The 6th annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival™
Takes place April 8-10, 2016 in Palm Desert, CA. Organized by Palm Springs Life, this festival features the brightest and most inspired chefs from across the country for three extraordinary days of culinary and wine tastings in the heart of the famed El Paseo shopping district. The event features a standout roster of celebrity chefs demonstrations and showcases the Coachella Valley as the ultimate culinary destination. Featuring Cat Cora, Gale Gand, Suzanne Tracht, Valerie Gordon, Zack Bruell and many more.
The festival begins Friday, April 8 with the four-course James Beard Gourmet Four-Course luncheon, expertly prepared by celebrity chefs and served in an elegantly-appointed tent. The luncheon is followed by two days of Grand Tastings, featuring delectable morsels from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from all across California. More than 60 premium wines and champagnes will be offered as well, and participants will be able to interact with the vintners and chefs to discuss in detail about the offerings.
Schedule of 2016 Events
Friday, April 8, 2016
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon
A four-course gourmet luncheon featuring fresh and vibrant flavors of the season kicks off the 6th annual Palm Desert Food & Wine festival. Each course is crafted by a celebrity chef and paired with premium wines from Wine Australia. This year’s featured chefs are Cat Cora (Chef, TV personality, cook book author, Food Network Iron Chef), Gale Gand (Spritz Burger Restaurant & Tru of Chicago, IL and James Beard Award-winning Pastry Chef), Valerie Gordon (Chef, Restauranteur, author, appeared on The Cooking Channel, BRAVO’s Top Chef Just Desserts, owner of Valerie Confections of Los Angeles, CA), and Suzanne Tracht (Chef/Owner of the critically-acclaimed Jar restaurant of Los Angeles, CA). Guests must be 21 years or older to attend.
James Beard Luncheon Menu
April 8, 2016
Suzanne Tracht
English Pea Puree
• Spring Radish, Humboldt Fog, Crostini
• William Hardy Chardonnay Langhorne Creek, Australia
Valerie Gordon
Spring Salad
• Little Gems, Radicchio, Blanched & Pickled Asparagus, Lemon Confit, Avocado in a Green Garlic Crème Fraiche Vinaigrette
• Flegenheimer Paisant Grenache-McLaren Vale, Australia
Cat Cora
Arctic Char
• Satsuma-Habanero Glaze with a Meyer Lemon Cous Cous and Hot House Cilantro
• 2013 Grgich Hills, Fume Blanc, Napa Valley
Gale Gand
Almond Tea Cake
• Pink Grapefruit Crème Legere, Lychee and Rose Pedals
• 2012 Grgich Hills, Violetta Harvest, Napa Valley Estate
Saturday, April 9, 2016
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – VIP Grand Tasting
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Grand Tasting
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Chef Demonstrations
VIP Grand Tasting pass will include one-hour early entrance to the event, special chocolate and champagne tasting and exclusive chef demonstration by Cat Cora. Grand Tastings will feature delectable morsels from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from all across California. More than 60 premium wines and champagnes will be offered as well, and participants will be able to interact with the vintners and chefs to discuss in detail about the offerings.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – VIP Grand Tasting
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Grand Tasting
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Chef Demonstrations
VIP Grand Tasting pass will include one-hour early entrance to the event, special chocolate and champagne tasting and exclusive celebrity chef demonstration by Ricardo Zarate. Grand Tastings will feature delectable morsels from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from all across California. More than 60 premium wines and champagnes will be offered as well, and participants.
Additional Tasting Experiences
Craft Beer Experience
Both days 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Reception Tent
Smoking Food Techniques
Both days 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Central Garden Area
Grilling Food Techniques
Both days 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Central Garden Area
Celebrity Chef Demonstrations
• SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Better Built Demonstration Tent #1
11:30 a.m. – VIP Ticket Holders Special Event: Cat Cora
12:30 p.m. – Gale Gand Demo + Book Signing
1:30 p.m. – Valerie Gordon
2:30 p.m. – Suzanne Tracht
3:15 p.m. – Ricardo Zarate Demo + Book Signing
Ferguson Demonstration Tent #2
12:15 p.m. – Kelly Childs & Erinn Weatherbie Demo + Book Signing
1:15 p.m. – The Hearty Boys Demo + Book Signing
2:15 p.m. – Zack Bruell
3:15 p.m. – Sean Le
Ferguson Demonstration Tent #3
12 p.m. – Chef to be Announced
1 p.m. – Mike Milligan
2 p.m. – Bruno Lopez
3 p.m. – Herve Glin
• SUNDAY, APRIL 10
Better Built Demonstration Tent #1
11:30 p.m. – VIP Ticket Holders Special Event: Ricardo Zarate
12:30 p.m. – Gale Gand Demo + Book Signing
1:30 p.m. – Valerie Gordon
2:30 p.m. – Aarti Sequeira
3:15 p.m. – Suzanne Tracht
Ferguson Demonstration Tent #2
12 p.m. – Engin Onural
1 p.m. – Drew Davis
2 p.m. – Sean Le
3 p.m. – Daniel Villanueva
Ferguson Demonstration Tent #3
12:15 p.m. – Zack Bruell
1:15 p.m. – The Hearty Boys
2:15 p.m. – Kelly Childs & Erinn Weatherbie Demo + Book Signing
3:15 p.m. – Matt Leverty
WHAT: Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
WHEN: April 8-10, 2016
WEB: palmdesertfoodandwine.com