Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence Headlines Star-Studded Relish Food & Wine Festival in Newport Beach - NewsBreak
Photograph Courtesy of Tyler Florence
Tyler Florence’s “to-do” list must be long enough to stretch the length of the Golden Gate Bridge. OK—that’s a bit hyperbolic. But this is one busy guy. Following the release of his 17th cookbook, “American Grill: 25 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire,” in 2024, the Bay Area-based Food Network star returned to host the 18th season of “The Great American Food Truck Race,” which is one of the channel’s most enduring and popular shows. And, in addition to managing his two popular San Francisco restaurants—Wayfare Tavern and Miller & Lux—Florence has expanded his culinary footprint with new cafes in the city’s Union Square and a second Miller & Lux location at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Now, somehow, the award-winning chef has found time to headline a much-anticipated food, wine, and spirits festival, Relish, taking place June 27 through 29 at Vea Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa.
Photograph Courtesy of Tyler Florence
“I spend so much time either on the road shooting or in my restaurants cooking,” he says. “Food festivals like Relish give me a chance to get out, see old friends and colleagues, meet new people, and just talk to people face-to-face. I think Southern California has some really exciting talent, restaurants, and fresh produce and ingredients, so it’s always exciting to sample some of the local cuisine and see what other great chefs are doing.”
Although he and the event’s founder—O.C.-based Chef Jamie Gwen—are mum on the details, Florence says he’ll host an exclusive Saturday evening engagement with live entertainment and, of course, terrific food and drink. “There are always good surprises in store when we show up,” Florence says. “My corporate chef, Matt Masera, and I really consider each location carefully when menu planning, and we’re working on something fabulous. We’re excited to do something different. My summer is mostly about live-fire cooking … and these dishes will be a bit of a departure from that, which will be fun.”
The festival, which lists Visit Newport Beach and South Coast Plaza among its sponsors, is on track to feature an impressive lineup of talent, many of whom Gwen has met during her own television appearances or on her nationally syndicated radio show, which is how she came to know Florence 15 years ago. They’ve been friends ever since. “He pours his heart and soul into every project, and he’s loyal to his roots and his history of success in Northern California,” Gwen says. “He’s had an incredibly long run in the industry. … I admire his work ethic and his hunger to always do something greater.”
The whole weekend has the potential for a bounty of delicious fun, with James Beard-caliber talent from all over the country leading a series of events. In other words, this won’t be your average food fest. It’ll be a weekend of experiences and tastes that you won’t otherwise find in Orange County. And there’s even a direct James Beard Foundation connection—a first for an O.C. food event. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the esteemed nonprofit organization, which celebrates and supports the people driving the nation’s food culture and advocates for new standards in the restaurant industry. “It’s going to a bespoke, spectacular gastronomic weekend,” says Gwen, who’s partnered with celebrity event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events to help with the festival’s production, management, and design. “From celebrity chefs and renowned winemakers to exclusive classes with chefs, farmers and artisans … the weekend is guaranteed to be delicious.”
Photograph courtesy of Jamie Gwen
Gwen envisions this fete being followed by other “edutainment” concepts under the Relish name and hopes to take the concept to other areas of the country. “My dream is to take it to Nashville next,” she says. “I love the food scene and the country music vibe.”
The festival begins with an opening night party on Friday, followed by a private dinner featuring another acclaimed Food Network personality, Chef Scott Conant, who’s opened restaurants across the country and authored four cookbooks. Other notable talents include Pastry Chef Gale Gand, cheese master Afrim Pristine, and legendary winemaker Bob Cabral, who’s created nectars for wineries such as Bricoleur Vineyards and Williams Selyem.
“I’m especially thrilled to kick off Relish on Friday night,” says Gwen. “We’ll be showcasing recipes from each participating chef and offering tastes of their best dishes. We have our resident mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim of ‘Iron Chef’ fame curating cocktails for the evening, and we have some extraordinary entertainment to showcase. It’s going to be an incredible party.”
