When a culinary event celebrates their inaugural run, we want to run in the opposite direction. There will be kinks to work out and temperamental cooking stations to deal with. You just never know what to expect when you have no history to base it on. But after reading the lineup for The Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival, we may reconsider.
Scheduled for an entire weekend in September, the organizers have mass quantities of live jazz, sommelier panels and demonstrations to go around. Pace yourself accordingly, and it will be a very leisurely day.
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Among the local talent, we love Golden Truffle's Alan Greeley. The party continues with the likes of Joe Youkhan and his tasting spoon, recently interviewed Rainer Schwarz, Fireside Tavern's Scott Brandon, Craig Strong of Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, Mr. Pascal Olhats, Pizzeria Mozza's own Emily Corliss, and personal chef John Ledbetter.
The infamous Peter Dills will be presiding on the mic, so expect some lively banter between him and the expert bartenders and sommeliers on site. Single day and weekend passes are available. Check out full details on their website. The food will be fabulous and all, but my goal will be a selfie with Richard Blais.
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A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.