The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival is bringing together a collection of nationally recognized chefs, culinary personalities, and Coachella Valley restaurant talent for three days of food and wine this November.
Taking place November 13–15, 2026, the festival will move to Downtown Palm Springs Park, adjacent to the Palm Springs Art Museum, offering attendees views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The event will feature more than 25 chef-owned fine dining restaurants alongside an extensive selection of wines, including selections from ZD, Turnbull, and Evergreen Family Wines, with more than 100 varietals represented.
“The event has come to be known as a hip, cool and innovative event that brings together over 25 chef-owned fine dining restaurants and incredible wines,” said executive producer Jeff Hocker, who brings extensive experience in event production and the culinary arts.
This year’s announced culinary lineup includes several familiar faces from television and the national food scene. Among them is Jamie Gwen, a celebrity chef, certified sommelier, nationally syndicated radio host, and seven-time cookbook author. Her television appearances include Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and Cutthroat Kitchen, along with KTLA’s morning show and NBC’s California Live.
Joining her is Top Chef alum Dave Martin, whose career spans restaurants, television, culinary consulting, and private events. Based in San Diego, Martin also maintains connections throughout Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
The roster also includes Beejhy Barhany, an Ethiopian-born chef, entrepreneur, and founder of the BINA Cultural Foundation, which celebrates and empowers Ethiopian Jewish culture through arts, education, and community programming. Chef and entrepreneur Sharone Hakman, known for his appearance on MasterChef and his organic food brand Chef Hak’s, will also participate. Rounding out the nationally recognized personalities is chef, television host, and comedian Daphne Brogdon, known for Daphne Dishes and her appearances on Beat Bobby Flay.
The festival will also spotlight culinary talent closer to home. Igor Krichmar, executive chef at Colony Palms and L’Horizon, brings an accomplished background that includes winning Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout while working at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans.
Palm Springs chef and restaurateur Gabriel Woo will also be part of the lineup. Born in Guadalajara and raised in Palm Springs, Woo has built a reputation for contributing to the evolution of the Coachella Valley dining scene through Woo Hospitality. His restaurant portfolio includes Bar Cecil and Liv’s, the latter located at the Palm Springs Art Museum and created alongside his wife, Jackie. Woo is also preparing to open Donna Forte, a pizza- and pasta-focused restaurant in downtown Indio.
Beyond the culinary programming, the festival will support two community organizations: the Culinary Institute of America Fellows and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert Food Bank.
With its new downtown setting and a lineup that brings together established culinary personalities and local restaurant talent, the Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival offers another opportunity to celebrate the people and experiences shaping Southern California’s food and wine culture.
The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival takes place November 13–15, 2026, at Downtown Palm Springs Park, adjacent to the Palm Springs Art Museum.
For tickets and additional information, visit PalmSpringsFoodandWine.org.
