RELISH Food, Wine & Spirits Experience 2026
Foodies, wine lovers and anyone who appreciates a really good meal have a new reason to clear their calendar. RELISH Food, Wine & Spirits Experience returns to Orange County October 2–4, 2026, bringing a weekend of celebrity chefs, wine and spirits, tastings, master classes, special dinners and other culinary experiences to Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
Created by celebrity chef Jamie Gwen and event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events, RELISH is designed as a multi-day culinary experience rather than a traditional food festival. Expect everything from an opening-night cocktail party and grand tasting to chef-led events, wine and cheese tastings, a collaborative dinner, Sunday brunch and a wellness experience.
RELISH Food, Wine & Spirits Experience
Dates: October 2–4, 2026
Location: Newport Beach & Costa Mesa
Main Venues: VEA Newport Beach and Park Club Costa Mesa
Address: VEA Newport Beach, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
RELISH is a ticketed event, with individual experiences and packages available. Check the official event website for current ticket options and pricing.
What to Expect at RELISH
RELISH brings together chefs, culinary personalities, wine experts and spirits professionals for a weekend of food-focused experiences. Instead of one giant tasting event, the schedule is spread across multiple events and venues, giving guests several ways to experience the weekend.
The 2026 lineup includes appearances by:
- Chef Geoffrey Zakarian
- Chef Scott Conant
- Pastry Chef Sherry Yard
- Chef Kat Turner
- Cheesemaster Afrim Pristine
- Chef Jamie Gwen
- And other culinary personalities
RELISH 2026 Schedule
Friday, October 2
5–8 PM — Opening Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting
Kick off the weekend with food, wine, spirits, cocktails and appearances from the featured culinary talent. The opening event includes a curated menu, wine tastings, cocktails and opportunities to mingle with chefs and other guests.
8 PM — RELISH After Hours
The party continues at VEA with an after-hours experience featuring music, drinks, bites and opportunities to connect with culinary personalities.
Saturday, October 3
11 AM–1 PM — Fashion + Food at ANQI at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza
Head to ANQI at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza for a food-focused event featuring Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Chef Scott Conant.
2:30–3:30 PM — The Art of Cheese & Wine
Cheesemaster Afrim Pristine leads an exploration of cheese and wine at The Park Club in Costa Mesa.
3–4:30 PM — Knife Skills Mastery
Learn the fundamentals of knife skills during this hands-on culinary experience.
5:30–10 PM — RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Chef Scott Conant and Pastry Chef Sherry Yard come together for a special multi-course dinner at The Park Club Costa Mesa.
Sunday, October 4
10 AM–12 PM — RELISH Sunday Brunch
Sunday morning brings a brunch experience featuring Chef Sherry Yard, Chef Kat Turner, Afrim Pristine and more. Expect sweet and savory dishes, interactive chef experiences and plenty of culinary creativity.
12:30–3 PM — RELISH in Wellness
The weekend wraps up with an afternoon focused on wellness, including experiences centered around movement, mindfulness, nutrition, beauty and self-care.
The Chefs & Culinary Talent
One of the biggest draws of RELISH is the opportunity to see several well-known culinary personalities gathered together in Orange County.
Geoffrey Zakarian is a chef, restaurateur, television personality and author known for his modern American cuisine and appearances on Food Network.
Scott Conant is a chef and restaurateur known for his Italian-inspired cooking and television appearances, including as a longtime judge on Chopped.
Sherry Yard is an award-winning pastry chef known for her work at Spago and her pastry expertise.
Kat Turner is a chef and restaurateur who has appeared on Top Chef and Chopped.
Afrim Pristine is a cheesemaster and owner of Toronto's Cheese Boutique, bringing his expertise in artisanal cheese to the RELISH weekend.
RELISH VIP Weekend Experience
For those looking to make a full weekend of it, RELISH offers a VIP experience that includes access to multiple events and additional perks.
The VIP package includes the Opening Night Cocktail Party, a wine tasting experience, food, wine and spirits master classes, private talent meet-and-greets, the intimate dinner experience with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Chef Scott Conant, access to RELISH After Hours, Sunday brunch and RELISH in Wellness.
VIP guests also receive reserved premium seating and special gift bags.
Where Is RELISH?
RELISH takes place across Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, with VEA Newport Beach serving as one of the primary locations and additional programming at Park Club Costa Mesa and other Orange County venues.
VEA Newport Beach: 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Who Is RELISH For?
RELISH is geared toward adults who enjoy food, wine, cocktails and chef-driven culinary experiences. It's a particularly good fit if you like trying new restaurants, learning about wine and food, attending chef demonstrations or turning a special occasion into an entire weekend.
Some events are more casual and social, while others are designed around intimate dining and educational experiences, so check the individual event descriptions when choosing your tickets.
Plan Your RELISH Weekend
You don't have to attend every event to enjoy RELISH. Choose a single experience that catches your eye, or build an entire weekend around the schedule.
From an opening-night cocktail party to a Saturday night dinner and Sunday brunch, RELISH offers plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and discover something new right here in Orange County.
RELISH Food, Wine & Spirits Experience takes place October 2–4, 2026, in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
Check the official RELISH website for the latest schedule, ticket information and event updates before attending. Featured photo courtesy of RELISH.
