Nearly every event on Monterey County's jam-packed calendar features a collection of culinary creations and wine celebrations reflective of the destination's people, culture and agriculture. A handful of events, though, are dedicated primarily to gastronomical pleasures.
For die-hard foodies, Pebble Beach Food and Wine in April matches 200 acclaimed wineries with 60 celebrity chefs for a weekend of wine and beverage tastings, cooking demonstrations and some of the most exclusive, unique dining opportunities available in the world.
Learn the ins and outs of sustainable seafood at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's gourmet event, Cooking for Solutions. The two-day fête spotlights celebrity chefs, selected and recognized for their leadership in promoting cuisine that protects the health of the ocean and soil, as they create cutting edge dishes, host food and wine adventures, and present cooking demonstrations that feature sustainable seafood and organic ingredients.
Showcasing Monterey County wines and local restaurants, the Valley of the World Wine and Food Festival held in Salinas in January has become a favorite. The event features wine makers' dinners and an elegant Grand Finale tasting. Similarly, September's Taste of the Valley Food and Wine Show invites visitors to sample fresh new recipes from the farms and ranches of the Salinas Valley in partnership with local restaurants and wineries.
The Monterey Greek Festival invites visitors to go Greek over Labor Day weekend. Held in Monterey's historic Custom House Plaza near Old Fisherman's Wharf, the festival's aroma of pork, lamb, chicken and fresh pastries is hard to resist, along with its music, dancing and general merrimaking.
Ever tried artichoke ice cream? Here's your chance! Castroville is the Artichoke Center of the World and proudly celebrates its title at the annual Artichoke Festival. Culinary artichoke creations at the May festival include breads, soups, burritos and more. Also enjoy wine tasting, an agricultural art competition, a parade and live entertainment.
Celebrate the agricultural bounty of Monterey County and beyond, with local and regional farmers, artisan cheese makers, chefs, and winemakers every September at the Harvest: Farm-to-Table. This two-day, family-friendly event will feature a series of inspired culinary events and two grand tastings featuring approximately 100 wineries and more than 40 regional chefs.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY info@mccvb.org
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2009 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
