Chandelier fixtures dazzled above equally gorgeous creatures and creations at the Grand Tasting Pavilions for the Second Annual Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival, October 2-4 2015. The Newport Beach ocean breeze gently whirled about enticing the senses of the Festival participants with some of the best food sampling from Orange County restaurants. This only means the return of one of the most luxurious epicurean weekends that was not only life-changing (see below about the glass seminar) but an exquisite epicurean experience.
Photo Credit: http://pencilboxstudios.com/
The Festival kicked off Friday evening with a sold out Launch Party at Oak Grill and Aqua Lounge benefiting Project Alliance. This was the place to rub elbows with celebrity chefs such as Chef Rick Bayless, Hubert Keller, Rick Moonen and Shirley Chung. The launch party closed with celebrity and world-renowned Chef Hubert Keller getting on the decks for a special DJ set. A great evening to launch the Festival. The following two days included Daytime Festivals with cooking demonstrations, sommelier panels, food and wine samplings and book signings. The ever-so-chic grounds of the Newport Beach Civic Center, plus a celebrity chef lineup, was a perfect setting for a SoCal foodie and wine festival.
Photo Credit: http://pencilboxstudios.com/
Whether your appetite desires a melt-in-your mouth goat cheese tamale, a Cabernet braised Beef Prime Short Rib, a creamy-smooth piece of Hiramasa or a finger-licking-good crab and lobster roll, Orange County chefs can satisfy your hunger.
Bite into a tangy fresh corn tamale that boast a creamy Laura Chenel goat cheese inside, surrounded by roasted poblano chili, queso fresco, crema and tomatillos salsa. Chef Rick Bayless of RED O Restaurant does it again by giving our palettes a gorgeous mix of flavors in his version of a tamale.
Sink your teeth into a creamy piece of Hiramasa (Yellowtail Kingfish) topped with butter miso and you will be craving more. Chef Mathieu Royer of Boathouse Collective attentively plated his masterful creation that was not only flavorful to the tastebuds but luscious to eat.
Dive into a small bowl of Maryland crab and Lemongrass, flanked along side a perfectly cooked tomato quinoa and you will be scrapping the bottom of the bowl looking for more thanks to Chef HelenAn, Chef Ron Lee and Chef Tony Nguyen of AnQi Gourmet Bistro & Noodle Bar.
Indulge in Chef Andrew Gruel's "Clobster" Roll and you will have a sandwich filled with warmed, generously buttered crab and lobster enveloped by a toasty roll. I pledged my devotion to this sandwich thanks to Chef Andrew Gruel of Slapfish.
Relish in a bite of Cabernet braised Brandt Beef Prime Short Rib topped with Crater Lake Blue Foam and get ready for a taste of heaven. Chef Joshua Severson of Selanne Steak Tavern provides our taste buds with a superb and unbeatable richness of taste and delectable flavors.
Nibble on a Rainbow Brite mini cake and your taste buds will flip like unicorns in the sky. Jill Berger of B Candy keeps us feeling like a kid again with her yummy creation.
Photo Credit: http://pencilboxstudios.com/
Now to the "life-changing" part of this event. If you have not attended a wine glass seminar, I suggest seeking out a wine glass course like this one in your area. I was told this event would be life-changing and I was a skeptic. Well, I was proven wrong. The class was both outstanding and astounding and has forever changed my outlook on tasting and drinking wine. The class was led by Chris Dillon of Riedel where he guided guests through tastings of three different red wine varietals in three different types of wine glasses. In fact, the correct wine glass can either enhance or hinder your wine tasting experience.
For more information about this event, visit Newport Beach Wine and Food or follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter.
Jenn Delekta is a freelance writer, working mom, animal lover, social influencer, life-stylist for travel and dining.