San Diego Wine & Food Festival

Hey There:
Last weekend I was part of two events of the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, a weeklong wine & culinary classic. This year it was held from November 16th to the 20th in several venues throughout San Diego.

The first event I went to was at Macy's School of Cooking located at Macy's Home Center in Mission Valley mall. This event was very interesting called "Super Chefs All Stars Presented by Alaska Seafood." 

"The Challenge: Two former and one current Top Chef participants have collaborated to prepare a mouth-watering wine paired tasting menu exclusively for you. They each have 20 minutes to teach you the techniques to prepare their recipes at home, and then wow your taste buds with a sampling of the dish prepared during the class."

It was great to see the chefs in action, including Chef Brian Malarkey, former contestant in Top Chef. As we waited for his delicious salmon dish to be ready there was some Top Chef trivia, prizes and of course we got to eat and drink wine. We sampled Anglim Grenache Blanc Red Cedar Vineyard, Paso Robles 2008 and Anglim Grenache Vista Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles 2008 both provided by Anglim Winery.

At the Macy's School of Cooking

Watching the Chefs in Action

Salmon "Pizza" Tomato/Basil Pesto/Goat Cheese
prepared by Executive Chef Brian Malarkey

Alaskan Milk Poached Black Cod, Dukkah Tomato Broth, Squid Spaetzle,
Rapini, Ricotta Salata Cheese and Toasted Hazelnut
prepared by Executive Chef Kenneth Gilbert

Cured Alaskan Salmon, Beet Salad, Tahini Cream
prepared by Chef Eli Kirshtein

The second event was the Reserve and Release Tasting at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

"From the art deco walls of San Diego's famous Air & Space Museum to the jumping jazz of the 30's and 40's and vintage aircraft at every turn, this year's Reserve & New Release Tasting event transports you to a gilded age where premium libations flow and legendary winemakers step into the spotlight."

This event was very fun with most of the museum open and full of exhibitors with wines, vodkas, tequilas, beer, cider, port, more wine, cocktails, and don't forget the food, chocolates, breads, soup, oysters, sushi, desserts and wine. I think I don't need to explain more about the event...just check out the pics:

I feel in love with San Pellegrino Aranciata

A little bit of everything...who can resist??

Sangrita shots with a lime foam on top, tasted great!

Tequila!!!

Stella Artois was present with very good cheeses

The Vya exhibitor preparing my cocktail

The cocktail was very good, the recipe is in the bottom of this post

About to try Wild Hibiscus, Flowers in Syrup

These Sadie Rose breads are amazing, they're sold at grocery stores
mostly in San Diego North County

Thank you @DarleneEats for the tickets and be sure to get check her blog My Burning Kitchen for all the foodies out there. These are the links of some of the exhibitors I sampled:
Joyce Vineyards in Carmel Valley, CA
Sangrita Mix: The perfect pairing for your tequila (soooo good!)
Vya Vermouth Aperitif
Recipe:Combine in a shaker with ice:2 oz Dry Vya1 oz Sweet VyaShake well and serve - either on the rocks in a bucket glass or strained and straight up in a martini glass.Garnish with a twist of orange.
Chuao Chocolatier (amazing truffles!! Especially recommend Firecracker Truffle)
Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup
SanPellegrino Aranciata (sparkling water with a taste of orange, I loved it!)
And many, many more!