Sep 27, 2011

The Gourmet Experience Announces High Profile Line Up of Celebrity Chefs and Local Culinary Stars

The Gourmet Experience, a cooking and entertaining showcase taking place this October 8-9, 2011 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of celebrity chefs and local culinary stars set to headline this year’s three demonstration stages with culinary entertainment for the whole family. The high profile line-up includes former contestants on “Top Chef,” Chef Dave Martin and Chef Fabio Vivani; former contestant on “Master Chef,” Chef Sharone Hackman; former contestants on “The Next Food Network Star,” Chef Katy Clark and Chef Jyll Everman; World Champion Flair Bartender Hayden Wood; and “Peas and Thank You” author Sarah Matheny to name a few, said Michelle Metter, co-producer of The Gourmet Experience.

“This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, with three demonstration stages and an action-packed line-up of fun and educational demonstrations about everything from fresh farm to kitchen cooking, to the art of edible cocktails, and cooking and grilling demonstrations on a range of interesting topics,” added Metter. “We’re excited to introduce this year’s chefs and presenters, which include many well-known personalities and big names in the culinary industry, both nationally and locally.”

Chefs and presenters will appear on one of the event’s three demonstration stages, including the “Gourmet In Action” Stage, the Kids Cook! Activity Stage, and the Grilling & Outdoor Entertainment Stage.

Gourmet In Action Stage

Saturday – October 8, 2011

10:30 – Chef Judd Canepari, Grow Foods Inc., Vertical Restaurants and Farmers Market Aquaponic Cooking – Sustainable Cooking and Eating

12:00 – Chef Eugenio Martignago, West Steak & Seafood Farm to Kitchen Fresh Cooking

1:00 – Chef Cathlyn Choi, Host/ Producer, Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen A Taste of Healthy and Delicious Korean Cuisine

2:00 – Chef Bernard Guillas, The Marine Room La Jolla Bountiful Farmer’s Market – Hibiscus Infused Lemon Bar

3:00 – Chef Fabio Viviani, Firenze Osteria & Café Firzenze, Bravo’s “Top Chef” Potato Gnocchi with Cherry Tomato Sauce

4:00 – Hayden Wood, World Champion Flair Bartender Woody’s Liquid Kitchen – Home Party

Sunday – October 9, 2011

10:30 – Trade Presentation

12:00 – Chef Ro Zinniger, Ro Z’s Sweet Art Studio Easy to Create and Decorate – Caramel Apple Cupcakes

1:00 – Chef Bernard Guillas, The Marine Room La Jolla Autumn Comfort – Portobello Mushroom Bisque

2:00 – Chef Daniel Barron, Blue Point Coastal Cuisine Edible Cocktails – Combining Mixology Techniques With Culinary Flavors

3:00 – Chef Dave Martin, Author of “Flavor Quest,” Bravo’s “Top Chef” Seasonal & Sensational – Gearing Up for Fantastic Fall Dishes

4:00 – John Alonge, San Diego Wine & Culinary Center 5 Steps to Truly Enjoying Wine

Grilling & Outdoor Entertaining Stage

Saturday – October 8, 2011

12:30 – Chef Dave Martin, Author of “Flavor Quest,” Bravo’s “Top Chef” Marinades, Rubs & Sauces

1:30 – Chef Tom McAliney of Brandt Beef

2:30 – Sharone Hakman, FOX’s “Master Chef” BBQ Elevated – Taking the Taste and Look of Food to the Next Level

3:30 – Jyll Everman, Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star” Tailgating 101 – Tailgating Essentials from the Grill

Sunday – October 9, 2011

11:30 – Chef Tom McAliney of Brandt Beef

12:30 – Fish Taco TKO Sponsored by Barbeques Galore Local chefs compete for the title of San Diego’s Best Fish Taco

2:30 – Chef Denise Roa, Rancho La Puerta A Healthy and Simple Approach to San Diego’s Favorite Dish: Fish Tacos

3:30 – Sharone Hakman, FOX’s “Master Chef” BBQ Elevated – Taking the Taste and Look of Food to the Next Level

4:30 – Chef Tony Miller, Arterra Restaurant San Diego Marriott Del Mar Grilled Flatbreads – Not Just Confined to the Oven

Kids Cook! Activity Center

Saturday – October 8, 2011

12:00 – Tara Martin, Owner of Vixen’s Mixins Cupcake Decorating Contest

1:00 – Sarah Matheny, Author of “Peas and Thank You” Harvest Treats

2:00 – Yvette Garfield, Author of “Handstand Kids” International Gourmet Popcorn

3:00 – Chef Jeff Rossman, Terra Bistro Meet The Farmer, Cook With The Chef

Sunday – October 9, 2011

12:00 – Tara Martin, Owner of Vixen’s Mixins “Guess the Frosting” Flavor Tasting Challenge

1:00 – Chef Katy Clark, Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star” Look! I Can Cook!

