Upcoming San Diego Events

There are a few upcoming San Diego Food Events that may be of interest that I thought I’d highlight:

San Diego Magazine Best of SD Party

San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego Party is this Friday, August 23, 2013 from 6:30-9:30 at NTC Liberty Station. It’s unlimited food and drink samples once you enter from a huge list of vendors, including many that won “best” awards through readers’ votes. Mr. K and I went last year and stuffed ourselves to the max. We will be going again this year thanks to complimentary tickets provided by San Diego Magazine. San Diego Magazine also provided a code for my readers for $10 off tickets, just enter “KirbiesCravings” in the promo code section. You can buy tickets here.

If you do go, I recommend you get there early. It got pretty crowded toward the end of the night last year. The highlights for me last year included the Stella Artois Lounge (where we got to take home some really nice beer glasses and goblets), Slater’s 50/50 (it was my first taste of their famous burger), ice cream bars from a vendor I can’t remember, and much more. I took photos but lost them so I never did a post. This year’s list of participants looks equally amazing. I’m really looking forward to Bencotto (on my to-do list), Addison (I usually love what they bring to these events), Puesto (I love their street tacos), Ballast (one of my favorite breweries), and Oceanaire (one of my favorite seafood places in SD). Here is the complete list:

Fig Festival

On Sunday September 8, 2013 the San Diego Public Market will be hosting the Fig Festival. Figs are one of my favorite fruits and this festival will feature samples by some of the best chefs in San Diego, wine makers and breweries. You can buy tickets here.

Participating chefs include:
Chef Jeff Jackson, A.R. Valentien
Chefs Nicolas Bour & James Kozak, Avant
Chef Amy DiBiase, Baleen
Chef George Morris, Beaumont’s Eatery
Chef Patrick Ponsaty, Bellamy’s Restaurant
Biscuit Gourmet Biscotti
Chef Gayle Covner, Blueprint Cafe
Chef Katie Grebow, Cafe Chloe
Chef Joanne Squires-Sherif, Cardamom (Bakery)
Carole Bloom Patissiere
Dave Rudie/Tommy Gomes, Catalina Offshore
Chef Martin San Ramon, Martin San Ramon Catering
Chef Ryan Steyn, Ryan Steyn Catering
Beatriz Ledezma, Caxao Chocolates
Robin Ross, Cupcakes Squared
Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach, CUPS
Chef Drew Deckman, Deckman’s en el Mogor
Chef Olivier Bioteau, Farm House Café
Grant Grill
Great Maple
Chef Flor Franco, Indulge Contemporary Catering
David Baron, Jackie’s Jams
Chef Christian Graves, JSix
La Querencia Baja Med
Chef Gregory Frey, BlueFire Grill
Chef Benito Molina, Manzanilla
Two Extra Virgins Press, The Greek Gourmet Catering
Chef Javier Plascencia, Misión 19
Chef Fabrizio Cavallini, Monello, Bencotto
Chef Rachel King, NINE-TEN
Chef Michael Alves, Roseville Cozhina
Chef Maeve Schulz, Sugar & Scribe
Chef Matt Richman, Table 926
Chef Jean-Michel Diot, Tapenade
Catherine Demuth-Pepe, Temecula Olive Oil
Chef Bradley Austin, Tender Greens
Chef Jeff Rossman, Terra American Bistro
Chefs Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver, The Marine Room
Chef Miguel Valdez, The Red Door/Wellington
Urban Plantations
Gina Frieze, Venissimo Cheese with Bread & Cie
Chef Dawn Parks, Wild Thyme
Aborigen
Casa de Piedra
Cava Aragon 126
Estacion de Oficios el Porvenir
Hacienda La Lomita
Moebius
Paralelo
Tres Valles
Vinas de Garza
Vinisterra
Vinas Pijoan

Spirit of Mexico Festival

The Spirit of Mexico Festival will take place in San Diego between September 17-21, 2013. There will be a variety of events on each day including tequila exhibits, awards dinners, and a main tasting event on September 21. You can buy tickets here. I will also be giving away a pair of tickets to the Tequila Trail and Main Tasting event, so stay tuned for that.