Living Coast Discovery Center to Host Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, Aug. 2

July 5, 2014

The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the southern edge of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, will host its fifth annual Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 4 to 7:30pm. The Farm to Bay 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.
The culinary chair for this year’s event is Chef Joe Busalacchi of the Busalacchi family of restaurants, which includes many of San Diego’s favorite Italian-inspired eateries, including Busalacchi’s A Modo Mio, Po Pazzo Bar & Grille, Via Lago Trattoria, Café Zucchero, Trattoria Fantastica and Zia’s Bistro.

“Joe has been a tremendous supporter of the Living Coast Discovery Center for many years and we’re thrilled to have him be the face of this year’s celebration,” said Executive Director Ben Vallejos. “This is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year and a truly fun way to support everything we do here at the center. Where else can you sip, sample and mingle with amazing animals all from inside a national wildlife refuge on San Diego Bay?”

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, 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).  addition to Chef Busalacchi, other confirmed restaurant and beverage partners include:

·        The Grant Grill
·        Great Maple
·        Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay
·        Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro
·        Tender Greens
·        Sprouts Farmers Market
·        Elizabethan Desserts
·        Stone Brewing Co.
·        The Lost Abbey
·        Automatic Brewing Co.
·        Karl Strauss Brewing Co.
·        Rough Draft Brewing Co.
·        California Fruit Wine
·       And dozens more

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. 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 wildlife experience alongside dozens of nativespecies.

Tickets are on sale now for $75 at thelivingcoast.org. Last year’s event completely sold out, so advanced tickets are highly recommended. The Living Coast Discovery Center is located at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive in Chula Vista.