What You Can’t Miss at the Baja California Culinary Fest 2014

The next stop on the food festival tour is Baja California! The Baja California Culinary Fest is back for its fourth year, shining a much deserved spotlight on the produce, foods, wines, chefs, sommeliers, and restaurants of the region. Happening October 29-November 2, it’s a weekend of seminars and demos, chef dinners and street food tours, parties, and lots and lots of regional wine. Keep a look out for host chefs: Diego Hernandez Baquedano, Javier Plascensia, Miguel Angel Guerrero, Roberto Alcocer, and more. And roaming the festival, you’ll find guest chefs: Dominique Crenn, Ludo Lefebvre, Martha Ortiz, Martin Gonzalez, and more. Here’s what we’re excited to check out. 

Wednesday, October 29

BCCF 2014 Inaugural Dinner, 8 pm

Kick off the festival with the inaugural dinner, taking place at the Mercado Hidalgo. Local chefs will be on hand to showcase the cuisine of Tijuana and Baja California.

Thursday, October 30

Ensenada Gastronomica Conference, 10 am to 9 pm

This is the first full day of the conference with workshops, seminars, discussions, and demos from some of the country’s most notable chefs and experts. They will all be working off this year’s theme: “Sustainable Mexico, Local and Seasonal Cuisine.”

Chef Dinners

This day ends with three spectacular chef dinners. All mouthwatering and delicious, we’re excited to check out Dominique Crenn from San Francisco, in the kitchens at Corazon de Tierra. Here’s where chefs will be cooking: catch Miguel Angel Guerrero and Martin Gonzalez at Esperenza; Gerard Bellver, Zahie Tellez, and Bianca Castro at Boules; and Diego Hernandez, Humberto Avilés, and Crenn at Corazón de Tierra.

Friday, October 31

Ensenada Gastronomica Conference, 10 am to 9 pm

There’s nothing scary here at day two of the conference. The seminars, demos, classes, and debates continue!

Chef Dinners

Tonight there are two mouthwatering chef dinners available: chefs Benito y Solange, Bruno Oteiza, and Manolo Baños will be at Manzanilla; and Flor Franco, Luis Robledo, and Esteban Lluis will be at Convivia. Reservations are required for both.

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Saturday, November 1

Ruta del Vino Outing, 10 am

Hit the road to visit 3 Valle de Guadalupe Wineries:  LA Cetto, Vinícola Torres Alegre y Familia, and Monte Xanic. The boozy affair will include two wine tastings at each vineyard, a tour at the Musel del Vino, and lunch. Salud!

Street Food Tour with Club Tengo Hambre, Time TBD

Join the “roving supper club” Club Tengo Hambre and special guest, Los Angeles based sommelier, Taylor Parsons, for a special street food tour paired with wines from the Guadalupe Valley. You’ll hit Tacos Kokopelli, Mariscos Becerra, and La Taqueseria.

Conchas Y Vino Workshop and BBQ, 11 am

If seafood is calling your name, opt for this seminar at the Hotel Coral y Marina. Chefs will teach you how to handle shellfish and how to cook it outdoors, all with glasses of regional wine in hand!

Chef Dinners

Tonight, have your pick of three amazing dinners. Roberto Alcocer, Francisco Ruano, and Manuel Rubio will be sharing the kitchen at Malva; Javier Plascencia, Ludo Lefevre, Ryan Steyn, Drew Deckman, and Zahie Téllez will be at Misión 19; and catch Sano Hussong and Victor Zárate at Sano’s.

Sunday, November 2

Street Food Tour with Club Tengo Hambre, Time TBD

Club Tengo Hambre is back for a street food tour of Ensenada with Los Angeles based sommelier, Taylor Parsons. Today, join the group for stops at La Guerrerense, Muelle Tres, and Manzanilla. And all the plates will be paired with local wines!

Food Trucks in the Valle, 12 pm

End the festival with a stop at Finca Altozano. Here the region’s best food trucks will gather to show off their mobile culinary skills. You’ll also get a chance to taste local wines and craft beer, listen to live music, take a hot air balloon ride, and check out the Gourmet Villa, which will showcase a sample of Baja’s best natural, artisanal products.