Sam the Cooking Guy's Insider's Guide

Hey, it’s Sam The Cooking Guy here to tell you all about this year’s San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. As the seasoned Festival veteran that I’ve been for the last 7 years now, I know a thing or two about this event and want to give you a sneak peak into the world of unlimited food, beer, wine and spirits that only a foodie, like you and me, could appreciate.

First thing’s first—bypass the lines! 
Nobody likes waiting in line.  Whether you’re waiting 2 hours to ride Indiana Jones at Disneyland or 10 minutes for a piece of Harney’s award-winning sushi, wouldn’t you rather just take the fast pass to the front of the line?  Grab a VIP ticket for the Festival’s Grand Tasting Event and enjoy exclusive benefits!  Not only will it get you into the event an entire hour earlier than the rest of those guys, but you’ll be celebrating in style with exclusive access to the event’s VIP tent, where you can enjoy even more food and libations, and jam out to a kicking live band.  You’ll also score a sweet schwag bag full of goodies from the Festival’s sponsors.  What’s better than that?
Click here to purchase VIP tickets for the Grand Tasting Event

Classes
I’m not much for fancy “chef-speak” or an ingredient list that reads like an encyclopedia, but I do appreciate great food that is simple and enjoyable.  The Festival breaks it down so that there are a variety of class offerings for at-home chefs at every level, including the cooking-impaired. 

Here are a few classes that I personally am looking forward to this year:

Gourmet Mac & Pinot Noir
There’s nothing better than mac ‘n cheese when it comes to comfort food.  Make no mistake, this mac ‘n cheese is nothing like the box kind you grew up on.  Chef Dave Martin, from Bravo TV’s hit series Top Chef, puts a gourmet spin on this childhood classic with his famous Black Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese, Sage & Apple Wood Bacon Mac and Old School Mac.  But wait… it gets better—each mac variation is combined with a glass of Pinot Noir.  Bet you didn’t have that as a kid!
Click here for more info on Chef Dave’s class

 

Pleasure Principles Cooking Class
There’s nothing sexier than a home cooked meal, I should know.  2010 “Chef of the Fest” Winner Chef Robert Ruiz, from the award-winning Harney Sushi restaurant, reveals his secrets on how to woo your significant other with 6 easy-to-prepare dishes that will have you ready to impress.  From an easy to make brioche to Chef Rob’s signature rich paper ahi sashimi, this class has a little something for everyone.
Click here for more info on Chef Rob’s class

Grand Tasting Event
The Grand Tasting features the best of the best.  With 170 wineires, craft breweries and spirit companies from all over the world and 70 of the city’s top restaurants and gourmet food companies sampling gourmet eats, you’ll be feeling like a stuffed Thanksgiving turkey after all is said and done.

Here’s my top picks and must-sees at this year’s Grand Tasting:

• Swing by Sweet Cheeks for dessert.  They won last year’s Chef of the Fest competition for best dessert with their amazing Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Mousse.
• R Gang Eatery has the best tots in San Diego.  Nothing beats a hangover like duck-fat fried taters!
• Check out Blue Point Coastal for some of the best surf and turf in the city! Bluepoint took away the prize for Best Meat in last year’s Chef of the Fest Competition.
• Stella Artois is a must-see in the VIP tent.  With Leffe, Hoegaarden and Stella Artois on tap, they’ll pour you a fresh beer into one of their glass tumblers, specifically designed for optimal drinking enjoyment.  The best part is you get to take the glass tumbler home at the end of the day.
• Check out Spring Mountain Vineyard to try some of their legendary wines. They received the “Best Cabernet in Napa” award at the Tasting at Premiere Napa Valley 2011 and will be pouring their 2006 Estate Elivette, 2009 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 Estate Bottled Syrah, and 2007 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon at this year’s Grand Tasting.
• You don’t want to miss Grgich Hills Estate as they pour their famous Chardonnay that has been awarded “the finest white wine in the world” at the “Paris Tasting” of 1976.  Check out their Napa Valley Cabernet and Zinfandel, which they’ve been making since 1958. This estate owns all of its own vineyards and are all certified organic and biodynamic.
  Click here for more info on the Grand Tasting Event
  

View Event Schedule > >