Malibu Food & Wine Festival returns for three-day culinary celebration

By Barbara Burke · Sat Aug 29 2026

Celebrity chefs, local favorites, fine wines and live entertainment come together Sept. 18–20 at Saddle Rock Ranch

“Food has always been a universal language,” local renowned celebrity chef Marcel Vigneron opined as he explained the vision for the second annual Malibu Food & Wine Festival slated for Sept. 18-20 at Saddle Rock Ranch. “Food has the incredible ability to bring together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives around one table. When we embrace that diversity and build community through food, the impact reaches beyond a single meal — it strengthens our local community while creating connections that can inspire change around the world and locally.” 

Offering something for every epicurean and wine and libations connoisseur, organizers of the festival have planned a delightfully delicious three-day elevated eclectic epicurean experience that highlights local, emerging, and celebrity chefs, artisan foods, spirits, and curated non-alcoholic beverages, as well as hosting  local vendors at a marketplace and benefiting three very worthy charities.

The three-day extravaganza Malibu Food & Wine experience is the vision of a local husband-and-wife team united by a shared passion for exceptional food, meaningful partnerships, and philanthropy. The event is created by local, award-winning chef Vigernon, his wife and Culinary Director Lauren Rae Levy, a partnership director who is an entrepreneur, founder of LRL Group, and philanthropist whose expertise in strategic partnerships and community engagement helps bring the festival's mission to life.

The multi-day experience begins with a dinner on Sept. 18, hosted by Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning actor and UN Messenger of Peace Charlize Theron. Proceeds will benefit the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which works to advance the health and safety of young people throughout Southern Africa. Through funding community-based organizations, strengthening local leadership, and investing in youth-driven initiatives, CTAOP helps create opportunities for young people to thrive and become powerful agents of change within their communities.

The exclusive dining event brings together world-renowned chefs, exceptional wines, and a shared commitment to creating lasting change, Levy emphasized, noting that the evening begins with a cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., featuring tray-passed bites, live culinary demonstrations presented by Snyder Diamond showcasing Bosch technologies, handcrafted espresso drinks from Bruce's Beanz Espresso Bar, beer offerings from Sandy Brew, a company founded by Malibu local Kelly Furano that features handcrafted, plant-based beers with clean, high-quality ingredients and refreshing brews made for sunny afternoons and warm summer evenings. Guests will also enjoy music by Aviator Nation Dreamland.

The reception is followed by an intimate six-course, farm-to-table dining experience showcasing expertly curated wine pairings. The seasonal tasting menu will be created by an all-star culinary lineup featuring Vigneron, who first rose to prominence on "Top Chef" Season 2 and was most recently crowned "Last Chef Standing" on Food Network's "24 in 24." Joining Vigneron will be celebrity Chefs Andrew Zimmern, an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef; TV host Bryan Voltaggio, who has starred in numerous television shows and is known for his refined mid-Atlantic cuisine; and his brother, Michael Voltaggio, winner of Bravo’s Emmy-winning "Top Chef" (Season 6). 

Showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients, the menu will highlight premium products from culinary partners including Sea Stephanie Fish, Campo Grande, Schaller & Weber, the American Lamb Board, and Seatopia, alongside an abundance of produce sourced from local California farms. Throughout the evening, chefs, farmers, ranchers, fishers, and winemakers will share the inspiration behind each course and pairing, creating an immersive culinary experience that celebrates the connection between food, wine, and our local Malibu community. 

Guests will also receive a curated gift bag while supporting the CTAOP, making this a truly unforgettable evening where world-class dining, inspiring entertainment, and meaningful impact come together. Cocktail attire is suggested for this event for those aged 21 and older. Tickets for the first evening’s elevated epicurean experience are available at malibufoodandwine.com/friday-1.

The event’s two other evenings feature local chefs and vendors 

Readers are also invited to attend “Italian Night,” hosted by Adam Richman on Saturday, Sept. 19. “Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the flavors, traditions, and artistry of Italian cuisine at Malibu Food & Wine's Italian Night, hosted by Richman, best known as the host of 'Man v. Food.'” Levy said. “With our three-day event, we have created an unforgettable celebration of world-class chefs, remarkable wines, and charitable impact.” 

Levy noted that guests will enjoy an immersive evening featuring acclaimed chefs, premium wine pairings from renowned wine regions across California, including Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Ynez, and Malibu, live culinary demonstrations, and unlimited food and beverage, all included with admission. The night will be powered by Aviation Nation Dreamland, Malibu’s iconic music venue and restaurant, building out the Main Stage with an exciting lineup of live music, DJs, and immersive entertainment that keeps the energy high throughout the evening.

