The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the southern edge of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, will host its fourth annual Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The culinary celebration brings together some of San Diego’s finest names in food, wine, craft beer and spirits to support the center’s coastal wildlife conservation and education programs in its largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event has been renamed - From Farm to Bay - and will have a special emphasis on the local and sustainable food community in the San Diego region. Andrew Spurgin, acclaimed chef and culinary consultant, has joined the event as Culinary Chair.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to have Andrew involved this year,” said Living Coast Discover Center Executive Director Dr. Brian Joseph. “Thanks to his invaluable expertise, personal relationships and creative insights, our humble event has been transformed in just a few short weeks into something magical. It truly will be one of the best culinary celebrations in San Diego this year and that success will make a big impact on the families – and wildlife – we serve every day in San Diego.”
Set against the beautiful natural backdrop of San Diego Bay and the Sweetwater Marsh wildlife refuge during sunset, the celebration will feature coastal cuisine with a fun and creative twist. Each Farm to Bay chef will be asked to draw inspiration for their dish from one of the animals featured in the center’s current seasonal exhibit, Deadly Waters, which includes dangerous and mysterious creatures from around the globe such as Red-Bellied Piranha, California Barracuda, Alligator Snapping Turtles, Poison Dart Frogs, Pacific Sea Nettles, Scorpion Fish, Coconut Crabs, Mantis Shrimp, Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish, Zebra Morays, Emperor Scorpions and many more. Of course, the animals are not intended to be reflected literally in the dishes. The culinary inspiration may come from the animals’ diets, features, behaviors, country of origin or anything else that the chefs finds a connection with, allowing them to have fun and be as creative as they want.
In addition to Chef Andrew Spurgin, other confirmed restaurant and beverage partners so far include: The Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar and The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge (Chef Miguel Valdez), Brooklyn Girl (Chef Colin Murray), Kitchen 4140 (Chef Kurt Metzger), Sea Rocket Bistro (Chef Tommy Fraioli), Via Lago Trattoria by Busalacchi (Chef Joe Busalacchi), Sushi on a Roll (Chef Jeff Roberto), Terra American Bistro (Chef Jeff Rossman), Fish Market/Top of the Market (Chef Ivan Flowers), U.S. Olympic Training Center (Chef Karl Klein), Chaplos Restaurant (Chef Norma Martinez), Isola Pizza Bar (Chef Massimo Tenino), Elizabethan Desserts/Betty’s Pie Whole Saloon, Viva Pops, Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, Blind Lady Ale House, Tiger!Tiger!, Isola Pizza Bar, Papa Luna’s Empanadas, Sprouts Farmer Market, El Campanito Farm and La Bella Pizza Garden.
Confirmed beverage partners to date include: Grant Grill Mixologist Jeff Josenhans, Blind Tiger Cocktail Company Mixologist Adam Stemmler, Stone Brewery, Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, SIP Certified Sustainable Wines, Bay Bridge Brewing Company, Automatic Brewing Company, Manzanita Brewing Company, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, California Fruit Wine Company, 619 Vodka, GI Vodka Group, Trader Joe’s, Hilliard Bruce Winery, Tolosa Winery, Wiens Family Cellars, Quigley Fine Wines, Caffe Calabria and PureFlo Water.The Living Coast Discovery Center, formerly known as the Chula Vista Nature Center, is located just seven minutes from downtown San Diego along the Chula Vista waterfront. From Farm to Bay is the only San Diego food and wine event set within a protected national wildlife refuge, where guests can enjoy a unique, intimate nature and wildlife experience alongside dozens of native species.
Tickets are on sale now at www.thelivingcoast.org or by calling (619) 409-5900. Tickets are $45 for Living Coast Discovery Center members and $50 for the general public. VIP options are also available.
Guests will enjoy sampling from an estimated 30 to 40 hand-selected restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits, as well as live musical performances on multiple stages (including local American roots band, Plow), live and silent auctions, and up-close animal encounters with the Living Coast Discovery Center’s beloved animal residents (including sea turtles, sharks, rays, hawks, eagles, owls and more).
The event is made possible by the generous support of its sponsors.
Additional sponsors and food and beverage partners continue to be added to this event. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Christina Glick at [email protected]. For inquires relating to participation as a food or beverage partner, contact Carlee Gerardi at 619.487.1421 or carlee@greenwithenvy- events.com. To donate an item to the live or silent auction, contact Anna Ransler at [email protected] or (619) 409-5903.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is located at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive Chula Vista, CA 91910
