Annual I Love Poke Festival Is Back For Its 12th Year…And Sold Out!

The Annual I Love Poke Festival & Competition, a tasting event and poke competition, is back for its 12th year at the Bali Hai. This special day will feature island-inspired fare created by 20+ of San Diego‘s finest chefs and restaurants.

11 years of success and still counting

I Love Poke Festival & Competition has been a success 11 years and counting, mirroring the friendly competition often seen at potlucks, where relatives vie to outdo each other!

From the very beginning, the event has been arranged in the same spirit as any family-style gathering they’ve ever organized. They invite chef friends who resonate with their passion for island food and culture, and this shared excitement encourages the chefs to craft the best dishes possible.

Bali Hai is not only just the venue for I Love Poke, but a partner in the local Hawaiian food community for over 6 decades. The perfect team to continue to “deepen” the I Love Poke experience year after year! 

Who will be this year’s champion?

A panel of judges full of professional chefs, food writers, and local celebrities will be judging all entries to crown an I Love Poke Champion at the end of the event!

I Love Poke Festival Competitors

Bali Hai Restaurant, Herb & Sea, Mahealani’s, Chef Billy Butters, Da Kines, Blue Water Seafood, Kairoa Brewing Co., Guahan Grill, Sushi on a Roll, Island Mike’s Poke, Sushi Me Rollin, Rolled Up SD, and Lime in the Coconut.

Foodland Participants (Non-Poke)

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, Lia’s Lumpia, All Things UBE, Hoonanicakes, Hodads, Kaiju Pizza, Mama’s Famous Butter Mochi, Musubi, and Bali Hai Restaurant.

See you there!

For more info and to purchase tickets, please visit here.

Bali Hai Restaurant is located at 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106.

A big MAHALO to all of you who have attended this event year after year.

See you there, San Diego!

Share This Event
Event Details
  • Start Date
    May 23, 2023 6:00 pm
  • End Date
    May 23, 2023 9:00 pm
  • Status
    All done
  • Location
  • Venue
    • Bali Hai Shelter Island
  • Address
    2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106
  • Tickets
Event Map
The Latest
Evgeniya Golik art exhibition at Sparks Gallery
Step into a world where fantasy intertwines with reality at Sparks Gallery, as they unveil the enchanting works of Russian-born artist Evgeniya Golik. Known for...
The Conrad Shows
La Jolla Music Society (LJMS)’s annual Community Arts Open House will return to The Conrad, along with shows and concerts by the Junction Trio, cellist...
Comic-Con Museum new exhibits
The Comic-Con Museum announced three upcoming exhibits during the WonderCon panel. These exhibits will feature the famous Betty Boop, award-winning comic creator, and Afrofuturist John...
Prohibition Lounge San Diego
Prohibition Lounge, the popular speakeasy from the creative minds of GBOD Hospitality Group, will celebrate Star Wars Day with themed specialty cocktails and a tattoo...
Progressive Hedonist With Dana Cowin and 31ThirtyOne
Dana Cowin, with her 21-year reign as the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine magazine, completely revolutionized the culinary media landscape. Now, with the launch of...
Union Hall Gallery Inaugural Exhibition
Union Hall Gallery, a new community arts space in Golden Hill is thrilled to announce the inaugural exhibition, “The Art of Experience,” in partnership with...
Event Details
  • Start Date
    May 23, 2023 6:00 pm
  • End Date
    May 23, 2023 9:00 pm
  • Status
    All done
  • Location
  • Venue
    • Bali Hai Shelter Island
  • Address
    2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106
  • Tickets
Upcoming Events
Frontwave Arena
September 17, 2024
8:00 pm
Prepare for a pop concert-style spectacle showcasing the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Simone Biles and an exceptional squad of select dancers, embodying a...
San Diego Padres
July 13, 2024
10:00 am
  • East Village San Diego
The East Village Association invites the community to join them in celebrating the 12th Annual East Village Block Party! Taking place on J Street from...
California Wine Festival Carlsbad
June 28, 2024
6:30 pm
  • Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
The California Wine Festival, a nationally recognized event series, is proud to announce its return in 2024 to celebrate over 20 years of bringing attention...
Martin Short new mayor Funner CA
May 13, 2024
11:00 am
  • Harrah’s Resort SoCal
Harrah’s Resort Southern California has announced that iconic comedian and actor, Martin Short, will be sworn in as Funner’s next mayor on Monday, May 13, 2024....
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
May 10, 2024
3:00 pm
  • Embarcadero Marina Park North
  • Seaport Village
Great news, music lovers….the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival is charting a highly anticipated comeback! Following successful collaborations with the Port of San Diego and...
Event Search: