San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival is this week

By Janene Roberts

I often have discussions with my client at the San Diego Culinary Institute about the exciting changes the last ten years have seen in the San Diego culinary scene. Many people are surprised when I mention I work with a high-level culinary school here,
"We have a culinary school in San Diego?" I'm often asked. It's the same sort of reaction I get when I mention that there are quite a few artisan wineries here too.

Anyway, I have a lot of respect for the producers of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival because they've recognized this trend and have created a week-long celebration (starting this week) of these creators–And it's right before the holiday food season when most of us want to be up on the latest wines to pair for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and how to cook using the local, organic produce at our farmers markets.

With the rock star status chefs have been getting lately, I'm proud to say some of the local stars have ties to training at the San Diego Culinary Institute. Can you guess one of them? A hint, he was on that sleeper show on Bravo called, yawn, Top Chef.

Anyway, if you want to get up close and semi-personal with these demigods you'll find them at the Festival's Tastemaker Dinner Series where they've matched nationally acclaimed chefs with local celebrity chefs.

Thursday, November 18, 6pm
It's Chef Suzette Gresham and Chef William Bradley for an Italian inspired seven course meal paired with Domaine Serene wine.

At another venue you'll find Chefs Thierry Rautureau and Paul McCabe presenting a four course meal plus dessert with wines by Justin Winery.

Friday, November 19, 6pm
Chefs Kim Canteenwalla, Deborah Scott and Mike Suttles are creating a five course meal with wines by Robert Mondavi.

Another dinner matches Chefs Billy Strynkowski and Scott Wagner preparing a five course meal paired with Zonin USA wine.

You'll find the complete list of events, dinners, classes and grand festival information in all price ranges at the festival's website www.worldofwineevents.com. Event runs from November 17 to the 21st.