Southern California’s Newest World-Class Culinary Festival Is Coming to Manhattan Beach October 11–12

Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is about to make its grand debut, and if you have a passion about great chefs, serious flavor, and coastal California energy, this is one weekend you should already be planning around.

This October 11–12, 2024, Southern California welcomes its newest major culinary destination: the inaugural Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, a two-night, open-air celebration bringing together 50 of the best chefs in North America, top wineries, premium spirits, craft cocktails, breweries, and live entertainment—set against the coastal backdrop of one of California’s most iconic beach towns.

Founded by Shelby Russell and hosted by acclaimed chef Neal Fraser, the festival is poised to become a must-attend event for food lovers from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and well beyond.

A Coastal Culinary Festival Designed to Wander, Sip, and Savor

Unlike crowded convention-hall tastings, Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is designed as a strolling culinary experience—relaxed, social, and built for discovery.

Held at Manhattan Village, the event spans a 40,000-square-foot outdoor space at the end of the Veterans Parkway Greenbelt Path. Guests can walk or bike in from Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach, soak in the ocean air, and explore chef stations at their own pace.

Each night features 25 chefs, meaning the full weekend showcases 50 culinary heavyweights, along with a curated lineup of wines, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and craft beers.

Relatable moment: no assigned seats, no rushed courses—just you, a glass in hand, and a “wait, I need to try that” loop all night long.

The Chef Lineup Reads Like a Culinary All-Star Roster

This is where things get serious.

The inaugural Manhattan Beach Food & Wine brings together an extraordinary mix of Michelin-recognized chefs, James Beard favorites, local legends, and international stars, representing cities across North America and Mexico.

Highlights include:

• Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn)

• Suzanne Goin (A.O.C.)

• Aarón Sánchez

• Antonia Lofaso

• Jet Tila

• Vartan Abgaryan (Momed)

• David LeFevre (Fishing With Dynamite, MB Post)

And dozens more from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Denver, Vancouver, Tijuana, and beyond.

This isn’t a pop-up tasting. It’s a statement.

Flavor-forward, fun-loving energy is the through-line here—expect bold bites, creative plating, and chefs cooking food they actually want you to remember.

Two Nights, Two Distinct Experiences

Friday, October 11 – Opening Night Celebration
A high-energy kickoff bringing chefs, media, industry insiders, and guests together for the festival’s debut night.

Saturday, October 12 – Grand Tasting
The full-scale culinary showcase, with extended tastings, live entertainment, and a packed roster of chefs and beverage partners.

Both nights include:

• VIP Power Hour: 6:00–7:00 pm

• General Admission: 7:00–10:00 pm

• 21+ only (because yes, the pours matter)

Sense of humor moment: pacing yourself will be a skill—not a suggestion.

The Inaugural Manhattan Beach Food & Wine will feature an unparalleled lineup of 50 of the Best Chefs from across North America, representing Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Solvang, Palm Springs, Vancouver, and Mexico. This elite culinary gathering promises to be a spectacular showcase of culinary excellence and innovation.

More Than a Party: Supporting the Next Generation of Chefs

The 2024 beneficiary is the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a national nonprofit providing underserved teens with culinary training, job skills, and pathways into hospitality careers.

Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, C-CAP operates in nearly 200 schools across major U.S. cities—including Los Angeles—making this festival as meaningful as it is indulgent.

Indulgence without guilt always tastes better.

Founding Partners & Getting There

Founding partners include:

• Delta Air Lines (Official Airline)

• westdrift Manhattan Beach (Official Hotel)

• La Brea Bakery

• Manhattan Village

Complimentary parking is available, but guests are encouraged to walk, bike, or rideshare—especially after that second cocktail.

Mini FAQ: Manhattan Beach Food & Wine 2024

Q: When is Manhattan Beach Food & Wine 2024?
A: Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Q: Where is the event located?
A: Manhattan Village, 3200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA.

Q: Is this event 21+?
A: Yes, all guests must be 21 or older.

Great food, world-class talent

Manhattan Beach Food & Wine arrives this October with the confidence of a festival that knows exactly what it wants to be: coastal, chef-driven, high-quality, and fun without being fussy. If you love great food, world-class talent, and the idea of discovering your next favorite chef with sand still on your shoes, this inaugural event deserves a spot on your calendar.

