San Diego Food + Wine fest returns with James Beard partnership

Over the past two decades, the San Diego Food + Wine Festival has gradually grown and evolved, with an expanded focus on South-of-the-border cuisine, the debut of industry panel discussions, a one-day culinary trip to Baja California, last year’s film festival partnership kickoff and more.

That evolution continues with three new festival additions this year, a partnership with the James Beard Foundation, a “wellness weekend” event in Encinitas and a “Forkcast” summit meeting featuring food industry changemakers. The festival, which runs Nov. 2 through 11 at multiple locations, draws about 11,000 attendees each fall.

Festival co-founder Michelle Metter described this year’s festival as a “watershed moment,” saying the new events help make the festival “as forward-thinking as it is celebratory. San Diego has become one of the most exciting culinary crossroads in the country and this year’s festival embodies that spirit.”

Through its partnership with the James Beard Foundation, which honors chefs and restaurant industry professionals with prestigious awards akin to the Oscars of the culinary world, many of this year’s participating chefs have been honored by the Beard Foundation, or by the Michelin Guide.

Some of this year’s local participants are Elijah Arizmendi of the newly opened Lucien fine-dining restaurant in La Jolla; Roberto Alcocer of Michelin-starred Valle in Oceanside; two-time James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: California Tara Monsod of San Diego’s Animae and La Coq restaurants; Drew Deckman of Michelin-starred Concha de Piedra in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, and San Diego’s 31THIRTYONE by Deckman’s; and “Yes, Chef!” TV competition champion Emily Brubaker of Omni La Costa Resort.

Also attending are 2024 James Beard Best Chef winners Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles and Matt Vawter of Rootstalk in Denver; Suzette Gresham of Michelin two-star Aquerello in San Francisco; “Next Level Chef” winner Pyet DeSpain; chef Ruffo Ibarra of Tijuana’s Michelin-recommended Oryx and a Bocuse d’Or team member, and many more.

The full schedule and tickets can be found at sandiegowineclassic.com. Here are some of this year’s major events:

 Wellness weekend: Fox Point Farms will serve nutrient-rich dishes, low- or no-alcohol beverage pairings, movement pop-ups and activations by wellness brands. Nov. 2 at Fox Point Farms, Encinitas.

Forkcast: The Future of Food Summit: Chefs, policymakers, activists, scholars and industry leaders will discuss the interseciton of food, policy, equity and sustainability. Nov. 6. Location has not been announced.

Les Amis de Bernard Louis Latour Signature Dinner: Former San Diego chef Bernard Guillas returns to cook with some top culinary friends. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel.

David Arthur Wine Dinner at Mister A’s: San Diego’s iconic rooftop restaurant hosts a five-course dinner with pairings by the Napa Valley vineyard. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Mister A’s, Bankers Hill.

Culinary Cinema Series: The Coronado Island Film Festival once again hosts  screenings of food-inspired films with panel discussions featuring filmmakers, film stars and chefs. Nov. 6, 7 and 9 at John D. Spreckels Center, Coronado.

Grand Decant: Friends of James Beard Foundation presents this opening-night event featuring award-winning wines and spirits paired with chef-prepared bites. 6-9 p.m. Nov. 7 at JULEP, San Diego.

Grand Tasting: The festival’s biggest event features tastings by more than 200 wine and spirits purveyors and more than 80 chefs. Noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at Embarcero Marina Park North, San Diego.

Grand Fiesta: The festival-closing party celebrates Baja cuisine, chefs and wine, and includes the annual Taco TKO competition, live music and more. Noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Ingram Plaza, Liberty Station 

Bad Boys BBQ: Bad Boys of Culinary Director Tony Bennett heads up a team of top barbecue chefs for this Brand Beet dinner. Date and time TBA. Ranch 45 restaurant, Solana Beach.

That’s Cool! Try & Buy Shoppe: A free-entry retail pop-up with food, beverage, art musicl and shopping options. Ages 21 and up only. Nov. 8-9 at Malibu Farms, Seaport Village, San Diego.