The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival, taking place Nov. 9 and 10, is proud to welcome a growing list of celebrity chefs to its roster.
“Working each year with amazing, talented and world renown chefs is a great privilege,” says festival Executive Producer Jeff Hocker, known for his long expertise in event production and the culinary arts. “Each of our chefs has excelled in the culinary world and have built enterprises that span the country and international cuisine landscape.”
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, an Emmy Award-winning public television host, best‐selling cookbook author, successful restaurateur and owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business, will be one of this year’s headliners. Bastianich has co-authored, with her daughter Tanya, numerous cookbooks and companion books showcased on her television series “Lidia’s Italy in America” and “Lidia’s Italy.” Her most recent book is Lidia’s From our Family Table to Yours, which was released in October 2023, a companion to her new 26-part public television series, “Lidia’s Kitchen.”
Dara Yu is a 21-year-old Los Angeles native chef. Her career started in the MasterChef Junior kitchen at age 12, where she placed as runner-up in season one. Following her run on MasterChef Junior, she began staging at restaurants in her quest to continue perfecting the craft of cooking.
She’s spent time in kitchens such as AOC, Bouchon Bakery, Annisa and Tasting Kitchen as well as being a part of the opening team of Dominique Ansel Bakery LA at the age of 16. She continued her education at the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, where she graduated with a high honors degree in baking and pastry arts.
Shortly after graduating, she went on to compete on season 12 of MasterChef “Back to Win” and emerged as the winner.
You may recognize Chef Joe Sasto from his win on the Food Network’s “Chopped” and his time competing on NBC’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef All-Stars.”
He was recently recognized by Food Network for its first-ever “Hot List” of 2022. Sasto has become very popular via the social media landscape with more than 20 million likes and countless viral videos. Sasto is a re-occurring judge, host and chef personality across Food Network and an All-Star competitor for shows such as “Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.” He has also developed a high-end customizable pasta and pizza tool line with well-known knife maker and blacksmith Doghouse Forge.
Sasto recently launched a puffed pasta snack, entitled Tantos, which launched in 2023. He is also currently writing his first cookbook.
“Participating in the Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival is an honor,” Sasto says. “I look forward to sharing my passion for food with festival-goers.”
New this year, Michael Green has been brought on as the festival’s wine director. Green is a long-time friend and business associate who brings his special talents to the event’s new premium wine seminars.
Green is a highly sought-after event host, curator of food and wine and television personality with numerous appearances on MSNBC, CNN, the Today Show and Food Network.
The event will raise funds for The Society of Fellows/The Culinary Institute of America; Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Palm Springs Chapter; and DAP Health.
The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival would not be possible without the support of the City of Palm Springs, Bright Event Rentals, KESQ News Channel 3, All-Clad, Volvo Palm Springs, Stella Artois, Maker’s Mark, Prime Time Produce, Stolzle Lausitz, Chill Bar Palm Springs and Reforma, Town Real Estate and Stars Travel, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, AAA, Costco Wholesale, Palm Springs Disposal, Thompson Palm Springs, The Colony Palms, 420 Bank Dispensary and Lounge, Mike Thompson RV Super Stores, Phyllis Eisenberg, Kerry Hendrix and Eric Flora of Capstone Partners.
Media partners include Los Angeles Magazine, Locale Magazine, KCBS 740 AM, KESQ News Channel 3, MeTV Radio 103.1 FM, KGAY 106.5 FM and 92.1 FM, Gay Desert Guide, Desert Charities News, CV Independent, The Desert Sun, Marker Broadcasting, Alpha Media, The Standard Magazine, Desert Business Association, Visit Palm Springs, Visit Greater Palm Springs and more to be announced soon.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit palmspringsfoodandwine.org.
Jeff Hocker is the publicist and marketing consultant for the Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Food & Wine to feature celebrity chefs Nov. 9-10
