For the second year in a row, The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival will be bringing some of SoCal’s biggest names in food and drink to the lawn at Del Mar’s Surf Sports Park for the fest’s Grand Tasting events. And, if you want to get close to your favorite celebrity chefs, TV personalities, and local culinary talent, special events, curated wine experiences, and immersive lifestyle activities are going down throughout the week. To find out where the celebs will be from October 2–7, check out our guide below:
Thursday, October 3
Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb & Jason McLeod
Trattoria di Prato
On Thursday, acclaimed chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb, and Jason McLeod will host a four-course Italian dinner on the lawn at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. An award-winning chef and best-selling author, DiSpirito has worked in some of the best restaurants in the country, including the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Jardin des Sens in France.
Joining him will be Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, who launched his own catering company at the age of 12. Today, Kalb is chef and owner of Jame Enoteca, Jemma, and Ospi in LA, chef and partner of Wake&Late, a private chef, and a caterer. He’s also working to secure funding for his flagship concept, Workshop Restaurant.
With over 25 years of culinary experience, chef Jason McLeod rounds out the talent for the exclusive event. His skills earned him two Michelin stars in Chicago, and in 2022, he became the culinary consultant for Clique Hospitality in Las Vegas. Tickets are priced at $300 per person.
Friday, October 4
Drew Brees & Kyle Cooke
Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle
Former pro football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees will host the annual Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament on Friday, October 4. The event, benefiting Feeding San Diego, will also feature other celebrity participants, including tennis champs CoCo Vandeweghe and James Blake; Olympian Chase Budinger; San Diego Padres alums Mark Loretta and Tim Stauffer; Shannon Mac Milan, legendary Hall of Fame USA Women’s Soccer Player and current VP of the San Diego Wave FC; San Diego Wave FC; the San Diego Padres; and Alicia Gwynn. Plus, Summer House’s Kyle Cooke will hit the courts with Lover Boy, his line of sparkling hard teas, spritzes, and cocktails. Food Network host Catherine McCord and The Grill Dads will be onsite as well, serving up delicious bites for the afternoon. Tickets start at $125 to spectate or up to $500 to play a round with a pro.
Maneet Chauhan
The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Catch award-winning chef, television personality, and author Maneet Chauhan at the Night of Divine Art + Cuisine event on Friday, October 4. A judge on Food Network’s Chopped, Chauhan is also the first-ever two-time winner of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, in which she competed against renowned chefs from across the country. The sunset dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and includes four courses and wine pairings. Tickets are priced at $300.
Jason McLeod
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Join some of the top Napa wine producers for a walkaround tasting experience at Rancho Santa Fe hosted by chef and restaurateur Jason McLeod and the culinary team at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. On Friday, October 4, guests can sample some of the wine country’s best pours. Tickets are priced at $225 per person.
Beau MacMillan, Matt Carter & Rene Andrade
Private La Jolla Estate
Get ready to don your best western flair and beachy elegance at the Coastal Cowboy dinner presented by Experience Scottsdale and co-hosted by James and Ryane Shields. Join acclaimed chefs Beau MacMillan (Guy’s Grocery Games, Next Iron Chef), Matt Carter, and Rene Andrade (James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef in the Southwest”) for a family-style tasting event at a private estate in La Jolla. Not able to attend? MacMillan will also be at Saturday’s Grand Tasting event, so be sure to grab your tickets. Tickets for the dinner are priced at $550.
Saturday, October 5
Claudia Sandoval & Aarti Sequiera
Private Estate in Rancho Santa Fe
On Saturday, chefs Claudia Sandoval (MasterChef) and Aarti Sequiera (The Next Food Network Star) will host a tasting experience incorporating spices from around the world in their Spice Girls Dinner. Born and raised in San Diego, Sandoval got her passion for food from her mother and grandmother, who both taught her how to cook. After winning the sixth season of MasterChef, she later became a judge on the Food Network and recently launched her own celebrity chef meal delivery service. She is also a bestselling author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. Sequiera, known as “The Spice Queen,” was the 2010 winner of Food Network Star. Tickets are priced at $500 per person.
Sunday, October 6
Brian Malarkey & Javier Plascencia
Moonlight Beach & Herb & Sea
This year’s Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunch will be hosted by Top Chef’s Brian Malarkey and Baja culinary icon Javier Plascencia. One of the most successful restaurateurs in the country, Malarkey has created over 15 successful restaurant concepts, including Herb & Wood, Herb & Sea, and the new Le Coq in La Jolla. San Diego’s own surf legend Rob Machado will join the cleanup, while Herb & Sea’s executive chef Aidan Owen will prepare food in collaboration with Malarkey and Plascencia. Tickets are priced at $150 per person.
