Star Studded Lineup Announced For 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

- The 7th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, the largest wine and food festival in Southern California, announced today the partial star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs, rising culinary stars, sommeliers and master sommeliers making an appearance at this year's event. Held November 17-21, the weeklong culinary extravaganza features some of the most well-known chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and television personalities in the industry, coming together to share their passion for outstanding food and wine with 10,000 'foodies' who experience the event each year, said Michelle Metter, the Festival's co-producer.

"The culinary star power featured at this year's Festival has never been seen before in the city of San Diego," added Metter. "The Festival is a major culinary tourism attraction, and this year's lineup is on par with the local and national star power seen at major festivals around the United States. The 2010 Festival gives food and wine enthusiasts across the nation the opportunity to meet the stars face-to-face and experience true wine, spirit and culinary talent at its best."

The lineup of celebrity participants in this year's San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival include the likes of James Beard Award winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, Cooking Light Magazine's Executive Chef Billy Strynkowski, StarChefs Rising Star and Executive Chef of Jos� Andr�s Catering by Ridgewell's Chef Katsuya Fukushima, Chef Patrice Olivon of the French Embassy, former Bravo "Top Chef" star and host of TLC's "Mega Bites" Brian Malarkey, 11th generation glass maker Maximilian Riedel, Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman, Chef Suzette Gresham of Acquerello, television star Sam Zien of "Sam the Cooking Guy," Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room, Chef Deborah Scott of Indigo Grill/Kemo Sabe/ Island Prime/ C Level, Chocolatier Michael Antonorsi of Chuao Chocolatier, Chef Scott Wagner of ChileCo Catering, Chef William Bradley and Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez of Addison Del Mar, founder of the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center John Along�, Sommelier Lisa Redwine of The Shores Restaurant, among others.

Celebrity chefs, television personalities and winemakers will participate in the Festival's cooking and wine tasting classes, as well as several other events taking place throughout the week. The weeklong schedule of events is as follows:

* VIP Party (November 14) - Media, Chefs and VIPs will hit the beach at W Hotel for a preview of what's in store at this year's San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. By invitation only.
* WineRave 2010 (November 17) - WineRave San Diego kicks off the Festival by hosting 25 of the edgiest wine and spirits on the market today. Dance the night away at one of San Diego's top nightclubs, while sipping on exceptional vino. Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 at the door.

* Wine Tasting & Cooking Classes (November 18 & 19) - Held at the Macy's School of Cooking and the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, nationally acclaimed chefs, award-winning winemakers and culinary personalities turn up the heat in a number of wine tasting and cooking classes. Price: ranges from $55-$125.

* Celebrity Dine Around (November 18) - Held at various restaurants around the city, the Celebrity Dine Around features a world-class pairing of a local and celebrity chef, coming together to create this awe-inspiring dinner series. Dinners range from three to five courses and are paired with wine. Ticket price varies. Please visit website.

* Industry Insiders Party (November 18) - Only 50 coveted tickets are available for this invite-only industry party, where celebrity chefs and culinary legends collide. Tickets are $200.