Highlighted by a roster of the nation’s top chefs including Alex Guarnaschelli, Curtis Stone, Mary Sue Milliken, and Zac Young, Palm Desert Food & Wine is a spectacular culinary experience featuring a diverse selection of mouth-watering eats, premium wines, hands-on cooking demonstrations, and much more.
Running from March 19-22, this annual gastronomic event is held at The Gardens on El Paseo in the heart of Palm Desert’s popular El Paseo shopping district. It begins with a variety of culinary experiences throughout the valley, followed by a James Beard gourmet four-course luncheon, Celebrity Chef reception, and two days of Grand Tastings, where you can enjoy some of the most delicious offerings from local and regional restaurants and sample more than 60 wines or craft brews. Here are all the delectable details:
Exploring Italian Cheese and Wine
Discover the secrets of perfect pairings as Afrim Pristine, a maître fromager (certified cheese master) and co-owner of Toronto’s renowned Cheese Boutique, takes you on a journey through the art of cheesemaking and wine pairing. Fellow Canadians may recognize Pristine from the Food Network Canada series Cheese: A Love Story, which follows the turophile around the world as he sniffs out the good stuff.
James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon
This year’s luncheon will be hosted by Curtis Stone, Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and TV host redefining fine dining. Joining him will be other popular chefs such as Alex
Guarnaschelli from Iron Chef, Thai Cuisine Ambassador Jet Tila, James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton, and TV personality Zac “PieCaken” Young. Proceeds from the luncheon support the James Beard Foundation who advocate for a more equitable and sustainable independent restaurant industry and FIND Food Bank which provides essential hunger-relief services across the Coachella Valley.
Celebrity Chef Reception
Party with the chefs that you know and love from TV at this exclusive cocktail soirée. Here, the festival participants aren’t secluded to a stage; rather, they’re milling around with a libation in hand, eager to meet and mingle with fellow foodies. With the full roster of 2026 Grand Tastings chefs in attendance, which includes Curtis Stone, Alex Guarnaschelli, Nancy Silverton, Jet Tila, Zac Young, and Afrim Pristine, this one-of-a-kind evening blends bold flavors, personal connections, and exceptional ambiance — setting the tone for a weekend of inspired experiences.
Grand Tastings
Grand Tastings feature delectable bites from more than 40 restaurants, created by renowned chefs from across the Coachella Valley and all of California, as well as more than 60 premium and sparkling wines, beers, and spirits. Participants can interact with the vintners and chefs to discuss their offerings.
Create the perfect pairing by adding other events to your weekend including a “Palm to Table: A Date Farm Experience”, “Pineapple Fried Rice by Jet Tila”, and “Charcuterie 101 with the Wine and Cheese Shop on El Paseo.” For more information on these and other events, and how to create the ultimate culinary experience, visit the Palm Desert Food & Wine website.
Make sure you don’t miss a single thing on your trip to Palm Desert. For additional events, be sure to visit our Calendar of Events.