2:00 – Yvette Garfield, Author of Handstand Kids Apple-licious Taquitos

2:15 – Alannah Sinclaire, Owner of Success SD Table Manners for Kids

3:00 – Sarah Matheny, Author of “Peas and Thank You” Breakfast To-Go

Featured Chefs & Personalities:

Chef Fabio Viviani, Executive Chef of Café Firenze and Firenze Osteria

Chef Fabio Viviani made his first appearance on television in the hit show, Top Chef Season 5. Viviani attended Italy’s Instituto Professionale per I Servizi Alberghieri in Florence, focusing on advanced Tuscan and regional cooking. He is now the Executive Chef and Owner of Café Firenze in Moorpark, CA and Firenze Osteria in Toluca Lake, CA.

Chef Dave Martin, Author of “Flavor Quest,” Bravo’s “Top Chef”

Fans remember Chef Dave Martin for his famous Black Truffle Mac n’ Cheese on Top Chef. Since the series, Martin made the leap to New York City, where he served as Executive/Consulting Chef at Lola, Crave on 42nd, and VYNL Restaurants. He is currently releasing his line of cookbooks, rubs, marinades and sauces called Flavor Quest.

Chef Sharone Hakman, FOX’s “Master Chef”

Growing up in a Hispanic area in Los Angeles, with Polish and Israeli influences from his family, Chef Sharone Hakman was influenced by quite an array of culinary styles. Hakman previously pursued a career in the finance world, until his son, Lukah, was born and he made the switch to follow his dreams. He currently works as a personal chef and caterer in Los Angeles.

Jyll Everman, Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star”

A private chef for six years, Jyll opened Jyllicious Bites, a catering company devoted to gourmet finger foods. In addition, Jyll teaches monthly cooking classes focusing on bite-sized appetizers perfect for entertaining. Jyll was one of the five finalists on Food Network’s Season 7 Next Food Network Star.

Katy Clark, Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star”

Chef Katy Clark is a culinary health and fitness expert and runs Fit Chef Katy, where her mission is to educate others about her mantra of “healthy choices, healthy you.” The program is designed to equip a person to find lifestyle solutions that will lead them closer to living a balanced and healthy life without sacrificing taste.

Sarah Matheny, Author of “Peas and Thank You”

Sarah Matheny, voted one of Babble.com’s top 100 food mom bloggers, is the creator of the popular blog PeasandThankYou.com. She is the author of Peas and Thank You: Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love.Her recipes have been featured in Vegetarian Times, The Oregonian, The Denver Post and Austin American-Statesman among others.

Hayden Wood, World Champion Flair Bartender

As one of the world’s most acclaimed bartenders, Wood has made a career out of traveling the world, mixing drinks and sharing his knowledge. His cocktails have been sampled by Oprah, Madonna, Quentin Tarantino, Bono, Chelsea Clinton and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Chef Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef of the Marine Room La Jolla

Award-winning Chef, Bernard Guillas, joined La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in June 1994. Guillas is responsible for directing the resort’s three restaurants and all catering operations. Guillas is also co-author of the cookbook, Flying Pans: Two Chefs, One World.

Chef Eugenio Martignago, Executive Chef of West Steak & Seafood

Chef Eugenio Martignago is a native of Italy who has worked at a number of acclaimed restaurants on the west coast and Hawaii. Martignago describes his cooking style as a collage of his culinary experiences from around the world and combines his farm-to-table approach to dining with French and Italian influences.

Chef Cathlyn Choi, Host of “Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen”

A multi-lingual, multi-talented entrepreneur and TV show host, Cathlyn can best be described as an “all-in-one” artist. A Korean by nationality, Cathlyn launched Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen, the first Korean cooking show in February 2009 on KTSD Time Warner Cable Channel 12.

Chef Denise Roa, Executive Chef of Rancho La Puerta

Chef Denise Roa graduated with dual degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry at Johnson & Wales University in Miami. She moved to San Diego in 1998 and began a successful career working for several of the region’s best restaurants, including Pacifica Del Mar, Hilton Torrey Pines, and La Trattoria. Roa is now the Executive Chef of the pioneering health spa and retreat resort, Rancho La Puerta.

Chef Tom McAliney, Executive Chef for Brandt Beef

Thomas McAliney is the executive chef of Brandt Beef, a family owned, premium natural beef producer dedicated to sustainable practices. In this role, McAliney actively works with chefs, retailers and consumers to promote Brandt’s all-natural beef products and environmentally sustainable practices.