Drew Deckman & Benito Molina
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Enjoy a raw bar, tray-passed reception, and four-course dinner at Rancho Bernardo Inn hosted by chef Sergio Jiminez (Avant Restaurant) and chefs Drew Deckman (31ThirtyOne) and Benito Molina (MasterChef México) alongside wines pairings from Austin Hope and DAOU. The French-Baja fusion dinner will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and feature sustainable seafood dishes from places like Baja Shellfish Farms Oyster Bar. Tickets are priced at $250 per person.
Tiffani Faison
Nolita Hall
On Sunday, celebrity chef Tiffani Faison (Top Chef, Tournament of Champions) is teaming up with the Big Queer Food Festival to celebrate San Diego Wave FC. Mingle with the club and check out dishes inspired by the players’ hometowns. Tickets are priced at $150 per person.
Grand Tasting, Day 1
Claudette Zepeda
Surf Sports Park
On Saturday, say hi to award-winning celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda at the Grand Tasting event at Surf Sports Park on Saturday, October 5. An alum of Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, Zepeda is known for her fearless approach to regional Mexican cuisine. Stop by her booth at the fest to taste her masterful fare. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.
Travis Swikard
Surf Sports Park
Callie’s Travis Swikard will be on the ground at day one of the Grand Tasting event, showcasing his culinary talents. After spending a decade in New York, he made his way to San Diego to open Callie in 2021. Now, he’s set to launch a second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.
Brian Malarkey and Beau MacMillan
Surf Sports Park
Keep an eye out for a special collaboration between Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey (Herb & Wood, Le Coq, Animae) and Beau MacMillan (Guy’s Grocery Games, Next Iron Chef) at Saturday’s VIP tent. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.
VIP Restaurants
The full list of VIP restaurants includes Amalfi Llama, Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Austin Hope Wines, Azuki Sushi, Booker Wines, Callie, Caymus Vineyards, The Cov Wine, Cowboy Star, Cuvaison Winery, DAOU Vineyards, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Despacio Mezcal, Domaine Ott, Ember & Rye, Fraiche Wine Group, Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, G.D. Vajra, Huntress, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Kobrand Wine & Spirits, Kingfisher, Kinme Omakase, The Marine Room, Marisi, Puesto, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Rare Society, Robert Green Vineyards, Roma Norte, Four Seasons Aviara, The Setting Wines, Tap Truck, The Fishery, Warung RieRie, Valle, Vinos Finos de California, and Whispering Angel Rosé.
Grand Tasting, Day 2
Alex Morgan
Surf Sports Park
Come hang with former USWNT player and San Diego Wave FC captain and DMWFF host Alex Morgan at the Grand Tasting event on Sunday, October 6. Morgan will once again be onsite this year in the VIP tent for photo ops, soccer chats, and wine-glass cheersing. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.
The Grill Dads
Surf Sports Park
Opening the day’s events at the VIP reception will be The Grill Dads‘ Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey. The pair have been best friends for more than 20 years and in 2017 won first place on Guys Big Project which gave them the opportunity to have their own Food Network series. They will be serving up their barbecue and meats at the VIP reception from 11:30 to 1 p.m. ahead of the Grand Tasting.
Eric Greenspan
Surf Sports Park
Eric Greenspan is an acclaimed chef and TV personality featured on Food Network shows like Guy’s Grocery Games and Iron Chef America, where he defeated Bobby Flay in a cooking battle. He’ll be showcasing his creations at Sunday’s Grand Tasting, including dishes using his New School American Cheese. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are priced from $165 to $425 for VIP tickets.
VIP Restaurants
The full list of VIP restaurants includes The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Nine-Ten, Ambrogio by Acquerello, Extraordinary Desserts, Paradisaea, Lumi, Red Tracton’s, Despacio Mezcal, Garibaldi cocktails, The Fishery, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Seasons Restaurant, the Amalfi Llama, and The Marine Room.
Monday, October 7
Lauren Lawless
Loma Santa Fe Country Club
If you missed chef Lauren Lawless (Supermarket Stakeout) at the Saturday’s Grand Tasting event, grab your clubs and head to the Happy Fillmore Golf Classic Event on Monday, October 7. The event will also feature bites from Eric Greenspan in collaboration with Hodad’s as well as The Grill Dads. Need more reasons to attend? Tickets purchased to play golf between now and Friday, September 27 include a general admission ticket to Sunday’s Grand Tasting.
Don’t see your favorite chef listed above? Check out Del Mar Wine + Food Festival’s talent page and click on each name to see which events they’ll be participating in.
