Get The Ultimate San Diego Public Market Experience at the Taste of the Market Event | Sunday, February 10th

January 27, 2013

Don't miss the chance to join local farmers and esteemed chefs on Sunday, February 10th from 4 pm to 6:30 pm for Taste of the Market at the new San Diego Public Market.  This exclusive event will provide participants with a look at some of the artisan foods and dining experiences that will occupy the market later this year.  Local chefs including Andrew Spurgin, Melissa Mayer, Trey Foshee, Chad White, Pete Balistreri, Katie Grebow and more will use local farm ingredients at tasting stations while market purveyors will offer a preview of what's to come.  Enjoy live music and tours of the 92,000 square foot market property and support the creation of San Diego's very own Public Market.

Motivated by an appeal to open a public market similar to Pike Place in Seattle and Reading Terminal in Philadephia, an astounding 1,379 people donated to the first San Diego Public Market fundraiser on Kickstarter, with various premiums awarded to each donation level. Tickets to a market-maker dinner were the reward for several big groups of Kickstarters, and the upcoming Taste of the Market is another of those events.  This time the public is invited to buy the remaining tickets. In addition to wonderful food, beverage and live music,  attendees will get an up-close view of what's to come at the expansive public market site with tours of the property by founders Dale Steele and Catt White.

Co-chair chef Andrew Spurgin

“THE first thing I do when I travel is hit the local market, Seattle, SF, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc. But, San Diego, Oops…what? Not here, until now!" said local chef and co-event organizer Andrew Spurgin, "Local like-minded chefs, farmers, ranchers, fishers, and artisans of all kinds believe and support the San Diego Public Market and the vision. That’s why we are all coming together to cook for you and to shoot up a green flare and say 'Hey we’re here!' This IS what a community can do… Together!”

Although currently open to the public on Wednesday and Sunday, San Diego's full time, permanent market (think La Boqueria, Barcelona's famed public market...but better) will launch this spring/summer, filling a high-ceilinged former boiler factory with farm fresh produce and eggs, fish and meats, dining adventures, cheese making, salumi curing, tortilla slinging, chocolate tempering, coffee roasting, bread baking and so much more.

Co-chair chef Melissa Mayer

Participating chefs offering samples at Taste of the Market include Andrew Spurgin of Andrew Spurgin™ Hanis Cavin of Carnitas Snack Shack, Trey Foshee of George's at the Cove, Ryan Johnston of Whisknladle and Prep Kitchen, San Diego Public Market's own Melissa Mayer of Martini Media and co-event organizer, Christian Egger of Supernatural Sandwich, Chad White of Plancha Baja Med, Pete Balistreri of Tender Greens, Ricardo Heredia of Alchemy, Katie Grebow of Café Chloe and Oliver & Rose, and Craig Jimenez of Roseville Cozinha. Crafted culinary cocktails will be provided by Michael Esposito of Snake Oil Cocktail Co. There will also be samples of farm fresh produce from Suzie's Farm, Paradise Valley Ranch, and Maciel Family Farm among others, goat cheese ravioli from Nicolau Farm, quail from Spur Valley Ranch, fish from Salmon Slingers and Catalina Offshore, a cheese course from Venissimo, as well as sips from Julian Hard Cider and others.

Proceeds in excess of event expenses will fuel the continuing development of the Market Kitchen, a commissary kitchen that will support public market shopkeepers and farmers' market vendors and provide community culinary and nutrition education.

Don't miss the opportunity to get a first look at what is sure to be the nation's next big public market, all while sampling delicious bites from San Diego's top chefs, mixologists and food purveyors.  A limited number of tickets are available for online purchase for $85 per person.  For more information, be sure to visit San Diego Public Market online, and follow on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.