Multiple James Beard Award-winning Chef Sherry Yard operates Bakery by The Yard in Manhattan Beach.
For Saturday night at Manhattan Beach Food & Wine she is offering savory, house-baked bagel chips with smoked salmon and a smear, and, later in the evening, “My Mini Pies.”
“Festival Founder & Producer Shelby Russell and Culinary Curator & Host Chef Neal Fraser have orchestrated the return of the 3rd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, Southern California’s premier luxury coastal culinary festival. Taking place on Friday, September 25, 2026, and Saturday, September 26, 2026, the eagerly anticipated two-night celebration introduces an All-Star Chef Lineup and debut at its exciting new home, westdrift Manhattan Beach, an Autograph Collection Hotel.”
“Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of one of America’s most beautiful cities, Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is a spectacular two-night strolling culinary extravaganza with two Grand Tasting Celebrations on Friday, September 25, 2026, and Saturday, September 26, 2026. Each evening will bring together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of the best chefs and restaurants each night, illustrious wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, live entertainment, and much more.”
“Tickets are on sale now for the 3rd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine and guests are encouraged to purchase early and begin planning an unforgettable weekend of world-class culinary experiences, exceptional wines and spirits, luxury accommodations, and the relaxed sophistication of beautiful Manhattan Beach. Exclusive Hotel Packages at westdrift Manhattan Beach are also available, inviting guests to stay, sip, savor, and experience Southern California’s premier luxury coastal culinary festival all weekend long.”
Special Offer: At Checkout type “Andy26” in Promo Code Box for a Discount.
The Wife & the Somm is one of the Friday night participating restaurants in Manhattan Beach Food & Wine. Co-owner, Wife, and Pastry Chef Christy Lucchese joins us with her rolling pin in hand.
Chef Stéphane Tréand, M.O.F. Patisserie is a native of France and international pastry shop consultant. Chef Stéphane holds the prestigious title of M.O.F. Patisserie (Meilleur Ouvier de France), meaning “Best Craftsman in France” and was named World Pastry Champion in 2008. He has served as pastry chef at numerous bakeries and resorts and also is a seasoned instructor in France and the U.S.
A popular, repeat presenter at the Big Island Chocolate Festival, Chef Stéphane provides a demonstration on why it is beneficial for cacao growers and chocolate makers to understand the importance of tempering chocolate. On Saturday, he will present an engaging demonstration on Constructing a Chocolate Showpiece, which is artistically displayed at the festival’s evening gala. It’s always an eye-popper. Chef Stéphane takes a break from tempering chocolate to join us.
“With a precise palate and a commitment to the chocolate craft, Guittard Chocolate Company (Burlingame, CA – based) has crafted the world’s best chocolate for five generations. Guittard sources single origins for their exclusive flavors and attributes and customize blends and formulas to deliver a premium chocolate experience.”
“The extensive Guittard Chocolate line includes delicious baking, eating and drinking chocolate for professionals and home cooks.” They even have a state-of-the-art chocolate studio in Los Angeles devoted to educating culinary professionals and overseen by an internationally acclaimed Pastry Chef and Chocolatier.
“Whether you’re looking for an exciting tasting journey or the perfect 70% for a favorite recipe, Guittard has a chocolate for you.”
5th generation Family member Clark Guittard is our guest.
It’s that time of the year where we eagerly break bread with Legends Executive Chef Dennis Radcliffe to chat about what’s new in salivating food and beverage options at Angel Stadium.
This year there are newly created Casa Modelo stands serving Birria and Veggie Quesadillas. Ther always popular Brewery X has a host of new menu items. A new dessert item that’s already attracting a lot of deserved attention is Walk Off Waffles (Section 232) featuring decadent Strawberries & Cream Waffles and S’mores Waffles.
Pastry Chef L.A. Tracy teases us with the descriptions of a pair of newly available beer floats she created for Brewery X. It’s Mango Baja Boi Float and Dublin My Vision Float. Dublin My Vision also is available in a non-alcoholic variation. Cheers!
Chef Dennis Radcliffe takes a break from his busy kitchens to join us along with Pastry Chef Tracy.
The talented Culinary Team at the Fairmont Orchid is one of the returning participating restaurants in the Saturday Night Gala at the Big Island Chocolate Festival. They are preparing both savory and sweet chocolate items.
“The vistas alone are worth a leisurely evening at Brown’s Beach House, The Fairmont Orchid’s AAA Four Diamond signature restaurant. Perched above Pauoa Bay, the celebrated fine dining venue takes in one of the island’s most spectacular sunset panoramas.”
Representing the Fairmont Orchid is their Executive Sous Chef Daniel Sampson who is also an acclaimed pastry chef. Chef Daniel holds the honor of being Pastry Chef of The Year 2019 by ACF Kona Kohaha Chefs Association.
The Ranch Restaurant in Anaheim is, again, available for full service dine-in for lunch and dinner on an open-air patio and with inside dining (at a reduced capacity) with proper social distancing between tables. To-Go meals are also on the menu.
