The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival is back.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event—8,000 attendance, 100 of San Diego’s top chefs and restaurants, over 200 wineries and drink-makers, Food Network chefs, Alex Morgan, Drew Brees, Rob Machado, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, etc.—the second annual event returns to Surf Sports Park (formerly Del Mar Polo Fields).
This year brings more chefs from TV places—including Michael Voltaggio, Rocco DiSpirito, Maneet Chauhan, Aarti Sequeira, and Tiffani Faison—plus cast members from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
The festival’s concept is threefold. First, bring some of the country’s top chefs with a global spotlight to cook alongside San Diego’s food and drink people—which helps put the city’s food scene in the national spotlight. Second, show off the city’s famed active lifestyle and culture through partners Alex Morgan and the Wave FC, Drew Brees and his pickleball tournament at Bobby Riggs, and a beach day with Rob Machado. Third, raise money for the hunger relief efforts of Feeding San Diego (year one raised $25,000).
This year’s festival will go from Oct. 2-7, culminating with the grand tasting on Oct. 5-6.
More names will be announced later, but the initial roster of national chefs coming to San Diego includes: Voltaggio, DiSpirito, Chauhan, Sequiera, Faison, Aaron May, Eric Greenspan, Catherine McCord, Jackson Kalb, and Grill Dads.
From the local scene, early confirmations from some of San Diego and Baja’s big names: Brad Wise (Trust, Wise Ox), Brian Malarkey (Puffer Malarkey), Travis Swikard (Callie), Drew Deckman (Deckman’s en El Mogor/31Thirtyone), Roberto Alcocer (Valle), Tara Monsod (Animae), Javier Plascencia (Finca Altozano/Animalon), Benito Molina (Manzanilla), Carlos Anthony (Herb & Wood), Claudette Zepeda (Iron Chef), and Claudia Sandoval (MasterChef). Wineries and drink-makers including Kosta Browne, Kistler Wine, Pali Wine Co., Storyhouse Spirits, Chateau Montelena, Bivouac Ciderworks, and Nova Kombucha will offer tastings of their latest creations.
“I’ve been lucky to live in two food worlds for a long time—writing about local culture through San Diego Magazine, and then being part of the national conversation on Food Network,” says Troy Johnson, SDM’s longtime food writer and festival culinary director. “With DMWFF, we’re bringing those two worlds together in one space.”
This year’s festival will kick off with an opening night celebration at Nolita Hall with San Diego’s new MLS team, San Diego FC, and will conclude with a collaboration between the San Diego Wave FC women’s soccer team and the Big Queer Food Fest on Sunday. Players from the San Diego Padres will also be making appearances throughout the week.
“The melding of food and drink culture with SoCal’s legendary active lifestyle was a no-brainer. Chefs and food are what brings people around a table. Or in this case, to a massive cookout by the sea,” says Johnson. “And what do you talk about when you’re around the table? You tell the stories of local culture. And in SoCal that culture is active and outside. Having Alex and Drew and Rob and the Padres and Wave FC and San Diego FC be a part of this is huge. They’re a huge part of who we are.”
The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glen Howerton, Charlie Day, and Rob McElhenney will also be hosting a pop-up for their new whiskey brand Four Walls. While Kyle Cook of Bravo’s Summer House will showcase his portfolio of canned seltzers, cocktails, and teas.
For the latest updates and newest additions to the lineup, check out DMWFF’s headliners page and subscribe to the festival email newsletter for updates on this year’s event. Mark your calendars, reserve your tickets, and begin the countdown for San Diego’s greatest celebration of food and drink this year.
Here are a few things you should know ahead of the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival:
When is the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
The 2024 Del Mar Wine Wine + Food Festival will take place October 2-7 throughout San Diego county.
Where is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
The main event of the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, the Grand Tasting, takes place on the Del Mar Polo fields also known as the Surf Spots Park at 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar.
A wide variety of exclusive dinners, drink tastings, and other lifestyle events are available for purchase individually on DMWFF’s website. These festivities include chef-curated dining experiences across San Diego’s hottest restaurants, a celebrity pickleball tournament, a golf tournament for charity, wine tasting, and plenty more.
When is the 2024 Grand Tasting?
The Grand Tasting takes place this year on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6.
How much are tickets?
General admission for the Grand Tasting event starts at $165. The festival also offers an Early Access General Admission option for $225 offering an additional four hours before general admission to meet, greet, and feast. VIP tickets will grant guests access to unique pre-festival experiences including food and drink tasting experiences with Tara Monsod and Alex Morgan.
Where can I buy tickets for the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?
Buy tickets today at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival website.
Are pets or kids allowed?
Unfortunately only service animals are allowed into the venue. Kids must be 21 years old to attend the festival.
Editor’s Note: San Diego Magazine and SDM owners Claire and Troy Johnson are partners in Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. They/we created it to bring something awesome to the city’s food and drink culture. There is absolutely bias here, but we thought you should know about this. For an independent take, please read this article in Forbes.
