The seventh annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival, presenting some of the world’s best chefs, vintners, and craft brewers from across the country,  takes place March 24-26, 2017 in the heart of the famed El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert. This year’s event begins on Friday, March 24, 2017 with the four-course James Beard Gourmet Four-Course luncheon, with emcee Gail Simmons, Food Expert, Food & Wine’s Special Projects Director and judge on Bravo’s Top Chef. The luncheon is followed by two days of Grand Tastings, featuring delectable morsels from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from all across California and the country. More than 60 premium wines and champagnes will be offered as well, and participants will be able to interact with the vintners and chefs to discuss in detail about the offerings.

Palm Desert Food & Wine is a supporter of the Coachella Valley’s FIND Food Bank. For every Palm Desert Food & Wine ticket purchased, 35 meals will be provided to FIND Food Bank, which provides food assistance and basic essentials to those in need in the local community through a network of agency members.

Schedule 2017 of Events

Friday, March 24, 2017

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon Hosted by Gail Simmons, Food Expert, Food & Wine Special Projects Director, and judge on Bravo’s Top Chef

Saturday, March 25, 2017

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Gale Gand’s PIE CAMP*
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – VIP Grand Tasting with Gale Gand’s PIE CAMP*
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – VIP Grand Tasting (chef demonstration with Gail Simmons and Brooke Williamson)

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Grand Tasting
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Chef Demonstrations

Sunday, March 26, 2017

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – VIP Grand Tasting (chef demonstration featuring Aarti Sequeira)
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Grand Tasting
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Chef Demonstrations

For more information and tickets, please visit: http://palmdesertfoodandwine.com

Also, to read a Desert Sun article about the event by Xochitl Pena, please visit: http://www.desertsun.com/story/life/food/2017/03/21/bravos-top-chef-masters-bring-flavor-palm-desert-food-wine-festival/99430944/

Celebrity Chefs Participating Include (from left to right):

Gail Simmons, Food Expert, Food & Wine's Special Projects Director, and judge on BRAVO's Top Chef;

Casey Thompson, Celebrity Chef and Culinary Personality and 3-time Competitor on Bravo's Top Chef; and

Brooke Williamson, Co-Chef/Co-Owner, Tripel, The Hudson House, Playa Provisions, Da Kikokiko.