The Ranch Restaurant features true American regional cuisine. It’s cooking from scratch with the finest ingredients possible to capture the rustic style of wine country and the freshest flavors of the farm. The Ranch honors California’s great ranches, farms and dairies, the artisan bread bakers and cheese and wine makers. Their seasonally driven menu showcases the freshest produce in season – as nature intended. The emphasis is on farm to table, fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables from local farms and from The Ranch’s own ranch in the Santa Ana Mountains.”
“In the kitchen, brothers Michael Rossi (Executive Chef) and Dave Rossi (Pastry Chef) create menus that journey between classic dishes and elevated interpretations of global fare.”
Executive Chef Michael Rossi joins us from The Ranch.
Glasspar in Dana Point celebrated its first year in business last week. “Having navigated a year unlike any other, Chef-Owner Rob Wilson now enters into his second year with renewed optimism as he has launched a reimagined Wednesday and Saturday afternoon seafood market from Noon to 4:00 p.m. while the ban on dine-in remains in effect.”
Pre-batched Holiday cocktails are also on the Glasspar Seafood Market menu. Bottles of wine from Glasspar’s cellar are available with a 30 per cent discount from the list pricing.
Guests have the opportunity to buy the freshest seafood at better-than-supermarket prices. Available seafood includes Alaskan King Crab Legs, Local Swordfish, Ahi Tuna, Oysters, Salmon, Scallops and more.
As an added treat Glasspar’s pastry chef, Jasmine Bishop, bakes special sweet treats for each seafood market day. (The proceeds benefit Chef Jasmine, a wonderful gesture.)
“Glasspar (in normal times) is a classic American seafood hall – redefined. Executive Chef and Owner Rob Wilson presents a menu that is thoughtfully sourced, respectfully prepared, and creatively presented. Glasspar is the best of both coasts, delivering a true East Coast-style seafood dining hall brought to the West coast and given an elevated fresh California artisanal feel.”
The Kirsh Baking Company of Long Beach launched in May. The mail order bakery concentrates on creating masterfully made cookies. The founders are the husband and wife duo, Pastry Chef Uyen (Nguyen) Kirshenbaum and Jeff Kirshenbaum also a hospitality veteran. Like many who were furloughed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kirshenbaums are now pouring their energy into their passion, transforming what were once special-order cookies for those in the know, into a full-fledged business. Chef Uyen’s signature cookies are available for mail order by the dozen.
The line of “Jeff’s Cookies” are a tribute to Chef Uyen’s painstaking efforts to create the perfect gluten and dairy free cookie for her husband. Although she reveled in the reactions of friends, family and other chefs who were shocked to learn her Double Chocolate Chip cookies were dairy and gluten free, the secret is out now! Cookies are carefully packaged by the dozen in beautiful gift boxes.
The Classics line of fresh-baked cookie flavors includes Salted Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, PB Chocolate, Vanilla Lavender and Lemon Poppy.
“Chef Uyen Kirshenbaum’s career in pastry began with training at the internationally acclaimed culinary institute, Ecole Lenotre in Paris and includes such celebrated establishments as Patisserie Gaulupeau in Versailles, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak in Las Vegas, and Guy Savoy‘s first American restaurant at Caesar’s Palace. Chey Uyen became the first female Pastry Chef to lead Savoy’s team, and the restaurant garnered Two Michelin Stars in its first year. In 2015 Chef Uyen joined the team at Chef David LeFevre’s trio of Manhattan Beach restaurants as Executive Pastry Chef of The Arthur J, Manhattan Beach Post and Fishing with Dynamite.”
Chef Uyen takes a pause from mixing cookie dough to join us.
“Creating baked goods for everyone can be a challenge—from dairy intolerances to gluten-free lifestyles, peanut allergies to vegan diets, there are so many factors to consider when trying to come up with something to bake for a friend’s birthday, bake sale, holiday, or just to give someone a treat. Luckily, Angela Garbacz, the chef and owner of Goldenrod Pastries in Lincoln, Nebraska, felt the same way, and in Perfectly Golden: Adaptable Recipes for Sweet and Simple Treats she provides inclusive recipes that are meant to fit any lifestyle, regardless of dietary restrictions.”
“In Perfectly Golden,” Angela puts all the personality, fun, joy, and enthusiasm she puts into her bakery, and she gives the tips and tricks that she has accrued over 20 years of professional baking experience. Rather than just giving the measurements and baking times, Angela’s goal is to have you learn about the process—such as understanding that cookie dough should feel soft but not sticky, or a yeast dough should feel impossibly fluffy.”
“She gives notes on ingredients like flax eggs and non-dairy milks, helps you understand the varieties of gluten-free flours, and she even provides baking tips for troubleshooting information before you’ve started the recipe. Her tips on yeast doughs include understanding when they’re ready to bake, and how to encourage rising. She shares her trick for how to save a cake batter that’s become too thick, after explaining why that sometimes happens, and she explains why some cakes cool in their pans and why some need to be unmolded quickly.”
Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz is our guest, whisk in hand.