Musical & Culinary Artistry Converge at ‘Culinary Concerto’ to Benefit Mainly Mozart

Culinary Concerto promises an evening of unparalleled gastronomic delights and musical magic! San Diego’s own Chef Claudia Sandoval, serving as the Culinary Director for this extraordinary event, has curated a star-studded lineup of international celebrity chefs and award-winning wineries to create an unforgettable experience.

Culinary Concerto will bring together 24 amazing chefs preparing 24 unique menus tableside, with incredible pairings from 24 wineries from Paso Robles and Valle de Guadalupe.

All in perfect harmony as music plays while you enjoy an extraordinary night benefiting Mainly Mozart—the incomparable San Diego organization that, for the past 36 years, has united the community through the celebration of orchestral music, intimate concert experiences, and exceptional music education for aspiring young musicians.

Culinary Concerto 2024

Featured Chefs

The star-studded lineup includes international celebrity chefs from the United States, Mexico, and as far as Switzerland, each renowned for their culinary prowess and innovative creations. The lineup includes:

● Elias Laderach – Laderach Chocolates, Switzerland
● Pyet Despain – Next Level Chef winner and Private Chef, Los Angeles
● Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien – Graze, San Diego
● Drew Deckman – Deckmans en el Mogor, Valle de Guadalupe
● Adria Marina – Top Chef Celebrity Judge and Chef-Owner of Georgina, Tijuana
● Michelle Mathelin – Winner of MasterChef Latino, Mexico City
● Miguel Angel Guerrero – La Querencia BajaMed, Tijuana
● Ruffo Ibarra – ORYX Restaurante, Tijuana
● Aron Schwartz – APS Hospitality, San Diego
● Angelo Sosa – Tía Carmen, Phoenix
● Carlos Anthony – Herb & Wood, San Diego
● James Tahhan – 3x Emmy winner and Chef, Sabores, Miami
● Enea Sintoni – Ambrogio by Aquarello, La Jolla
● Maeve Rochford – Food Network Champion and Chef, Sugar & Scribe, La Jolla
● Marcelo Hisaki – Bocuse D’or Principal, Amores Restaurant, Tecate, MEX
● Dante Ferrero – Dante Brasa y Fuego, CDMX, MEX
● Duval Warner – Ranch 45, San Diego
● Tara Monsod – James Beard Semi-Finalist, Animae, San Diego
● Travis Swikard – Callie, San Diego
● Davin White – Sustainability Advocate Award Winner, The Plot, Oceanside
● Accursio Lota – 2017 Barilla World Pasta Champ, Cori Pastificio, San Diego
● Reyna Venegas – Team Mexico for Bocuse D’or, Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, MEX
● Andrew Bent – Bib Gourmand Winner, Papalo Papalo, La Mesa
● Pablo Carrera – Catamundi, CDMX, MEX
● Pietro Gallo – Civico 1845, San Diego

Featured Vintners

Twenty-four wineries from two featured wine regions—Paso Robles and Valle de Guadalupe—will take the culinary experience to new heights, offering incredible pairings for each menu.

Participating wineries include:

Paso Robles

● Ultima Tulie
● Mc Price Myers
● Copia
● Caelesta Vineyard
● Turtle Rock
● Serial
● Hope Family Wines
● LXV
● High Camp Wines
● Cordant Winery
● Ella’s Vineyard
● Fulldraw

Valle de Guadalupe

● Vena Cava
● Bruma Vinícola
● Adobe Guadalupe
● Casa de Quesada
● Casta de Vinos
● Cavas Valmar
● Villa Montefiori
● Concierto Enológico
● Bodegas Henri Lurton
● Lechuza
● Bodegas de Santo Tomas
● Valle de Tinto

Taking place on March 22 at the exquisite Julep Venue, the gala will be hosted by esteemed food writer, television host, and Food Network regular Troy Johnson. The evening will feature a special musical performance by award-winning Eurovision Song Contest winner Alexander Rybak, marking his first-ever public performance in San Diego.

See you there!

Tickets for the gala can be purchased here. Individual tickets are priced at $1,000, and tables of 12 are offered at $12,000, $25,000, and $50,000.

Funds raised will contribute to initiatives such as the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival, Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra, Mozart & The Mind series focused on autism research, and the cross-border initiative, Mozart Binacional, which has supported music education in Baja for the past 25 years.

To learn more about Mainly Mozart, visit the website here.

See you there, San Diego!