Chef Paul McCabe
Chef Celebration Dinner
Tempted to write about this one using all exclamation points, but I’d prefer not to loathe myself. The chef lineup reads like James Beard’s all-San Diego fantasy team. You got my personal favorite, Paul McCabe. As the new exec chef for the remodeled La Valencia, he immediately joins La Jolla’s elite alongside Jason Knibb, Ryan Johnston and Jean-Michel Diot. You’ve also got Beard-nominated auteur William Bradley (Addison), one of only two Master French Chefs in San Diego (Patrick Ponsaty), Anthony Sinsay (Burlap) and Joe Magnanelli (Cucina Urbana). That’s all fancy resume stuff; it means this dinner should far out-earn its $65 tag. Even better, 50% of money goes to fund the next gen of chefs at the Chef Celebration Foundation.
When: April 9, 5:30PM-9PM
Cost: $65
Location: La Valencia, 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858-551-3765.
Additional Info: Chefcelebration.org.
Shuck ‘n’ Swallow
When it comes to events, this one doesn’t have the arty displays, the interactive games or the big-name DJ from Jersey Shore. It’s a restaurant industry fraternity prank gone spectacle. Two chefs/cooks/interns/lackeys from a ton of local restaurants stand in a row. One’s got a bucket of oysters and a shucking knife. The other’s got beer and a mouth. The team who can shuck and swallow the most, wins. Mostly just bragging rights. Last year, Blue Pointe managed 145 oysters. It’s disgusting and juvenile. It’s also an inspiring bout of inter-kitchen comraderie.
When: April 17, 2013, 5PM-7PM
Cost: Free
Location: Loungesix @ Hotel Solamar, 616 J. St., Downtown, 619.531.8744
Additional Info: jsixrestaurant.com
Scribe Wine Late Lunch
Brothers Adam and Andrew Mariani of Scribe winery are California’s new guard. They took over an old Sonoma property in 2007 and aimed to add “sustainability” to the area’s top varietals (chardonnay, pinot noir and sylvaners). They’ll come to town for Cucina’s winemaker dinner series, pairing with chef Joe Magnanelli’s dishes.
When: April 20, 2013, 2PM-3:30PM
Cost: $30
Location: Cucina Urbana, 505 Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 619.239.2222.
Additional Info: www.cucinaurbana.com
Best of North County Party
The Park Hyatt is one hell of a resort. Sprawling, beautiful thing over a coastal wetland, with views of the ocean off Carlsbad. That’s why San Diego is gathering lots and lots of talented people there for a huge bash. It’s the “Best of North County” party. Happens every year. And every year it’s fantastic. Restaurants/food-type enterprises at this year’s events include Addison, Burlap, Iron Fist Brewing, Latin Food Festival, Manzanita Brewing, Mia Francesca, Mother Earth Brew Co., Nothing Bundt Cakes, Orfila Vineyards, Sadie Rose Baking, Urge Gastropub, Vintana, Veladora, Vivace, etc.
When: April 26, 2013, 6:30-9:30PM
Cost: $60-$70
Location: Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad
Additional Info: sandiegomagazine.com/noco2013
