Have you marked your calendar for SF CHEFS July 27th-August 4th? Okay, good. The event takes over Union Square, and this year marks the fifth anniversary of the fabulous fête. The Grand Tasting Tent is where it’s at, with chefs from all over the Bay Area serving some fantastic dishes alongside beer, wine, and cocktails from local shakers and makers. Each event includes chefs from more than 25 restaurants including Baker & Banker, A16, Aziza, Morimoto Napa, Pizzeria Delfina, Hard Water, Hog & Rocks, and Hakkasan.
The tasting tent events kick off Friday August 2nd at 6:30pm with an Opening Celebration to toast to the event’s fifth anniversary. On Saturday, the focus during the day is on the Five Tastes: Bitter, Sour, Salty, Sweet, and Umami, exploring the five tastes and how they play together. On Saturday night, catch Decadence After Dark, the Menu Is in the Music, which will be inspired by music and feature lots of the chefs’ favorite bands and tracks. Sunday during the day, it’s Brunch by the Bay, which celebrates brunch in all its glory, from French pastries to dim sum. To get the full details and lineup for each event, head here and get ready for some serious eating. Grand Tasting Tent events start at $140 general admission and $112 for Visa Signature cardholders; VIP tickets and weekend passes are also available.
Not done yet? Didn’t think so. There are also after-parties for those who like to keep their gluttony going into the wee hours. On Friday August 2nd, check out the Rollin’ with the Red Carpet after-party at E&O Asian Kitchen at 10pm. On Saturday August 3rd, check out the Late-Night Luxury after-party at Bluestem Brasserie, starting at 10pm. After-party tickets are $65 general admission and $52 for Visa Signature cardholders.
Now get ready for all the classes, demonstrations, and parties that accompany the Grand Tasting Tent events. The classes are reasonably priced at $35-$50 ($28-$40 for Visa Signature cardholders), and you can see the full list and details here. Here is just a sampling:
DIY Cocktail Mixers, where you’ll learn how to make your own syrups, bitters, and other cocktail mixers, is happening on Saturday August 3rd at 11:30am.
Seven Percent Solution Tasting features the other seven percent—of wines, that is. Ninety-three percent of all the wine grapes grown in California are the same eight varieties, but this tasting is all about the rest of the varieties grown in our fair state. Saturday August 3rd at 4:30pm.
This Is How I Roll: Indian, Afghan, and Chinese Flatbreads explores the wide world of flatbread. Learn how to roll your own, and sample some delicious recipes. Sunday August 4th at 10am.
There are also some major parties going down, including the Masters of Their Craft dinner at Prospect, which celebrates female chefs and sommeliers hosted by Nancy Oakes and Pam Mazzola, and including such ladies as April Bloomfield, Dominique Crenn, and Melissa Perello. The dinner takes place on Sunday July 28th and costs $450 per person.
There are tons more, too, and this is one of the biggest food events to hit San Francisco every year. Don’t forget that Visa Signature cardholders get a discount on ticket purchases, and check out the full list of events here.
Chefs raise their knives at SF Chefs 2011. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
Event Info
Saturday Jul 27, 2013 – Sunday Aug 4, 2013 Varies Varies
