripel, and Playa Provisions; and Chef Matthew Accarrino, executive chef SPQR in San Francisco.
If you haven’t had a chance to find info on this weekend’s events, here’s the schedule. Some, like the Grand Tastings, may be sold out, but many of the demonstrations will still have space available.
Because alcoholic beverages are served, all participants must be 21 to attend all Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert events and to enter the tent. No accommodations are available for individuals under 21 years of age.
For more information, visit the website palmdesertfoodandwine.com.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014
Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert™ James Beard 4-Course Luncheon
• 10:30am: Lincoln Motor Company Mimosa Bar and Test Drive Experience
• 11:30am – 2:30pm: Luncheon
• $150 – Reserved Seating
• $125 – General Admission Seating
Event Details:
Kick off the festival with a four-course gourmet luncheon featuring James Beard-recognized chefs, including David LeFevre, Brooke Williamson, Matthew Accarrino, and Gale Gand, with premium wine pairings for each course.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
“California Dreamin” Grand Tasting
• 11am – 4pm $75
Celebrating the sunny California lifestyle, this Grand Tasting event is an ode to local chef talent, homegrown wineries, and craft brewers. More than 40 restaurants and 80 premium wines, spirits and brews will be served. Demonstrations by Chefs Alex Reznik and Valerie Gordon, among others, with each taking place on one of four state-of-the-art, fully equipped kitchen stages. Gordon will also be available for signings of her new cookbook, Sweet.
Chef Demonstration Schedule
STAGE 1: Lounge Tent
12pm: Valerie Gordon / Valerie Confections, book signing following demo
1pm: Hearty Boys, book signing following demo
2pm: François de Mélogue Exécutive Chef, Figue Méditerranéen Restaurant
3pm: Chris Mitchum / Lantana Restaurant Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
STAGE 2: Rancho Las Palmas Stage
12:15pm: Johannes Bacher / Johannes
1:15pm: Deborah Scott / Cohn Restaurant Group
2:15pm: Andie Hubka / Cork & Fork
3:15pm: Jon Tice / Tinto at the Saguaro Resort
STAGE #3: Main Stage
12:30pm: “The Fabulous” Beekman Boys, book signing following demo
1:30pm: Gale Gand / Chef in Residence at Elawa Farm, book signing following demo
2:30pm : Alex Reznik / Ditmas Kitchen & Cocktail
3:30pm: Julie Pech / Chocolate Therapist, book signing following demo
WINE & CRAFT BEER TASTING SEMINARS
Wine Seminar 1
• 12pm $25 (Saturday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into wine seminar)
Summerland Winery
Wine Label Designer
Wine Seminar 2
• 1pm $25 (Saturday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into wine seminar)
Emerald Nuts |Wine Pairing & Sampling:
•Sea Salt & Papper Cashews:
-Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)
-Chandon Sparkling Rosé (California)
•Deluxe Mixed Nuts:
-Smith Madrone 2012 Riesling (Napa Valley)
-Roth Estate 2009 Merlot (Alexander Valley)
•Cocoa Roast Almonds:
-Renwood 2011 Premier Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County)
-Ficklin Tawny Port (Madera County)
-Margerum 2013 Riviera Rosé (Santa Barbara County
Craft Beer Seminar 3
• 3pm $25 (Saturday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into wine seminar)
Goose Island
Christina Perozzi, Educator, Western Regions at Goose Island Beer Company
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014
“Brunch, Bubbles, and Brews” Grand Tasting
• 12pm – 5pm $75
Sunday rounds out the festivities with the best of brunch fare served alongside Champagne, sparkling wine, and standout microbrews from the Coachella Valley and beyond. Patrons can experience a taste of more than 40 restaurants and 80 premium wines, brews, and spirits. Celebrity chef demonstrations include Chefs Roy Choi, Ari Taymor, and more. Choi will also sign copies of his 2013 memoir and cookbook, LA Son.
Chef Demonstration Schedule
STAGE 1: Lounge Tent
12:30pm: Andre Carthen / kathy ireland Worldwide Design Ambassador
1:30pm: Thomas Steferak / Cello’s
2:30pm: Daniel Joly / Mirabelle at Beaver Creek
3:30pm: Lulu Powers – The Entertainologist, book signing following demo
STAGE 2: Rancho Las Palmas Stage
12:30pm: Drew Davis / Catalan
1:30pm: Gavin Grabe / Clementine Gourmet Marketplace & Cafe
2:30pm: Engin Onural / The Venue Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge
3:30pm: Andrew Copley / Copley’s on Palm Canyon
STAGE #3: Main Stage
1pm: “The Fabulous” Beekman Boys, book signing following demo
2:15pm: Roy Choi / Kogi BBQ, Chego!, A-Frame, Sunny Spot, and POT, book signing following demo
3:30pm: Ari Taymor / Alma
WINE & CRAFT BEER TASTING SEMINARS
Craft Beer Seminar 1
• 12:15pm $25 (Sunday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into beer seminar)
Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse
Art Vasquez, Chief Operating Officer, Chef
Craft Beer Seminar 2
• 1:00pm $25 (Sunday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into beer seminar)
La Quinta Brewing Co.
Ryan Pearson, Brewmaster
Wine Seminar 3
• 1:45pm $25 (Sunday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into beer seminar)
Emerald Nuts |Wine Pairing & Sampling:
• Sea Salt & Papper Cashews:
-Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012
-Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)
-Chandon Sparkling Rosé (California)
• Deluxe Mixed Nuts:
-Smith Madrone 2012 Riesling (Napa Valley)
-Roth Estate 2009 Merlot (Alexander Valley)
• Cocoa Roast Almonds:
-Renwood 2011 Premier Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County)
-Ficklin Tawny Port (Madera County)
-Margerum 2013 Riviera Rosé (Santa Barbara County)
Wine Seminar 4
• 2:45pm $25 (Sunday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into beer seminar)
Tolosa Winery
Larry Brooks, Wine Maker
Craft Beer Seminar 5
• 3:30pm $25 (Sunday Grand Tasting ticket required for entry into beer seminar)
Coachella Valley Brewing Company