Tickets go on sale July 31, 2024.
Learn more at www.ManhattanBeachFoodandWine.com and follow along on Instagram @mbfoodandwine.

The Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Inaugural All-Star Chef Lineup includes:

Event Host Chef Neal Fraser: Redbird, Vibiana – Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Chef Vartan Abgaryan: Momed – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jose Acevedo: Mercado – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Nyesha Arrington: Native By Nyesha – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Wes Avila: Ka’teen – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Joey Campanaro: Little Owl – New York City, NY

Chef Brendan Collins: Boa Steakhouse – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Sandra Cordero: Xuntos – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Chris Cosentino: Nick’s Cove – Sonoma, CA

Chef Dominique Crenn: Atelier Crenn – San Francisco, CA

Chef Dom Crisp: Lonely Oyster – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Shaun Dry: BrewCo Social – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Fred Eric: Fred62 – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Elizabeth Falkner – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Chris Feldmeier: Love & Salt – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Susan Feniger: Border Grill, Socalo – Santa Monica, CA

Chef Steven Fretz: Coast Range – Solvang, CA

Chef Rostislava Garafano: Malibu Meringue – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jeffray Gardner: Marsatta Chocolate – Old Town Torrance, CA

Chef Suzanne Goin: A.O.C. – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Ray Hayashi: Ryla – Hermosa Beach, CA

Chef Michael Hung: Palm Springs Surf Club – Palm Springs, CA

Chef Ruffo Ibarra: Oryx Restaurante – Tijuana, Mexico

Chef Jackson Kalb: Jemma, Ospi, Jame – Los Angeles

Chef David LeFevre: Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, The Arthur J, AttaGirl – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Lord Maynard Llera: Kuya Lord – Los Angeles

Chef Antonia Lofaso: Black Market Liquor Bar, Scopa Italian Roots, DAMA – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Bernhard Mairinger: Lustig – Culver City

Chef Chris Park: The Strand House – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Steve Samson: Rossoblu, Superfine – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Aarón Sánchez: Johnny Sánchez, Showbird, Adobo Cantina – New Orleans

Chef David Schlosser: Shibumi – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Warren Schwartz: Magpies Softserve – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Alex Seidel: Mercantile Dining & Provisions, Fruition – Denver, CO

Chef Jimmy Shaw: Loteria Grill – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Hiroshi Shima: Sushi Roku – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Matthew Stowe: JOEY Restaurants – Vancouver, BC Canada

Chef Jet Tila – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Johnny Tran: Intercrew – Koreatown Los Angeles, CA

Chef Dustin Trani: J. Trani’s, Trani’s Dockside Station – San Pedro, CA

Chef Sherry Yard: Bakery by the Yard – Manhattan Beach, CA

This year’s Manhattan Beach Food & Wine event beneficiary is Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, C-CAP is a workforce development nonprofit that provides underserved teens pathways to pursue careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  Annually, C-CAP provides culinary, job and life skills in 186 schools across the United States across the entire state of Arizona, as well as in Baltimore, Camden, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City & Long Island, Newark, Philadelphia, suburban Maryland, and Washington DC.

This year’s Founding Partners include Delta Airlines as the official Airline, westdrift Manhattan Beach as the official Hotel, La Brea Bakery as the Bakery and Manhattan Village as the official Shopping and Dining Center.

Ticket Information: The Inaugural Manhattan Beach Food & Wine will take place on Friday, October 11^th, 2024, and Saturday, October 12^th, 2024, and this is a 21+ event. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Regular Admission will be from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets are on sale starting Wednesday, July 31^st, 2024. For more information on the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, please visit www.ManhattanBeachFoodandWine.com.

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services such as taxis, Uber, and Lyft, as the event serves alcoholic beverages. Walking and biking to the event is encouraged, with complimentary parking also available at Manhattan Village.

Follow Manhattan Beach Food & Wine for the latest updates on:

Facebook:  @ManhattanBeachFood&Wine

Instagram:  @mbfoodandwine

TikTok: @mbfoodandwine

Manhattan Beach Food & Wine

Manhattan Village

3200 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

www.ManhattanBeachFoodandWine.com