Newport Beach , California to host Food and Wine lovers from across the country can enjoy one of the nation’s best epicurean weekends October 2-4, 2015




 
Newport Beach, CA has become one of the biggest destinations in the U.S. for its luxury lifestyle and picturesque beaches. Recently it has been gaining a reputation for its exploding food and wine scene.  The 2015 Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival  sponsored by American & Southern Wine & Spirits will bring together some of the nation’s biggest chefs while spotlighting Orange County’s best restaurants, wine experts, wineries and more. 



This year’s Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival features an all-star Lineup. Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Recent “Top Chefs” reunite for Live Cooking Demos While the Region’s Most Renowned Executive Chefs Offer up the Best in Restaurant Tastings.


Guests will enjoy celebrity chef cooking demos by Rick Bayless, Hubert Keller, Rick Moonen and recent “Top Chef” Alums. Regional chefs get into the action with Orange County’s most renowned restaurants like Montage, Pelican Hill, Mastro’s, Roy’s, Fig & Olive and RED O. Oenophiles will take their seats at    Elite wine panels led only by Master Sommeliers, including Fred Dame and Michael Jordan (as seen on the movie Somm). There will even be 200 world-renowned, “cult" and boutique wines to be enjoyed and a jazz lounge showcasing live music, mixology courses, hand-crafted cocktails and beers samplings.



At the daytime festival on Saturday, guests will have the unique opportunity to learn from Chefs Rick Bayless and Hubert Keller’s culinary mastery through live cooking demonstrations, while also mingling with them during book signings and special events. Chef Bayless will also be cooking in one of the Grand Tasting Pavilions, personally serving cuisine from his acclaimed Newport Beach restaurant RED O.


 During Sunday’s Daytime Festival event, Orange County fare will collide with Las Vegas cuisine, as Golden Truffle Executive Chef Alan Greeley takes the stage with Chef Moonen. As long-time friends, this will surely serve as a highly entertaining cooking demonstration. 




 This year, there will be an ultimate hands-on cooking competition, where guests will channel their inner chef skills on stage while being coached by “Top Chef” Alumni. Season 11 Finalist and TWENTY EIGHT Executive Chef Shirley Chung will be leading this Top Chef Home Cook Challenge. 

Each of the four contenders will be chosen from the audience and compete on stage with celebrity coaches like Bravo’s “Last Chance Kitchen” Winner and “Top Chef” Finalist Louis Maldonado. One winner will be honored as the very first Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival Top Chef Champion.


Join Cuisineist editors when the festival kicks off on the evening of Friday, October 2 (6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) with the official Launch Party & Charity Event at Oak Grill & Aqua Lounge. On Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4 (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.), the Daytime Festival at the Newport Beach Civic Center will feature celebrity chef cooking demos, book signing, restaurant and wine tastings, sommelier panels, mixology courses, handcrafted cocktails, live jazz and more. Net proceeds benefit charity partner Project Hope Alliance.
 Tickets for the Festival are on sale now. More information on the Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival, please visit www.newportwineandfood.com or call (888) 511-FEST. For ongoing updates, follow the Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. See you there!