Some of the biggest names in the culinary industry will be gathering in one of the most beautiful locations in California from April 4-7 for the 6th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.

Chefs, winemakers and luminaries from around the country will make the trek to the Monterey Peninsula for a weekend of food (and drink) indulgence. This year’s event carries special meaning for those in the Bay Area as the festival will pay tribute to Cecilia Chiang on Friday night. Chiang is considered the “grand dame” of Chinese cuisine in America after opening The Mandarin in San Francisco in 1968. Scheduled to plate at the multi-course event honoring Chiang are Bay Area chefs Tyler Florence, Nancy Oakes and Belinda Leong. Daniel Boulud and Jeff Cerciello will also be preparing dishes throughout what should be a memorable evening. It’s a busy month for Chiang as she is also being honored by the James Beard Foundation and a documentary by director Wayne Wang about her life is set to be put to the big screen.

While some of the events at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival have already sold out, there are plenty of options for those looking to make it a weekend, or just enjoy an event or two. From cooking demonstrations with Guy Fieri and Fabio Viviani to wine events celebrating rieslings and champagne to grand tastings on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Thursday night, there will be an exclusive screening of the documentary SOMM, which chronicles the lives of four candidates as they try to pass the Master Sommelier exam.

The event is truly one of the giants in the world of food festivals. We’ll be on the scene covering the sights and the sounds, with coverage to follow.

Photo Credit: Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival, via Facebook

• Tag: Best of, Cecilia Chiang, Celebrity Chefs, Cocktails, Demos, dinners, events, Grand Tastings, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, wine