Tickets can be purchased through the Relish website with options for individual events—including the Opening Night Cocktail Party, celebrity chef dinners with Tyler Florence and Scott Conant, and culinary master classes—as well as the all-inclusive VIP Weekend Experience. Sponsorship opportunities are available. relishfoodwine.com
5 to 7 p.m.
· Opening Night Cocktail Party
7 to 10 p.m.
· Chef Scott Conant private dinner
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Master Classes
· Chef Gale Gand: Chocolate 101
· Cheese master Afrim Pristine: West Coast Cheeses from British Columbia to San Diego
· Winemaker Chris Kajani: Bouchaine Vineyards Napa
· Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim: Vodka + Petrossian Caviar
· Winemaker Bob Cabral: Bob Cabral Wines
6 to 10 p.m.
· An Evening with Tyler Florence and Cheese Masterpiece Opener
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
· Sushi + Doughnuts Brunch Experience
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
· Relish Wellness
· Based in Sonoma County
· Has been making wines since the 1970s
· Credited for making the first 100-point pinot noir in North America
· Created nectars for respected labels such as Bricoleur, Three Sticks, and Williams Selyem
· Wine Enthusiast named him Winemaker of the Year in 2011
· Founded Bob Cabral Wines in 2015 and produces a number of varietals, including a 2022 rose of pinot noir cuvee called American Girl, a 2019 chardonnay cuvee called Anne Rose, and a 2018 pinot noir from Fillmore and Sonoma Coast
· Based in Scottsdale
· Has opened numerous celebrated Italian restaurants, including New York’s L’Imperio in 2002, which was named Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Many other accolades and dining establishments have followed.
· Host of the new Food Network show “House of Knives” and has served as a judge on the popular TV series “Chopped” since 2009
· Author of multiple cookbooks, including “Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen”
· Based in San Francisco
· Owns five restaurants, including Miller & Lux fine dining establishments in San Francisco and at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island
· List of TV shows include “Great American Food Truck Race” and “Tyler’s Ultimate”
· Author of 17 cookbooks
· Is currently on tour for his most recent book, “American Grill: 25 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire”
Gale Gand
Pastry chef, restaurateur, and Food Network personality
· Based in Chicago
· Earned two James Beard Foundation awards—one in 2001 for Outstanding Pastry Chef and another in 2007 for Outstanding Service at her restaurant, Tru
· Host of Food Network’s “Sweet Dreams”
· Author of nine cookbooks and created her own soft drink line, Gale’s Root Beer
Tony Abou-Ganim
Mixologist
· Based in Las Vegas
· Widely considered one of the world’s top bar pros
· Developed the cocktail program for the Bellagio in Las Vegas
· Has won three “Iron Chef America” competitions, pairing cocktails with Mario Batali and Jose Garces
· Authored two books—“The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails” and “Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails”
· Created a line of bar tools under the brand Modern Mixologist
Chris Kajani
Winemaker and president, Bouchaine
· Based in Napa
· Earned a master’s degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis
· Has served as Bouchaine’s winemaker since 2015, and also led the sales and hospitality programs as general manager
· Was promoted to her current role as president last year
· Places great emphasis on practicing sustainable viticulture
Afrim Pristine
Cheese master
· Based in Toronto
· Considered Canada’s premier cheese master
· Co-owns the Cheese Boutique, founded by his father and grandfather in 1970
· Studied cheese making and held apprenticeships throughout Europe
· Serves as an ambassador for Confrérie des chevaliers du Taste Fromage de France, an association formed in 1901 to promote French cheeses
· Author of “For the Love of Cheese: Recipes and Wisdom From the Cheese Boutique”
Zac Young
Pastry chef
· Based in New York
· Considered one of the nation’s top pastry chefs
· Competed in Bravo’s first season of “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and made it to the final four
· Has served as a judge on several Food Network shows, including “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Chopped,” and “Halloween Baking Championship”
· Created the PieCaken, a three-layered dessert featuring combinations of pie fillings and cakes, and has influenced dessert programs at a number of eateries, including Flex Mussels Restaurants in New York, where his donuts landed among The New York Times’ list of top 10 donuts in the city
· His Zac Young’s Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream in Connecticut invites guests to customize their sweet treats on the spot