Levy shared that the evening's extraordinary chef lineup includes Mei Lin, "Top Chef" Season 12 champion and "Tournament of Champions" winner; Stephanie Izard, James Beard Award winner, Iron Chef, and the first woman to win "Top Chef"; Tobias Dorzon, former NFL player turned celebrity chef and "Tournament of Champions" All-Star Christmas finalist; Jonathan Sawyer, James Beard Award-winning chef and Season 2 winner of "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing"; Chris Oh, acclaimed Korean American chef and restaurateur featured on "Tournament of Champions"; Brian Redzikowski, featured on Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list; Rose Previte, James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and founder of Michelin recognized restaurants Maydan and Compass Rose; Spike Mendelsohn, "Top Chef" finalist and acclaimed restaurateur; and Karlo Evaristo, award winning Filipino American chef and founder of 61Hundred Bread, with more culinary talent to be included.

Levy stated that throughout the evening, guests will experience live chef demonstrations celebrating classic Italian techniques, regional specialties, and modern interpretations of beloved dishes. 

“From handmade pasta to innovative culinary creations, attendees will enjoy an up-close look at the craftsmanship and stories behind today's most celebrated chefs,” Levy shared, adding details regarding the intriguing culinary experiences that guests will enjoy, including a spectacular live bluefin tuna carving presentation by Chefs Brian Redzikowski and Nick Devries of Kettner Exchange, which is recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand distinction. “Those two renowned chefs  will offer guests a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the culinary world’s most impressive traditions,” she noted, adding that the night will also include an interactive Cannoli Bar featuring freshly filled cannoli with a variety of customizable toppings.

Local chef Oren Zyora plans to offer specialty pizzas

Local chef Oren Zyora of Papa Razzi Pizza and PitaBu will create his popular, one-of-a-kind pizzas. Malibu Times caught up with Zyora to get a heads-up about what attendees can enjoy. “I’m super flattered to be invited again to the Malibu Food and Wine Festival, as it really makes me feel included in the community and I’m so honored to work among all the great chefs,” Zyora said. “This year, we’re using Papa Razzi’s Pizza as our back kitchen, and we’re going to be cooking unique seasonal specialty pizza such as street corn pizza, peaches and cream, and of course, the James Perse black, which has four cheeses on activated charcoal dough.” Terrific!

Attendees will also enjoy featured lounges and non-alcoholic activations. There will be a specialty bar hosted by Soho House, as well as a Just Ice Tea Lounge featuring chef-curated culinary pairings by Mendelsohn, paired with Just Ice Tea's new Watermelon Lime White Tea. Guests can also enjoy a selection of crave-worthy snacks in a laid-back, après-surf-inspired lounge, the perfect spot to relax, sip, and recharge throughout the festival.

Snyder Diamond Showcase will let guests view luxury kitchen appliances from Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau. The Snyder Diamond Lounge will highlight Thermador wine refrigeration units while two acclaimed wineries from Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley pour daily tastings. Guests can also explore handcrafted, one-of-a-kind knives by Aura California, which will be featured throughout the festival in the hands of select chefs and showcased during live culinary demonstrations on the demo stage.

Those who do not imbibe can enjoy the Gaia Herbs® Non-Alcoholic Mixology Experience where guests can discover handcrafted botanical mocktails featuring Gaia Herbs' new tinctures, showcasing the art of plant-powered mixology.Rooted in decades of herbal expertise, each beverage offers a sophisticated alternative to traditional cocktails, celebrating connection, gathering, and savoring every moment.

“Attendees can also step into a one-of-a-kind experience offering the Truffle Boys, where guests can indulge in unlimited decadent truffle and caviar bites, sip premium cocktails crafted with Cazcanes Tequila, a verified additive-free tequila, and enjoy Capri Gelato & Coffee’s Espresso Martinez, Frozen Palomas, affogatos, and artisan gelato with luxurious toppings including shaved truffles and caviar,” Levy stated.

A portion of proceeds from the event on Saturday night will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, a favorite local philanthropy that supports programs that empower local youth, strengthen families, and provide no-cost mental health and wellness resources throughout the community. Malibu Food & Wine is also proud to support the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), a national nonprofit that provides underserved students with culinary arts education, scholarships, job training, and career opportunities, helping cultivate the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals.

“Come hungry, raise a glass, and experience an unforgettable evening of exceptional food, world-class wine, and Italian hospitality!” Levy said, adding that all food and beverages are included with admission and the suggested attire is Malibu-chic. Early admission is at 5 p.m. and regular admission is from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets for early admission are $250, while general admission costs $175. Tickets are available at malibufoodandwine.com/saturday-1