Festival Combines Celebrity Chefs, Wine Tastings, and Philanthropy Malibu Food & Wine, a new three-day festival co-founded by Top Chef runner-up Marcel Vigneron and entrepreneur Lauren Rae Levy, launches September 18–20 at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. The event pairs curated culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, and live entertainment with fundraising for the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu and the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP). Vigneron, who recently won Food Network's 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, and Levy, founder of LRL Group, designed the festival to unite acclaimed chefs with California vintners and local restaurants. "We create an unforgettable celebration of world-class chefs, remarkable wines, and charitable impact," the pair said in a statement.
Saturday: Italian Night Saturday's Italian Night, hosted by Adam Richman (Man v.
Food), features chefs including Stephanie Izard (James Beard Award winner, Iron Chef), Mei Lin (Top Chef Season 12 champion), Jonathan Sawyer (24 in 24: Last Chef Standing winner), Rose Previte (James Beard Award winner, Maydan and Compass Rose), and others. Highlights include a live bluefin tuna carving by Brian Redzikowski and Nick Devries, an interactive cannoli bar, and wine pairings from Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Ynez, and Malibu. Aviation Nation Dreamland powers the main stage with live music and DJs. Activations include the Just Ice Tea Lounge with chef-curated pairings by Spike Mendelsohn; the Snyder Diamond Showcase featuring Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau appliances; a Gaia Herbs Non-Alcoholic Mixology Experience; the Truffle Boys lounge with caviar and truffle bites paired with Cazcanes Tequila; and Sandy Brew Beer Garden featuring plant-based beers by Malibu local Kelly Furano. General admission runs 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM ($175); early admission starts at 5:00 PM ($250). All food and beverages are included.
Sunday: Country Cookout Sunday's Country Cookout is a family-friendly event (children 12 and under free) running 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM ($175 general admission, $250 early at noon). Chefs include Brian Malarkey (Top Chef finalist), Claudette Zepeda (James Beard semifinalist), Lee Anne Wong (24 in 24 winner), Matt Pittman (Meat Church BBQ founder and Dallas Cowboys pitmaster), and Rhoda Magbitang (Top Chef Season 22 winner). Live culinary demonstrations focus on low-and-slow barbecue and live fire cooking. The Snyder Diamond Showcase, Just Ice Tea Lounge, Gaia Herbs Mixology Experience, and Truffle Boys return. New activations include FlutterBy, an interactive butterfly exhibit for families, and Sandy Brew Beer Garden.
Charitable Focus Proceeds support the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu's youth enrichment, mental health services, and disaster recovery programs, and C•CAP's culinary education and job training for underserved students. Lauren Rae Levy serves on BGCM's board.
Why It Matters
The festival represents a growing trend of celebrity chef events tied to community giving and experiential dining. For operators, it signals consumer appetite for curated multi-day events combining education, entertainment, and philanthropy—a model gaining traction in high-income coastal markets.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