John Alonge, San Diego Wine & Culinary Center

Alonge’s experience harvesting and bottling red and whites in the Loire Valley fueled his lifelong passion for food and wine. As owner of the San Diego Bay Wine & Culinary Center, Alonge showcases Southern California wines by blending a taste for fine wine with the accessibility of an urban location.

Chef Jeff Rossman, Executive Chef of Terra American Bistro

Recently bringing his farm-to-table dining approach to East County San Diego, Chef Jeff Rossman’s commitment to local, sustainable agriculture shows in both his cookbook, From Terra’s Table as well on the plates that come out of his brand new kitchen at Terra American Bistro. The restaurant focuses on local, sustainable and organic ingredients and extends throughout the menu, from drink, to appetizers to dessert.

Chef Daniel Barron, Executive Chef of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Chef Daniel Barron has worked in many of the top kitchens in the U.S., including Nashville, New York City, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. Today, Barron is the Executive Chef for Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, an upscale, local favorite seafood restaurant in San Diego’s popular downtown Gaslamp Quarter.

Chef Tony Miller, Arterra Restaurant San Diego Marriott Del Mar

Chef Tony Miller is known for his warm personality, authentic approach and passion for fresh flavors with house-made ingredients. Miller honed his skills at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Columbus’ Latitude 41 and the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort before setting his sites on Arterra, where he now serves as Executive Chef.

Chef Judd Canepari, Grow Foods Inc., Vertical Restaurants and Farmers Market

Judd Canepari has been an Executive Chef for the past 14 years in San Diego. Working with the aquaponic restaurant division of Grow Foods, Inc. he plans to operate Vertical Restaurants and Farmers Markets using Grow Foods’ state of the art acquaponic systems to grow 100% natural food.

Chef Rosanne Zinniger, Ro Z’s Sweet Art Studio

Ro Zinniger has been a professional Cake Stylist and instructor for ten years. She studied with cake decorating greats including her mentor Colette Peters. Ro Began her own school of baking and confectionary arts, and opened a retail shop in San Marcos, CA in 2008.

Tara Martin, Vixen’s Mixins

Creator of the famous Skinny Cakes & Skinny Icing, Tara Martin is making national headlines for the lowest calorie cupcake in the world! Tara Martin created Skinny Cakes in her own kitchen, a great tasting super low-cal treat that even her picky kids love. Vixen’s Mixins is such a hit, Martin left her job as a CBS morning news anchor to keep up with demand.

Yvette Garfield, Author of “Handstand Kids”

After an inspiring trip to India, Yvette began brainstorming ways to introduce children to international foods in a fun and hands-on way. Handstand Kids is the perfect cookbook series for kids who want to learn how to cook, while learning about the people, languages, and cultures that the dishes come from.

Additional highlights at this year’s event include two action-packed culinary competitions. This year’s expo invites San Diego’s top chefs to compete in Taco TKO, a fish taco throwdown to find the best fish tacos in San Diego. The event also features the Confection Artist Competition, a cake design competition where cake decorators will compete in two teams of 12 to create a winning Halloween themed cake design.

Single day passes to The Gourmet Experience are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and may be purchased for either of the two action-packed days. Gourmet lifestyle enthusiasts who want an extended taste of The Gourmet Experience can get “The Weekend Gourmet” pass, giving you access to the expo for the entire weekend. Tickets for weekend passes are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Admission is free for children 12 years of age and younger. All demonstrations are included in the cost of tickets. Seats are available first come, first served.

For more information or to purchase tickets to The Gourmet Experience, visit www.thegourmetexpo.com. THE GOURMET EXPERIENCE The Gourmet Experience is a food, luxury and lifestyle event showcasing the best in gourmet products and services. From professional cookware to epicurean travel tours to home entertaining, The Gourmet Experience is the ultimate lifestyle event for those with refined and sophisticated tastes. Held in San Diego on October 8-9, 2011, the event features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing gourmet cuisine, products and services geared toward trade members and the everyday gourmand. For more information, visit www.thegourmetexpo.com. FAST FORWARD EVENT PRODUCTIONS As an award-winning turnkey event management and marketing solutions provider, Fast Forward Event Productions specializes in the creation of world-class trade and consumer events, brand activation and experiential marketing strategies, street team and mobile marketing tours for the luxury marketplace. From elite wine and food experiences for thousands of discriminating palates to intimate brand-to-press networking events in the heart of Manhattan, productions by Fast Forward Events accelerate human connections, put brands in front of key influencers, and deliver an unparalleled return on experience. Fast Forward Events is the producer of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, Southern California’s largest luxury wine and culinary experience now in its eighth year.