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Ted Allen To Host Cooking Class & Reserve Tasting

Ted Allen, well-known for his new show, “Food Detectives” on the Food Network and roles as cooking expert on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and Bravo’s “Top Chef”, will join the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival appearing as a Headliner and Host of two Festival events.

Attendees at this year’s Festival will have two opportunities to meet Ted Allen in person.  On Friday, November 14, Allen will teach from 3:00-4:00 PM at Macy’s School of Cooking.  Guests lucky enough to get a ticket for this highly-anticipated class will learn to make two of Allen’s signature recipes from his book The Food You Want to Eat: 100 Smart, Simple Recipes while sipping on wines provided by Robert Mondavi Private Selection, for which Allen serves as Food and Wine Ambassador.

In addition, Ted Allen will host the Festival’s Reserve and New Release Tasting on Friday, November 14, from 6:30-9:30 PM, aboard the Hornblower's Inspiration.  This special tasting features over 150 award-winning winemakers and a selection of 15 gourmet food stations from San Diego’s top caterers.

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Celebrity Artist Announced

To kick off its fifth Anniversary celebration, producers of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival (November 12-16, 2008) have named art world phenomenon, Thomas Arvid, as this year’s “Celebrity Artist.”  Arvid’s unerring ability to refine a moment will be available for all to see at this year’s Festival through his appearances, signings, and a special VIP table at the Celebrity Chef Luncheon & American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) Big Bottle Auction.

Arvid will share his internationally recognized work with nine lucky guests at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival with a special VIP seating at his hosted table during the Celebrity Chef Luncheon & AIWF Big Bottle Live Auction.

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Featured Artist - Christopher M

You may notice that the marketing campaign for this year's festival has taken a slightly different turn. Each year, the festival reaches out to artists in Southern California, ultimately selecting one who will go on to create the official poster art and theme for that year's event.

This year, we are thrilled to work with a very talented, award-winning artist Christopher M, known for his culinary series of artwork. His creation for this year's Festival is a "Perfect Pair," a playful match of chef and Master Sommelier sampling wine and food, the spirit behind Southern California's largest wine and culinary event.

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AIWF Awards Culinary & Enology Scholarships

Producers of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, along with generous donations from John M. and Sally B. Thornton, recently awarded eight culinary arts scholarships to deserving students at the Festival’s November 17 Grand Tasting event. Click here for full story.

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Chef Gary Thompson Wins 2007 "Chef of the Fest!"

Foodies from all over the United States converged on San Diego’s Big Bay during the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival on November 17 to watch 60 of the city’s top chefs compete for just over $50,000 in cash and prizes and the coveted title of “Chef of the Fest” presented by NatureSweet D’Vines. From a field of 60 chefs 10 finalists were selected with Chef Gary Thompson of Viejas Casino taking home first place top honors for his Grilled Tequila Marinated Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Gazpacho; second place award went to Chef Brian Malarkey of Oceanaire Seafood Room for his Seafood Sausage; third place was awarded to Chef Sarah Linkenheil of Sally’s Seafood on the Water for her Crispy Seared Artic Char and Scallop Sausage with Apple Remoulade; fourth place was awarded to Chef Stephen Window of Roppongi Restaurant for his Main Diver Scallop with Daikon Dashi Tempura Beans, Dynamite Aioli and Green Tea Salt; and fifth place awarded to Chef Chris Behre of Bondi with his BBQ Australian Lamb Cutlet.

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