10/17/2025
The countdown is on.🍷
Festival returns November 2-9 with an extraordinary lineup of chefs, restaurateurs, and tastemakers from Southern California, Mexico, and beyond.
Here’s a taste of what’s to come:
🧘🏽♀️Savor & Reset: Wellness Weekend (Nov 2-3)
This new addition celebrates balance and nourishment with chef-driven, nutrient-dense menus, low- and no-ABV pairings, and wellness activations at Fox Point Farms, an innovative agrihood in Encinitas. Expect yoga, sound baths, and food that makes you feel good without sacrificing flavor.
🇵🇭Start Early: Flavors of Kapwa (Nov 3)
Kick off the week with a soulful, family-style Filipino dinner at Animae, where two-time James Beard Finalist Tara Monsod hosts Lordfer Lalicon (Kaya, Orlando) and Melissa Miranda (Musang, Seattle). The dinner explores the Filipino concept of kapwa — shared identity and connection — through elevated takes on traditional flavors.
🇲🇽Journey South: Baja Culinary Expedition (Nov 6)
A cross-border dining adventure through the Michelin Guide Mexico, featuring chefs from Envero, Olivea, Fauna Restaurante, Bruma Wine Garden, and Lunario, alongside Valle de Guadalupe top winemakers. A rare, insider experience for those who love Baja’s distinctive food-and-wine scene.
🍴Think Forward: Forkcast - The Future of Food Summit (Nov 6)
A deep-dive day for journalists, activists, and changemakers. Chefs, policymakers, and thought leaders explore the future of food systems, sustainability, and equity through panels and roundtable discussions.
🍷Kick Off the Grand Weekend: Friends of James Beard Foundation Opening Night - Grand Decant (Nov 7)
The Grand Decant is the festival’s signature kickoff, a gathering of James Beard and Michelin-recognized chefs serving alongside global wine and spirits brands pouring their most prized vintages and small-batch releases. Think of it as the festival’s version of the Academy Awards red carpet for food lovers.
(Cont. in comments 👇🏼)
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