Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/884376
EVENT RECAP 54 / the tasting panel / october 2017 T he inaugural Pacific Wine & Food Classic welcomed thousands of passionate foodies and wine connoisseurs to experience an extraordinary epicurean weekend on August 19 and 20 in Newport Beach, California. Gourmands sipped their way through an amazing lineup of more than 100 top wine brands from American and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and also sampled fabulous bites from more than 40 of Orange County's finest restaurants. The festival featured wine seminars and a mixology course with industry experts Ira Norof (Director of Education for SGWS California); Stewart Prato (Director, Maisons Marques & Domaines for California); Eric Entrikin, MS (Director of Wine Education for SGWS California); Kim Beto (Vice President of Key Accounts for SGWS California); and Tricia Carr (Director of Mixology for SGWS). Live culinary demonstrations with local chefs were hosted by Food Network star Simon Majumdar. Cocktail enthusiasts strolled along the shore while enjoying handcrafted cocktails with Absolut Elyx, Maker's Mark, Patrón Tequila, and Bacardi rum. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort provided the setting for the festival, with sips and bites directly on the Back Bay sand, and Southern California weather and beachy music made for the perfect vibe throughout the weekend—all but confirming this will be a mainstay for many Newport summers to come. Leanne Chau is the Marketing Director for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort provided the perfect setting for the inaugural Pacific Wine & Food Classic. PHOTO: CHRISTIAN SOSA Sips on the Shore SOUTHERN GLAZER'S WINE & SPIRITS AND AMERICAN WINE & SPIRITS HOST THE FIRST ANNUAL PACIFIC WINE & FOOD CLASSIC by Leanne Chau PHOTO: GOLDEN FOODIE Delicious bites, like the octopus aguachile from Taco Rosa, were on hand to accompany the cocktails.